SPP Sponsor Information Information about research participation programs for existing and potential SPP sponsors

Project assignments should be STEM focused and provide the participant with opportunities to receive hands-on experience that complements his/her educational and professional background and helps the participant gain knowledge in areas related to the Sponsor’s mission. The program is not intended to provide workers to augment your organization’s staffing. Therefore, project activities should be appropriate for an education and training program. Participants should not supervise or mentor federal employees or federal contractor staff; have budget, program management or signature authority; carry an official job title; or function in any way as a representative of the federal government.

The schedule/pattern of participation is established by the participant and the mentor, and generally coincides with the operating hours of the assigned facility. Mentors should discuss expectations and schedule with their participants prior to the appointment start date. Since the participant is not an employee, no provisions are made for overtime pay.

Telecommuting is typically a benefit of employment and is not a benefit for participants in a non-employee research participation program.

ORISE programs offer a competitive stipend and may offer (depending on the program) on-station travel, facility inbound/outbound reimbursement, relocation/moving allowance, housing allowance, and health insurance.

Stipend payments

Participants will receive a stipend to defray their living and other expenses during this educational experience. Stipends are not considered compensation for services rendered by participants—there are no salaries or fringe benefits paid. The Sponsor determines and provides funding amounts for participants. ORISE handles the logistical administration of stipends.

Travel costs

Most sponsors provide some amount of money as a travel budget to each participant based on the academic level and project assignment. ORISE handles participant travel arrangements and payments.

Health insurance

All participants are required to have health insurance while appointed, and must provide proof of health insurance. Participants have the option to obtain health insurance offered through ORISE.

The Sponsor may also elect to confer a health insurance supplement to the participant’s stipend to defray the cost of health insurance.

ORISE does not allow awards in the form of monetary compensation. The Sponsor may, however, recognize a participant with non-monetary awards, such as recognition in a group meeting or other forums at your facility.

Participants in the ORISE program are not employees, as such, they are not entitled to annual/personal or medical/sick leave. Programs may choose to implement guidelines and policies for ORISE participants with their agency. Absences are not tracked or regulated by ORISE, therefore all questions and concerns pertaining to absenteeism must be directed to the participant’s mentor or program coordinator. All absences are at the discretion of the mentor and program coordinator.

In cases where assignments require a security clearance, the Sponsor is responsible for obtaining clearances for participants. Participants who are not U.S. citizens but are selected by the Sponsor should anticipate possible delays in their appointments.

The U.S. Department of Energy has extended the use of the ORISE contract to its strategic partners, including federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

A Secondary Sponsor who is affiliated with the primary sponsor can fund participants by citing the same DOE agreement that the primary sponsor does, so long as the Primary Sponsor provides written approval to ORISE, and as long as the secondary sponsor assigns a Program Coordinator to supervise appointments at the Secondary Sponsor’s location.

If the Secondary Sponsor’s use of the program grew to a large number of participants, then ORISE may suggest that the Secondary User establish its own DOE project.

The sponsor defines the mechanism for approval at their end. Most ORISE agreements are approved by the Chief Scientist, by the Director of the facility at which the research is conducted, or by the Program Coordinator who initiated the program with ORISE.

ORISE provides strategy and expertise in the design of the program. ORISE coordinates directly with the Sponsor to establish the program; administer the program in accordance with the approved guidance from the Sponsor; publish the program’s policies and procedures; report on program activities; and review program objectives and operating procedures.

ORISE publicizes the availability of opportunities in the program and recruits participants for the program.

It is the Sponsor’s responsibility to identify mentors for their program. Mentors must be full-time employees of the Sponsor research facility, university, or host facility. 

It is the responsibility of the Sponsor to ensure that all mentors have completed the required ORISE training.

Foreign citizen participation is up to the sponsor. Sponsors should consult with their legal office as to whether the program will permit foreign citizens to participate (many agencies do permit foreign citizens participation, and ORISE becomes the J-1 sponsor for those participants). 

High school students may participate. If the student is under the age of 18, all legal guardians must provide written permission. ORISE has specific appointment processes for students under the age of 18.

All appointments are contingent on the availability of funds of the Sponsor. Participation may be defined either as full-time or part-time. The duration of the appointment may be defined in weeks, months, years, or academic terms or semesters.

The participant is required to submit a final report at the end of their appointment. This report should include an abstract of the research accomplished, and will be used by the Sponsor and ORISE to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The final stipend payment is contingent upon receipt of the final report.

Mentors should:

• Develop a training plan for the participant, including the areas of participation in the research project, attendance in meetings, conferences, special courses, etc.
• Clearly define the activities in which the participant will be involved. Let the participant know your expectations for research progress, professional behavior, compliance, attendance, etc.
• Assist the participant in getting settled into your facility and becoming a productive member of your facility’s community.
• Provide the appropriate materials, equipment, safety training, technical and clerical support, and office space for the participant to conduct the project.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance and advice.
• Be accessible.
• Periodically review the status of the participant’s activities and give appropriate feedback.
• Contact ORISE if a stipend payment needs to be adjusted due to an adjusted schedule, an unpaid absence, or an early termination.
• Assist in preparation of participant’s renewal request or final reports and make recommendations on extension of appointment.
• Contact ORISE if a participant demonstrates an inability to function effectively within your research environment.
• Contact ORISE if a participant does not adhere to the guidelines of the sponsoring agency.

Complete an Opportunity Request Form and return it to your ORISE point of contact. ORISE staff will post the opportunity in Zintellect, where you will be able to review completed applications and make selections.

Zintellect is a user-friendly profile-based application system; it organizes and lists available opportunities for potential applicants, captures applicant data, and allows each mentor/sponsor to view applications and manage their viewing experience in the process of identifying new talent.

You can explore what applicants see in Zintellect by accessing www.zintellect.com.

All published reports, journal articles, or professional presentations that are based on the research conducted during the appointment should be reviewed and approved per agency guidelines. Participants should include the following acknowledgment:

This research was supported in part by an appointment to the Sponsoring Agency administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Sponsoring Agency. ORISE is managed by ORAU under DOE contract number DE-SC0014664. All opinions expressed in this paper are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the policies and views of Agency Acronym, DOE, or ORAU/ORISE.