Start of Appointment

Once a NASA mentor has selected a candidate for a project, several steps must be completed before the candidate can begin the appointment.

The NASA Center Representative or a designated alternate must approve all candidates for ORISE appointments by submitting the ORISE Selection Form (PDF), which specifies the approved start date, end date, and stipend rate for approved candidates.

Selected candidates may not begin ORISE appointments earlier than the start date approved by the mentor and Center Representative, nor may they continue past the approved end date without an approved extension (see Renewal of Appointment). 

Once ORISE has received the Selection Form and has confirmed the availability of funding, ORISE will send the candidate an appointment letter. All candidates must receive an appointment letter from ORISE before their first day of participation to ensure that they will be eligible to receive a stipend.

All participants are required to have health insurance in place no later than the first day of the appointment.

Candidates who are not U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents must also consult with ORISE immigration staff to ensure that they have the authorizations necessary for participation before beginning their appointments.

ORISE will need the following items for new appointments before activating stipend payments. Some of these items may be submitted directly by the program, but it is ultimately the candidate’s responsibility to ensure ORISE has received them:

• signed appointment letter and Terms of Appointment
• all other forms and documents included in the appointment packet
• ORISE Application
• current résumé
• official transcript showing most recent degree
• two references from persons familiar with your professional qualifications (including a reference from a current or past faculty member if possible)
• verification of current health insurance

Finally, the NASA Center Representative will certify the date upon which the candidate began participation. Once all of these steps are complete, ORISE will begin stipend payments.