Frequently Asked Questions

My mentor has told me that I have been selected for an appointment. When will I receive notification from ORISE?

All ORISE appointments must be approved by the NASA Center Representative or designated alternate. ORISE will send an appointment letter once this approval is received and the funding for the appointment is in place. See Start of Appointment for more information.

Can I change the start date of my appointment?
You may delay your start date with approval from your mentor and NASA Center Representative. Please immediately notify ORISE if your expected start date is later than what is specified in your appointment letter.

You cannot begin an appointment any earlier than the date specified in your appointment letter without receiving approval from the NASA Center Representative.

I need to end my appointment early.  What should I do?
You should immediately notify your mentor, NASA Center Representative, and ORISE point of contact of your new end date. ORISE will notify you of any paperwork that needs to be completed before your final stipend payment will be released. See End of Appointment for more information.

How many days of leave do I have?
Participants do not earn annual or medical leave, but may be absent from the Center ten days per appointment year without an interruption or reduction in stipend. All absences must be approved in advance by the mentor. 

Participants should not participate in research at the facility on days that it is closed for holidays, weather, or other contingencies. Those days do not count against the ten annual days; nor will they result in a decrease in stipend.

Extended, unpaid absences from the NASA facility may be allowed on a case-by-case basis, but they require ORISE and NASA approval and must be requested in advance.

Do I have to report to NASA?
You should not report to NASA when your facility is closed for holidays, weather, or other emergencies. Such closures will not affect your stipend.

It’s February.  Why haven’t I received a 1099 form from ORISE? 
Since ORISE participants are not employees or contractors (and receive stipends, not wages), they do not receive W-2 or 1099 forms. We do send a Statement of Payments that you may use in preparing your tax return.  Some foreign nationals, depending upon their tax treaty status, will receive 1042-S forms from ORAU. For more information on the tax implications of stipends, please see Stipend Information.

Please be sure to inform ORISE of any changes to your mailing address, even after your appointment has ended, so that you will receive this information.

Can I telework from off-site?
No.  NASA ORISE participants must be present at the location of the advisor.