DHS Education Programs

Application Process

Applicants are encouraged to contact ORISE at dhsed@orau.org at any point during this process for further guidance and information about the program.

1. Faculty Identifies DHS Center(s) of Excellence and Research Activities of Interest

The faculty reviews online information to identify DHS Centers engaged in research of interest to the faculty. Information about the DHS Centers and the types of research and research projects being conducted there can be found at DHS Centers of Excellence and Projects Search.

2. Faculty Submits Faculty Application and Curriculum Vitae (CV)

By January 7, 2013, the faculty submits a Faculty Application Form and CV to ORISE by email. See Requirements for detailed information. In the application, the faculty provides information about his or her research interests, as well as the names of one or two DHS Centers at which the faculty would be interested in conducting research over the summer.

ORISE reviews the information submitted by the faculty, ascertains faculty and institution eligibility, seeks any necessary clarification regarding the faculty research interests, and forwards the information to the appropriate DHS Center(s) for review.

3. DHS Center Identifies Possible Research Collaborators

The DHS Center reviews the faculty application and CV. The DHS Center may contact the faculty directly to gather additional information about his or her research interests.

The DHS Center determines if there is a viable basis for collaboration with the faculty, given the faculty's research interests and the DHS Center research mission. If so, the DHS Center identifies a researcher with whom the faculty may collaborate over the summer, if the team is selected. The collaborating DHS Center researcher may be affiliated with the DHS Center lead research institution or a partnering institution.

If a potential research collaborator can be identified, the faculty is put in contact with the researcher to define a research project to propose to DHS.

4. Faculty Defines Research Project and Submits Research Project Proposal Form

With input from the DHS Center, the faculty defines a research project to propose to DHS. The faculty and relevant DHS Center researchers must agree on the project, its goals, and the location at which the research project will be conducted. Preapproval from the DHS Center must be obtained before submitting the Research Project Proposal Form to ORISE.

By February 4, 2013, the faculty submits the Research Project Proposal Form to ORISE by email.

5. Faculty Assembles Research Team, and Students Submit Applications

The faculty identifies one or two qualified students who, together with the faculty, make up the summer research team. The students must:

• Have an appropriate background and skill set for the research that the team will accomplish during their appointment.
• Possess a strong work ethic and appropriate level of maturity.
• Satisfy all eligibility requirements listed under Applicant Eligibility (including a GPA of at least 3.0; GPA requirements are strictly enforced).
• Be able to commit to 10 consecutive weeks of full-time participation on-site at the DHS Center.

By February 4, 2013, each student submits an application form to ORISE by email.

The faculty is responsible for ensuring that the students complete and submit their applications and all supporting materials by the program deadlines.

6. Research Team Submits Supporting Materials to ORISE

The deadline for the supporting materials is February 4, 2013, unless indicated otherwise below. For materials that must be submitted by postal mail, the deadline is a postmark deadline, not receipt deadline.

The faculty requests a letter of reference from the faculty's department head. The letter must be submitted by the department head to ORISE by email.

Each student asks two references to complete the Student Reference Report Form. The Student Reference Report Forms must be submitted by the references to ORISE by email. The faculty team member cannot serve as a reference.

Students request official academic transcripts from their current postsecondary institution and any postsecondary institutions attended from Fall 2011 through Fall 2012. If additional postsecondary institutions have been attended, ORISE may require transcripts from these schools as well and will notify the student accordingly. Transcripts must include Fall 2012 grades and must be sent by the institutions to ORISE by postal mail.

By March 1, 2013, any undergraduate student attending a community college at the time of application sends to ORISE by email or postal mail documentation of application to an eligible 4-year Minority Serving Institution for Fall 2013.

By March 1, 2013, any rising graduate student (senior at the time of application) sends to ORISE by email or postal mail documentation of application to a graduate program at an eligible Minority Serving Institution for Fall 2013.

7. Award Recipients Are Selected and Notified

Application packages are reviewed (i) by ORISE for eligibility and completeness, (ii) by the DHS Centers for strength and relevance to the DHS Center mission, and (iii) by DHS for strength and other DHS-relevant factors. DHS is responsible for determining which teams receive awards.

Teams are notified about awards beginning March 1, 2013. For those teams receiving awards, their academic institution Dean and President, as well as the DHS Center, are notified in writing. All selection notifications are made by ORISE.