Mission

The mission of the National Research Council’s Research Associateship Programs is to provide advanced training for highly qualified postdoctoral and visiting scientists, while enhancing the research conducted in federal laboratories. This mission is accomplished by recruiting, and competitively selecting, postdoctoral and senior scientists for research awards in the laboratories of more than 30 federal sponsors (see Addendum for more information on the National Academies and the history of the NRC program).

History

The NRC Resident Research Associateship Programs were established in 1954, modeled after the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship program administered by the NRC from 1919 to 1955. The initial sponsorship of the RAP was through the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST) in 1954. NIST was joined by the Naval Research Laboratory in 1955 and other sponsors soon followed. The Research Associateship programs have continued to expand to the present day where over 30 federal agencies participate. The NRC Associateship programs have made more than 11,000 awards to postdoctoral and senior scientists and engineers to conduct research in federal laboratories.

How the NRC Research Associateship Programs work

Federal sponsors are approved for program participation based on their ability to support postgraduate training in any field of science or engineering. The National Research Council recruits on a national and international basis for applicants to these programs. Panels of experts in all disciplines review applicants and participating laboratories authorize awards to the most qualified applicants, based on the availability of funding. The NRC handles all administrative details of the awards and manages stipend, insurance, travel and other details of the awardees tenure.

The NRC’s special expertise in science and engineering workforce recruitment

The NRC recruits on behalf of thousands of research opportunities throughout the federal government. The more than 4,000 Advisers selected to serve as mentors in the program comprise an even broader network for outreach. Through these efforts, a large group of highly qualified applicants are generated.

The NRC evaluates all applications using a peer review process. Each application receives multiple reviews by scientists and engineers with expertise across the range of sponsored programs. Sponsor labs have input on the quality of applicants and the relevance to their programs. Sponsors also have the final word on authorization of awards. Because the recruitment, review and selection processes are coupled, highly qualified applicants are available to begin work soon after they apply.

Outcomes of NRC Research Associateship Programs

The presence of a postdoctoral or visiting scientist adds value to the federal research enterprise by importing new ideas and skills. At the same time, the awardee benefits by exposure to top-notch federal scientists and the availability of, often unique, equipment, facilities and data.

Statistics maintained by the NRC show that over 40% of National Research Council Associates continue on as federal scientists and engineers either as regular employees or as contractors. Even for those NRC Associates who do not remain with the laboratory in some official capacity new linkages have been established. These often result in long-term collaborations and successful competition for federal research dollars by former Associates at the universities or in private enterprise.