For Applicants | NRC Research Associateship Programs

Follow the steps below to begin the process of selecting a Research Opportunity or Opportunities.

Note that you may apply for up to three Research Opportunities during an application cycle; however, you may submit only one application per sponsoring federal agency.

Step 1: Identify Research Opportunities you wish to pursue. Visit any of the sponsoring agency pages or use the general search function to find Research Opportunities. 

You may search by keywords, Adviser last name, sponsoring agency, or location. You can also limit your search to laboratories which accept foreign nationals or senior applicants. 

• Search for Research Opportunities 

Step 2: Determine if you are eligible to apply for an NRC Research Associateship at the agency or agencies you have chosen and determine the review cycles during which when they accept applications.

• Read the general Eligibility Criteria
• Read specific eligibility information about the sponsoring agency found on the Participating Agencies List

Step 3: Contact the proposed Research Adviser(s) listed with the Research Opportunities of interest to discuss potential research projects and funding availability.

Step 4: Learn more about the application deadline and required materials on the other tabs in this section.

General Guidelines and Advance Preparation

• Provide all information requested on the application web pages. Follow instructions carefully when preparing and uploading sections on Previous and Current Research and the Research Proposal
• Allow sufficient time to obtain and upload current versions of transcripts (not required for senior applicants).
• Contact letter writers in advance, allowing sufficient time to submit letters of recommendation.

Formatting, Uploading, and Viewing Documents

• Save as .pdf files prior to upload.
• Double-space using a standard 12-point font.
• Set margins at 1" (top and bottom) and .5" (left and right sides).
• Do not exceed the maximum page limits.
• Do not exceed the maximum file size limit (4 MB).
• Do not include headers or footers.
• Write all materials in English.
• Do not upload secured, password protected, or encrypted files as reviewers will not be able view these documents.
• View each document after upload to ensure it is the appropriate file, complete, current, and legible.

A complete application includes the materials described below. All components must be received by the application deadline stated above. Applications with missing, incomplete, out of date, or ineligible materials will not be considered for review.

1. Profile Information (items in bold are required)

Prior to completing an application, the following profile information must be entered.

• Contact information, demographic information, confidential information

• Education history (name, location, enrolled date, degree awarded/expected, and research field for all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended or currently attending as of the current review cycle) 

• Transcripts
  
  • General guidelines
    
    • Postdoctoral applicants must upload transcripts from all post-secondary (undergraduate and graduate) institutions attended. Senior applicants are not required to upload transcripts.
    • Transcripts may be unofficial but must be current and must include all coursework (including any in-progress coursework) as well as the degree being pursued. (If selected for an award, an official doctoral transcript including the date of the degree must be sent from the institution directly to the Fellowships Office.)
    • If any institution does not calculate a GPA or the applicant prefers not to enter it, it is not required.
    • For degrees already earned, transcripts must include the date of the degree awarded.
    • Applicants who have applied in a previous review must ensure they have uploaded the most up-to-date version of their transcripts to their application prior to the application deadline. 
    • Transcripts should not include Personal Identifying Information (PII). Applicants should redact, cover, or remove any complete Social Security numbers and their date of birth prior to uploading the document. Staff may delete transcripts from your application if these data are present. 
    • Transcripts may not be secured, password protected, or encrypted files as reviewers will not be able view these documents.
  
  
  • Transcripts from non-U.S. institutions
    
    • Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation into English.
    • Transcripts must include a description of the institution’s grading system.
    • Postdoctoral applicants who are pursuing or hold a degree from a non-U.S. institution that does not issue transcripts must upload an official letter from their institution including the following information:
      • Statement that the institution does not issue transcripts
      • Applicant's dates of enrollment at the institution
      • Degree applicant received and date it was awarded or confirmation that applicant is currently enrolled in a doctoral program and anticipated award date
    • Postdoctoral applicants who are pursuing or hold a degree from a non-U.S. institution that does not require coursework for obtaining a degree must upload proof of their degree (e.g. a degree certificate) accompanied by an official letter from their institution including the following information:
      • Statement that the institution does not require coursework for the degree
      • Applicant's dates of enrollment at the institution
      • Degree applicant received and date it was awarded or confirmation that applicant is currently enrolled in a doctoral program and anticipated award date
• Employment history
• Honors and awards 
• Profile Uploads
  
