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Fellowship/Professional Development Program

NRC Research Associateship Programs

The NRC Research Associateship Programs (RAP) are prestigious postdoctoral and senior research awards designed to provide promising scientists and engineers with high-quality research opportunities at federal laboratories and affiliated institutions. These programs offer a comprehensive experience, including mentorship and access to state-of-the-art facilities, all geared toward enhancing the research career development of the Research Associates.

Not accepting applications

Upcoming events

Eligibility and Benefits: Fellowship and Application Process for NRC RAP and AF STFP

  • November 18, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
  • Webinar
  • Past

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine maintain a database of more than a thousand active research opportunities and administer postdoctoral and senior research awards at partic...

Description

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Fellowships Office has conducted the NRC Research Associateship Programs in cooperation with sponsoring federal laboratories and other research organizations since 1954. NRC Research Associateships are awarded to exceptionally talented postdoctoral and senior scientists and engineers through a rigorous selection process. These selected individuals are granted tenure as guest researchers at participating laboratories, highlighting their outstanding contributions and potential in their respective fields.
The NRC Research Associateship Programs aim to:

  • Offer uniquely promising postdoctoral and senior scientists/engineers the chance to pursue self-directed research that aligns with the goals of the sponsoring laboratories.
  • Enhance the comprehensive research efforts of these laboratories.
  • Provide recent doctoral graduates with a platform to conduct focused research in collaboration with select members of the permanent professional laboratory staff.
  • Foster the professional growth of Associates by providing opportunities to gain skills, experience, and connections through collaboration with leading scientists, enhancing their future career prospects in academia, industry, or government research roles.

Collaborators

Sponsors

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

National Institute of Standards and Technology

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Security Agency

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division

Naval Postgraduate School

Naval Research Laboratory

U.S. Air Force Academy

U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology

U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command

U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate

U.S. Army Research Laboratory

U.S. Army Research Office

Staff

Jennifer Griffiths

Lead

JGriffiths@nas.edu

Sierra Jackson

Lead

SiJackson@nas.edu

Melanie Suydam

MSuydam@nas.edu

Erika Jauregui

EJauregui@nas.edu

Blain Bekele

BBekele@nas.edu

Yemi Tesfaye

YTesfaye@nas.edu

Leah Probst

LProbst@nas.edu

Major units and sub-units

Organizational Initiatives

Lead

Office of Fellowships

Lead

Past events

Eligibility and Benefits: Fellowship and Application Process for NRC RAP and AF STFP

  • November 18, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
  • Webinar
  • Past

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine maintain a database of more than a thousand active research opportunities and administer postdoctoral and senior research awards at partic...

Introduction: Fellowship and Application Process for NRC RAP and AF STFP

  • September 30, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET)
  • Webinar
  • Past

Intro to the Fellowship & Application Process Webinar The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine maintain a database of more than a thousand active research opportunities and admin...

2025 NRC Research Associateship Programs Laboratory Program Representatives Meeting

  • July 16, 2025
  • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (ET)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The annual Laboratory Program Representatives meeting serves as a pivotal forum for the Fellowships Office to present a comprehensive status update on the NRC Research Associateship Programs (RAP) and...

2024 NRC Research Associateship Programs Laboratory Program Representatives Meeting

  • June 26, 2024
  • 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM (ET)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The annual Laboratory Program Representatives meeting serves as a pivotal forum for the Fellowships Office to present a comprehensive status update on the NRC Research Associateship Programs. The meet...

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