Click on Apply below to start your application. An initial review of applications will occur on July 1, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis throughout the 2026 calendar year, and selections made as projects for participation become available.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Disability Health Research Program (DHRP), invites recent Post-Master's and Postdoctoral candidates to apply to an immersive STEM learning experience. The mission of the NIH Disability Health Research Program (DHRP) is to advance innovative and responsible research that promotes the health and well-being of people with disabilities. DHRP provides strategic coordination of disability health research activities at NIH and leads implementation of the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26-FY30.

 This project seeks to advance the science of disability health, strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities in clinical research, enhance disability data management and sharing, support disability health research training and career development, and promote robust engagement with disability communities. The participant will be mentored by a team of health scientist administrators, health science policy analysts, and data scientists with expertise in disability health research and research program planning and evaluation.

What will I be doing?

The participants will learn how to apply their scientific and technical knowledge in the field of public health to federal science administration and policy making. During the fellowship, the participant will learn how to stimulate, plan, direct, and evaluate a portfolio of activities for a research program, inform or influence policy and processes, and engage the public as partners in biomedical and behavioral research.

Why should I apply?

Participating in this STEM research learning experience offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of NIH mechanisms and collaborative research initiatives. You will explore various NIH databases and tools for data analysis, learn how to identify metrics and key indicators for evaluating programs, and analyze the outcomes of different types of collaborative research initiatives. Through guided mentorship, you will gain insights into data-driven approaches to assessing program effectiveness and explore ways to conceptualize future research opportunities based on evidence and trends.

Where will I be located?

Fellows are expected to be fully engaged, either in-person, hybrid In-person or hybrid location is Bethesda, MD.

What financial provisions will I receive?

The selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend to help offset living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by NIH officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. In addition, NIH may provide a health insurance supplement to cover the monthly premium costs if you elect the ORAU/ORISE health insurance plan, as necessary.

What is the length of the appointment?

The appointment will initially be for one year, renewable annually up to 4 additional years upon recommendation of NIH and is contingent on the availability of funds.

When are selections made?

An initial review of applications will occur on July 1, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis throughout the 2026 calendar year, and selections made as projects for participation become available.

What is the Nature of the Appointment?

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants do not become employees of NIH, DOE, ORISE, nor ORAU, and there are no employment-related benefits.

The qualified candidate must be 18 years or older at the time of application and should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the last five years of the appointment start date. Current graduate students who are nearing degree completion may apply but must have completed their degrees by the start of the fellowship.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

A completed application consists of:

• A complete Zintellect profile.
• A program specific application submitted in Zintellect.
• Transcript(s) – Submit a copy of your most recent official transcript. For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic record printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted to complete the application requirement, if you do not have a copy of your official transcript at the time of application. The transcript or academic record must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, courses completed/in progress, grades and degree expected/awarded. A copy of your official transcript and/or letter showing proof of your degree may be required prior to starting the appointment. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. 
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• One Recommendation - Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to submit the application, but up to three are encouraged. You are encouraged to request a recommendation from professionals who can speak to your abilities and potential for success, as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendations must be submitted before your application can be reviewed.

All documents submitted must be in English or include an official English translation. All social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth should be removed (blanked out or blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.

If you have questions, contact us at NIHprograms@orau.org. Please include the reference code NIH-DPCPSI-DO-DHRP-2026 for this opportunity in your email.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (1 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age

I affirm that I have received my Master's or Doctoral degree within the last five years or am currently enrolled in a graduate program. If currently enrolled, I understand that my degree must be received before the appointment start date.