  • Dissertation Abstract (maximum 1 page; not required for Senior applicants)
  • Previous and Current Research: Description (maximum 4 pages)
  Provide a concise description of all research investigations conducted within the past five years. Include information on where, when, and with whom these investigations were carried out.
  • Previous Research: List of Publications and Presentations (maximum 2 pages, single-spaced within each entry and double-spaced between entries)

• Research Opportunity number, opportunity Research Adviser (applicants must contact the proposed Research Adviser prior to applying), tenure length, agency affiliation (If you are or have been affiliated with the agency to which you are applying, review the Eligibility Criteria to determine if you are still eligible to apply.) If you have questions about eligibility related to prior affiliation, please contact rap@nas.edu
  .
• Proposal title, proposal abstract, anticipated research needs, keywords (at least three) 

In the proposal abstract, clearly state the problem to be studied and its importance to the host agency.

• Research Proposal (maximum 10 pages, including citations, graphs, figures, and photos) 

References

Names and contact information of a minimum of 3 (maximum 5) individuals who will upload a letter of recommendation on the applicant's behalf.

• Postdoctoral applicants must include their dissertation adviser as one of their required references.
• Letter writers should be acquainted with the applicant's academic and professional background. At least two should be persons the applicant has recently worked with in their major field.
• Letter writers may not be employed in any capacity or any location of the agency to which the applicant is applying unless the letter writers have served as mentors or collaborators on research performed while the applicant was a student, postdoc, or faculty member. If you have selected a letter writer who is employed at the agency to which you are applying, you must send an email to rap@nas.edu explaining why you selected this person to write a letter and your relationship to the letter writer. Letters submitted by ineligible letter writers will be removed from the application and will not be counted towards the number of required letters for the application.
• Applications with an insufficient number of letters of recommendation or missing the dissertation adviser letter will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered for review.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify their letter writers through the online application system. Letter writers will receive instructions on the content of their letters and they must upload their letters via the online application module by the application deadline. The Fellowships Office will not accept hard copy letters or letters sent as e-mail attachments. 

Additional Information

• All application materials become the property of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and will not be returned. Applicants should retain copies of all submitted application materials for their personal records.
• For additional information or questions, contact rap@nas.edu.

Register by Creating an Account 

To apply to the NRC Research Associateship Programs, you must first register to create an account. Register here. Note: If the e-mail address you enter is already in the system (e.g. you have applied to a previous Review), you will not be able to create a new account. Simply opt to Sign In instead.

General Instructions

• You can sign in and out of the system at any time.
• Use the left navigation to view/complete the pages. Note: The availability of navigation items may change based on the status of the competition and your submission.
• When you sign out of the application and sign back in later, you must first choose Edit this application to make any changes.

Completing an Application

There are three sections to the application: The Profile Information pages, the Program Eligibility page, and the Application pages.

Section 1. Profile Information

• The data entered in and uploaded to these pages can be modified at any time and will be stored from year to year.
• Your contact, demographic, and confidential information will not be shared with reviewers.
• Academic transcripts (not required for Senior applicants) must be current and must be uploaded to the Education History page before you submit your application. For more details on transcript requirements, refer to the Application Instructions and Requirements tab above.
• Upload documents on Previous and Current Research and Publications and Presentations. For information on the content and length of the Uploads, review the Application Instructions and Requirements tab above.
• After you have uploaded your documents on the Education History and Uploads pages, click View Converted PDF for each file to ensure you have uploaded the correct documents.

Section 2. Program Eligibility

Your eligibility status will be determined by the data you have entered in your Education History, your Profile Information (Demographics tab), and the competition you have selected. You will not be able to add a Research Opportunity until these fields have been completed. If you are unsure of your eligibility status, contact rap@nas.edu.

