About ORISE

NASA’s Mission Directorate Research Participation Program is managed by ORAU through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Established as an official DOE institute in 1992, with programs dating back to 1946, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a national leader in science education and research.

Through the management of ORISE, ORAU directly supports DOE’s national agenda. We strive to advance science education and research programs, with a vision to be a national leader in doing so. And we create opportunities for collaboration through partnerships with other DOE facilities, other federal agencies, the academic community, and industry.

Fundamental to ORISE’s mission objectives are:

• Strengthening our nation’s research and development enterprise through education and research participation programs
• Ensuring the readiness of our nation to respond to terrorist incidents and other emergencies
• Protecting workers, the public, and the environment through research, outreach, and verification activities

Learn more about ORISE’s work in these mission areas by visiting the ORISE website.

Learn more about ORISE in the current ORAU Annual Report

The ORISE Research Participation Program at NASA creates opportunities for postgraduates, postdoctoral researchers, and university faculty to participate in project-specific NASA research at a NASA Center or facility. NASA ORISE participants do not perform work in place of federal employees; nor are they considered to be NASA employees. The NASA ORISE program is a valuable human capital and workforce development tool that provides exciting research experience and training to highly motivated participants in fields of science relevant to the NASA Mission Directorates.

Connect with World-class Scientists through ORAU

Click below to watch a 2:00 minute video about the Science Education Programs at ORISE.