ORISE contract with U.S. Department of Energy extended through Sept. 30, 2026

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.— Officials with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science have signed a one-year extension of ORAU’s contract to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through September 30, 2026.

ORAU has managed ORISE since 1992. The existing contract was awarded in 2016 and included a five-year base period with the potential for five additional years based on satisfactory performance. ORISE has typically achieved high marks in its Performance Evaluation and Measurement Plan (PEMP) scores, which are a key performance indicator of the contract.

The one-year extension demonstrates that ORISE is meeting and exceeding DOE’s needs, said Keri Cagle, ORISE director. “We manage world-class programs like the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site as well as vital programs in STEM workforce development, among others,” Cagle said. “The contract extension is a vote of confidence from DOE that we are the mission partner they need at this time.”

ORISE was created in 1992 to focus the multiple programs under a DOE contract, although ORAU also does work for other federal agencies.

ORISE supports DOE's missions and works closely with other DOE institutions — notably Oak Ridge National Laboratory — to develop partnerships with universities and help advance science education in the United States. ORISE also is engaged in worker health studies and plays a role in evaluating claims for the sick nuclear workers compensation program and provides independent verification of cleanup activities taking place at radioactive sites around the country.