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What
is an ORISE research participant? As an ORISE research participant, you are a guest at a DoD facility, participating in hands-on research alongside some of the best minds in science and using state-of-the-art equipment. You not only gain experience and further your education, but you also support the research missions of your host facility and ultimately DoD. The ORISE research participation program is intended to be a win/win arrangement for both you and the facility. Your host facility provides the funding for your stipend and, in return, expects you to become an active, contributing member of its research community. As a participant, you should expect to gain training and experience relative to your chosen field of research. Many things to many people. A DOE institute, ORISE administers more than 3,000 research participation appointments, similar to the one in which you are currently involved. In fact, this was ORISE’s original mission in 1946—to bring students, faculty, and recent graduates to national laboratories for hands-on participation in research and development activities. These programs link federal technology with the capabilities of the academic community. ORISE’s expertise has grown beyond these programs over the last 50 years. As needs were identified, ORISE rose to the occasion. Today, ORISE is also known for: • Responding to radiation accidents around the world The research participation programs remain a key function of ORISE. In administering more than 100 of these programs, ORISE deals with at least 13 federal agencies. Examples include DOE, DoD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Commerce. In supporting these programs, federal agencies and host facilities partner with ORISE in setting the stage for the future of our nation’s scientific capabilities by: • Enhancing the educational programs offered by
academic institutions More information on ORISE is available at http://www.orau.gov/orise.htm. The many research participation programs are also outlined on the Web at http://www.orau.gov/orise/educ.htm. How
much sick leave and vacation time do participants get? In addition to observing the holidays followed by the facility to which they are appointed, the host facility may grant participants additional time off for sickness or personal use without the reduction of stipend payment or termination of the appointment. The amount of time off should be established by the facility where the participant is appointed, and absences must be discussed with and approved by the participant’s mentor. Participants, however, do not formally earn sick leave or vacation time. ORISE does not track participants’ daily attendance or recommend a specific amount of time off without reduction of stipend. ORISE pays the participant’s regular stipend every month unless the mentor instructs that a reduction should be made to cover an absence. Reductions of this nature are rare. Exceptions include a history of poor attendance or extenuating circumstance such as serious illness, childbirth, lengthy personal travel, etc. If an absence is expected to last several weeks or months, ORISE may deactivate the appointment and reactivate it upon the participant’s return. If my
mentor decides to reduce my stipend due to an absence, how does ORISE
calculate my stipend? The mentor sends ORISE written instructions to reduce the stipend for the number of full days of nonparticipation. ORISE prorates stipends by the day, based on the number of weekdays participated in a given month. For example, there are 22 weekdays in July 1999. If the participant has a monthly stipend of $2,200 but misses four days, he or she would have participated only 18 days in July. The calculation would be as follows: (2200/22)18 = 1800 Thus, the participant would receive an adjusted stipend of $1,800. ORISE prorates similarly during the first and last months of the appointments when participation starts and ends mid-month. I hear
ORISE is issuing credit cards to participants who travel. How can I get one? Diners Corporation offers its credit cards to ORISE participants who travel three or more times per year. Diners Cards may be issued upon completion of a simple application, with approval by the participant’s mentor. The credit cards are issued without a credit check, and the credit agreement is between the cardholder and Diners Corporation. ORAU, ORISE, and the host facility are not responsible for unpaid card balances. If the Diners Card is revoked for non-payment, this will reflect on the cardholder’s personal credit history. Diners Cards may be used worldwide anywhere the card is accepted. ORAU encourages card use only for official travel expenses, including cash advances, lodging, meals, rental cars, and registration fees. You will be asked to return the Diners Card to ORISE when terminating your appointment. To obtain a Diners Card application, contact Brenda Shaeffer at (410) 436-7256. You should receive your card approximately three weeks after the application is submitted to ORISE. What types of payments can ORISE make to participants? Funds to support research participation appointments are provided by the host facility. Program guidelines allow for three types of expenditures on behalf of participants: monthly stipends, travel costs, and tuition/fees. Each expenditure is approved by the mentor and/or host facility before ORISE releases funds. Stipends are paid on the last day of the month and are prorated for the number of days participated during the month. For appointments six months or longer in duration, ORISE offers direct deposit of funds to the participant’s bank account. Many facilities directly handle travel logistics for their participants. Others send funds and have ORISE handle participants’ travel arrangements and reimbursements. Travel expenses, including inbound moves and personal vehicle mileage related to the research assignment, may be reimbursed if properly documented according to ORISE travel policy. To ease travel logistics, ORISE offers the Diners Card to participants who frequently travel. Tuition and fees may be paid for the occasional university course, short-term training by reputable vendors, registration for conferences, medical examinations, and personal protective equipment to be used by the participant. In general, if an expenditure is necessary for the educational benefit or safety of the participant, ORISE should be able to pay up front or reimburse the participant. ORISE cannot pay for the purchase of computers or laboratory supplies/equipment. These are more permanent, tangible items that the host facility should provide.
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