Information for Applicants
Applications are accepted from current Postdoctoral students and Research Advisors, with participants selected by the IC Postdoc Program mentor. Review the applicant information and program details below for more information and contact ORISE with any additional questions.
Additional Information
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Eligibility and Expectations
Complete applications require both a Postdoc and a Research Advisor. Eligibility requirements for both roles are detailed below.
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For Postdocs:
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens only
- Ph.D. in a relevant field must be completed before beginning the appointment and within five years of the application deadline
- Proposal must be associated with an accredited U.S. university, college, or U.S. government laboratory
- Eligible candidates may only receive one award from the IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program.
Expectations
- Conduct two years of research on awarded topic, and an option to extend for a third year
- Coordinate with the Research Advisor
- Collaborate with IC Advisor ( will be assigned to selected postdocs)
- Publish research results, as appropriate
- Attend the annual IC Academic Research Symposium
For Research Advisors:
Eligibility
- Must be an employee of an accredited U.S. university, college or U.S. government laboratory
- Are not required to be U.S. citizens
Expectations
- Provide on-site support for the Postdoctoral Fellow
- Coordinate with the IC Advisor
- Has the option to attend the annual IC Academic Research Symposium
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Application Process
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Create and release your Profile in Zintellect – Postdoctoral applicants must first create an account and complete a profile in the Zintellect online application system. Please note: your résumé/CV may not exceed 3 pages. Any pages beyond page 3 will be removed prior to review.
Identify a research opportunity – Filter research opportunities by organization (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) in the Zintellect Opportunity Catalog and identify one or more research opportunities relevant to your research.
Apply for one or more opportunities by completing your application –The application itself contains detailed instructions for each one of these components: availability, citizenship, transcripts, abstract, publication and presentation plan, and information about your Research Advisor co-applicant. If you do not meet the requirements, you will not be able to proceed with your application. Upload your proposal and advisor information with your application. The Program will not accept proposals containing human or animal subjects without approval and verification that your research facility has an IRB.
Proposal Format
- Proposals should be 6-8 pages, including figures and citations. Any pages in excess of 8 will be removed from the application prior to review
- Standard 8.5" x 11" page size
- Single-spaced (excluding captions); using 12-point, Times New Roman font.
Proposals should include a title and should begin with a brief abstract, followed by the body of the proposal, which should contain these components: a) statement of problem, b) background and relevance to previous work, c) general methodology, procedures to be followed, and timeline for completion of each step, d) explanation of new or unusual techniques, e) expected results and their significance and application, and f) literature citations, where appropriate.
Importantly, to help ensure a selection process free of unconscious bias, do not include any personally identifiable information for yourself or your advisor in your proposal. Also, do not include in the proposal any identifying laboratory or school information.
Instead, please include this information in your resume and the advisor resume. Any relevant experience and skills that enable you personally to carry out the research should also be addressed in your resume. Any relevant information regarding your advisor’s experience and skill should be addressed in the advisor’s resume. Any relevant information regarding the school or laboratory research facility may be addressed in either resume as appropriate. Do not include contact information as part of the resumes. All contact information should be listed as requested in the online application so we can reach you.
Watch now: IC Postdoctoral Fellowship Recruitment and Information Fair | Panel Discussion: Research Proposal Writing Guidance
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Application Review Information
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Round One Review – blind review (no PPI or resume). The proposal (only) will be reviewed independently to evaluate how your proposed research addresses the research topic.
Round Two Review – Both the proposal and resume are reviewed by review board for merit and relevance.
When selection committees read fellowship proposals, they are looking for evidence that:
- the proposed activity is feasible.
- you have the necessary background and skills to carry out the work that you are proposing.
- you have clear and realistic objectives for the activity.
- you have adequately researched and prepared for your project.
- there is a professional development benefit of this research for you.
- you have proposed a novel approach or innovative research to address the topic
- you have sought guidance from experts in the field and you have the support you need to successfully carry out your research.
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Key Dates
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Date Action January 2, 2025 Research Opportunities Announced: Online Application Period Begins February 3, 2025
Research Related Question Period:
Research Related Questions Should be Directed to icpostdoc@orau.orgFebruary 28, 2025 Application Deadline 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Early-Mid May, 2025
Awards Announced:
Postdocs and Research Advisors NotifiedEarly-Mid June, 2025
Deadline for Postdoc and Research Advisor to Accept
July 2025
Deadline for Submitting Required Appointment Documentation
Connect with ORISE… on the GO!
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
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Watch now: Welcome Message from Dr. Jane Homeyer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most commonly asked by applicants.
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APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
The Program has no set number of awards.
The Program will not accept late submissions.
The application review process considers the Program's scientific research needs and priorities, the quality of applications, and the availability of funding.
You may receive only one award from the IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program. The Program does not permit a second award no matter how long ago the first award was conferred.
You may apply for an award before you complete the Ph.D., but you must complete all requirements for a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctorate degree and provide proof of that qualification before beginning your appointment. Please note that if there is a delay in your PhD completion, the program may allow a delayed start date, with pre-approval.
The award requires that the Postdoc be fully involved in the research opportunity addressed in the submitted proposal. During the appointment, the Postdoc may not receive additional awards for concurrent research.
The award requires that the Postdoc be fully involved in the research opportunity addressed in the submitted proposal. During the appointment, the Postdoc may not receive additional awards for concurrent research.
AWARD DETAILS
Appointments are for 24 months.
The Program has the discretion to fund a third year, if outlined in the original submitted proposal. All extensions are based on available funding, the status of the Postdoc’s research, and its continued relevance to the Program’s research goals.Postdocs receive an annual stipend plus a stipend supplement to off-set the cost of health insurance, whether obtained through the Program or another source.
Depending on location of the research facility, the Postdoc may receive a locality supplement based on the most recent OPM Locality Pay Tables.If your permanent address is outside of a radius of 50 miles one way from your host facility, you will be reimbursed for limited inbound dislocation expenses not to exceed $3,500 which will be calculated using the following chart. This payment is considered taxable. Be sure to read the “Taxability of Stipends and Other Payments” section in the Terms of Appointment. Your dislocation allowance will be direct-deposited into your financial account and will be paid with your first stipend payment.
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Diversity Inclusion/Culture
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Intelligence Community senior leaders believe strongly that diversity is a mission-critical imperative, essential to ensuring our Nation's security and success in the war on terror. The IC is united in protecting and preserving national security. This could not be accomplished without a talented workforce that embraces "Diversity" as a core values of its Principles of Professional Ethics for the Intelligence Community. View the IC's page on Diversity and Inclusion.
ORISE administers STEM internship and fellowship programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. The diversity of these programs enables individuals—whether undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, or faculty—to conduct collaborative research at national laboratories or one of more than a dozen federal agency partners nationwide. Interested applicants can review and apply to hundreds of postings for paid internships and fellowships that best meet their individual career interests and educational advancement needs on Zintellect. Recruiting/Outreach events, including a focus on enhancing connections and recruitment for underrepresented groups, are offered regularly by ORISE to provide candidates the opportunity to speak with program staff, mentors, and current/alumni participants to learn more.
ORISE champions diversity, promotes creativity, rewards excellence, and encourages respect and an acceptance of differences. To support this commitment, ORISE operates a strong diversity program that includes training, educational programs, and awareness events for its employees and the community and is dedicated to recruiting and preparing the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.