Section 3. Application

Adding a Research Opportunity
Enter the Research Opportunity number in the field provided or select the opportunity from the dropdown list that populates as you enter the number. Click Choose.

• You will not be able to choose opportunities for which you are not eligible or for agencies that are not participating in the current review.
• You may select up to three opportunities; however, each must be from a different agency (e.g. AFRL, EPA, NOAA, NRL).
• You may add and delete opportunities until you submit an application.
• You will not be able to add opportunities after you have submitted your application.

 Adding Information for the Opportunity, Research Proposal, and References (Note: If applying to more than one agency, this information must be provided for each agency.)

Opportunity

• Enter the Adviser and tenure length.
• Review the Eligibility Criteria for current or prior affiliation with the agency. If applicable, describe any current or prior affiliation you have or have had with the agency to which you are applying.

Research Proposal

• Provide details about your research proposal and anticipated research needs.
• Provide at least three keyword phrases relating to your research field.
• Upload your Research Proposal. For details on the content and length of the proposal, review the Research Proposal section of the Application Instructions and Requirements tab above.
• After you have uploaded your document, click View Converted PDF to ensure you have uploaded the correct document.
• You can replace your uploaded Research Proposal until you submit your application.

References

• Adding: Before you add a reference, review the Application Instructions and Requirements tab.
• Notifying: You must notify each reference through the online application system. When you take this action, your reference will receive a unique link directing them to a page where they can upload a letter on your behalf. Contact your letter writers personally to advise them that they will be receiving an e-mail notification from rap@nas.edu and confirm with them that they have received the notification once you have sent it.
• Monitoring submissions: You and your reference will receive an e-mail confirmation once a letter has been successfully submitted. You can also monitor these submissions on the Data Review page.
• Modifying: If you realize you have entered incorrect data for one of your references, you may edit and save the information. If the updated data was an e-mail address, you must re-notify the reference so that they receive the notification.
• You will be able to add, notify, monitor, and modify your references at any time until the application deadline.
• Be advised that it is entirely the responsibility of the applicant to confirm that the required letters of recommendation are received before the deadline. Applications with ineligible or an insufficient number of references will not be forwarded to the review.

Data Review

• Review all information on the page to confirm it is correct.
• Edit any page that requires completion or revision.

Validating and Submitting an Application

Validation symbols

• Red X: The page is incomplete and the application cannot be submitted. Make any corrections to pages with this symbol.
• Yellow warning: The page may be missing information; however, the application may still be submitted.
• Green check: The page is complete and has been validated. The application may be submitted.

Confirm that you have reviewed your application and are satisfied with its content and format and click Submit.

With the exception of the Profile Information pages, you will not be able to modify the Application pages of your application once you have submitted.

Contacting Support
E-mail: rap@nas.edu
Phone: 202-334-2760

Letters of Recommendation for candidates applying to the NRC Research Associateship Program must be uploaded by the letter writer via the online application module no later than the current review deadline at 5:00 PM ET.

Letter writers may not be employed in any capacity or at any location of the agency to which the applicant is applying unless the letter writers have served as a mentor or collaborator on research performed while the applicant was a student, postdoc, or faculty member. Letters submitted by ineligible letter writers will be removed from the application and will not be counted towards the number of required letters for the application.

Upload guidelines

• Letters should be limited to no more than two pages.
• Letters must be saved in .pdf format prior to upload.
• Letters must not exceed the maximum file size limit of 4 MB.

The following points must be addressed in the Letter of Recommendation:

• How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant (e.g. student, teaching/research assistant, thesis advisee, professional colleague, by reputation only)
• How you rate the applicant relative to peers (e.g., top 1-2%, top 5-10%, top 25%, upper half)
• The applicant’s skills as a researcher (e.g., technical skills, innovative thinking)
• Significant research accomplishments by the applicant
• Strengths of the research proposed by the applicant and how their qualifications fit with the proposed research
• The applicant’s ability to work independently, or as a member of a team
• Your overall assessment of the applicant (e.g., outstanding, excellent, above average, average, below average)

The information contained in the letter of recommendation will not be made available to the applicant or otherwise publicly disclosed except as required by law.