Information for Applicants
Applications are accepted from current students, postgraduates, and U.S. college/university faculty with participants selected by the TSL 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
The participant must meet all outlined criteria for eligibility to qualify for the TSL Visiting Scientist Program. To be considered for any opportunity with the TSL, an applicant must be a sole U.S. citizen at the time of application.
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In addition, the educational nature of these programs requires that participants must be classified into one of the following categories:
- Students must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. pre-college, college or university pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), and must maintain satisfactory progress in academic coursework.
- Postgraduates must have received their degree in an appropriate STEM discipline within five years of the appointment start date or must complete all requirements for such a degree prior to the desired start date. If more than five years since receipt of degree, the applicant must have an academic background and experience in a relevant field and must be seeking to gain new knowledge/experience to expand career opportunities or to advance professionally.
- Faculty must be employed at an accredited U.S. pre-college, college, or university.
Applications will be considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.
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Application and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and compliance before moving forward to the merit review and final selection.
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Required Application Materials:
- ORISE application through Zintellect
- Current résumé or CV
- An unofficial transcript or a copy of an academic record is required for an application. If selected for an appointment, an official transcript will be required.
- At least one recommendation from person(s) who are familiar with the candidate’s educational and professional qualifications.
Additional Information:
- TSL mentor submits the selection form to ORISE in Zintellect.
- Once ORISE receives and reviews the authorized selection form, ORISE will review applications for eligibility and compliance and confirm the funding availability. ORISE will process the official appointment letter.
- All candidates must accept the appointment offer from ORISE prior to reporting to the facility to ensure that they will be eligible to receive a stipend. The appointment letter will outline any contingencies that must be met prior to starting their appointment.
- All participants are required to have health insurance in place no later than the first day of the appointment and maintain health insurance throughout the duration of the appointment.
- Selected candidates must be sole U.S. citizens and must verify their citizenship before starting the appointment.
- On the date the participant begins, the TSL mentor must certify that the candidate reported to the facility. ORISE will begin stipend payments once these steps are complete.
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Security Clearance
Appointments are contingent on the participant’s receipt of the necessary security clearance to access assigned research facilities. A participant must have or be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance for the duration of the appointment. If selected for an appointment, a TSL representative will coordinate with participants on security clearance requirements.
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Nature of the Appointment
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This program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). ORISE is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) asset managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through a contract between ORAU and DOE. Program participants will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with DHS, TSL, ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or other hosting facility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most commonly asked by applicants.
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Participants receive a monthly stipend to help defray living and other expenses during the appointment. Stipend rates are determined by TSL, and are based on the participant’s educational level. Participants may also be offered relocation allowance, a travel allowance, and/or a health insurance stipend.
Every participant is required to have health insurance on the first day of the appointment and throughout the duration of the program. Participants may not be present at TSL facilities if their insurance coverage lapses.
Insurance coverage may be purchased through ORISE, or participants may obtain another insurance plan from the company of their choice.
Yes, you must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application to participate in the program.
Postgraduate appointments are for a year with the option to extend the appointment for additional years. Extensions are contingent upon project needs and funding availability. The maximum time a participant can remain in the ORISE program is five years from their initial start date.
Internships are typically for two to three months between May and September with the potential to extend. Extensions are contingent upon project needs and funding availability.
One (1) recommendation is required for most appointments.
You should obtain recommendations from people familiar with your educational and professional qualifications. At least one recommender should be a professor or other individual who can comment on your educational experience.
Participants are selected by the TSL mentor at TSL from the pool of fully submitted and qualified applications to the posting in Zintellect. ORISE staff will prescreen applications to ensure that all required materials have been received and that the participant has attained the required educational level, but are not otherwise involved in the selection process. The mentor will review applications and will then notify ORISE once they have selected a candidate in order to begin the appointment letter process described in Prior to Starting the Appointment.
For most 12-month opportunities, the TSL Visiting Scientist Program does NOT have application deadlines; applications are accepted until the opportunity is filled.
For internships, the application deadline can be found under the current active opportunity. The application period for internships is typically from November to January with selections in February.
If you see the opportunity on Zintellect then it is still actively accepting applications. If no deadline is listed then applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can always contact DHSed@orau.org with any questions regarding the status of your application and/or the opportunity.
Please ensure that all the application materials have been received and that the necessary educational qualifications have been obtained. At least one recommendation needs to be submitted for the mentor to view an application.
Successful applicants will provide application information that is well thought out and clearly aligns with DHS TSL areas of importance as well as a strong connection to the topic areas for the opportunity. Please review the current opportunities that are available.
We do not advise this. Only ORISE is authorized to offer an appointment.
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Diversity Inclusion/Culture
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At DHS, Inclusive Diversity means building a purpose-driven workplace where all employees feel they belong and have a voice. We value a diverse workforce, and our leadership prioritizes the wellbeing of our employees, so they feel they are contributing meaningfully to their teams and are recognized for their efforts. We are rooting these values so that they show up in our work and in our interactions with each other, beginning the publication of our Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan. We recommend that applicants explore the DHS website to learn more about their unique culture and diversity commitments. Applicants may also explore the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government issued January 20, 2021.
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.
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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