Special Focus Area for DoD Laboratories/Centers
Chemical/Biological Defense Postdoctoral Fellows

The purpose of this program is to augment the recruitment and advancement of talented, new scientists and engineers to perform chemical and biological defense (CBD)-related research in DoD Laboratories/Centers. Therefore, the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency will provide full funding directly to your Laboratory/Center for up to three years to support selected Applicants to the NRC Research Associates Program proposing CBD-related research.

To be considered for a CBD Fellowship, your Applicant should apply for an NRC Postdoctoral Research Associateship using your existing Research Opportunity. The proposal should be for basic (6.1) or applied (6.2) research relevant to the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. If you would like to learn more, please visit our website http://www.dtra.mil/rd/cbt/index.cfm. The following link to our current research solicitations should give you insight into the needs and concerns of CB defense http://www.arl.army.mil/main/main/default.cfm?Action=6&Page=8.

Upon receipt of the Laboratory/Center Review proposal package from the NRC, you must submit to JSTO a budget request documenting the funds required by your Laboratory/Center to support an NRC Postdoctoral Research Associate. For more information, please contact

CB-NRC@dtra.mil. The cost should include the contractual cost to the NRC plus any mandatory indirect charges customarily required by your Laboratory/Center. In addition, you may request up to $50,000 of additional funds for materials, equipment, supplies, and support of your work as the Advisor if the proposed project is not already funded under the CBD Program. Your request must be submitted through your Laboratory/Center’s official business point of contact with JSTO, following any procedures for proposal submission required by your Laboratory/Center.

At the conclusion of the normal NRC review process, JSTO will review the rated applications on a variety of factors, including the potential of the proposed research to contribute to the mission of the CBD Program. A limited number of Applicants (up to five the first year) will be selected as Chemical and Biological Defense Postdoctoral Fellows. JSTO will notify your Laboratory/ Center promptly following the review whether your Applicant has been selected and the funding to be provided.

If your Applicant is approved for a CBD Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Applicant may then be accepted through your Laboratory/Center’s existing program with the NRC. Once the NRC notifies JSTO that your Applicant has accepted the Postdoctoral Research Associateship position, JSTO will begin the process of transferring the funds to your Administrative Officer.

If your Applicant is not approved for a CBD Postdoctoral Fellowship, you may still accept the Applicant as a regular Postdoctoral Research Associate subject to the availability of funds and the other usual constraints within your Laboratory/Center.