BFRL Opportunities

Collaborations

The Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology is dedicated to the life-cycle quality of constructed facilities. Its performance prediction, measurement technologies, and technical advances enhance the competitiveness of U.S. industry and public safety.

The laboratory studies fire science and fire safety engineering; building materials; computer-integrated construction practices; and structural, mechanical, and environmental engineering. Products of the laboratory's research include measurements and test methods, performance criteria, and technical data that support innovations by industry and are incorporated into building and fire standards and codes. Staff members are involved in more than 100 committees to develop voluntary standards.

The laboratory conducts investigations at the scene of major fires as well structural failures due to earthquakes, hurricanes, or other causes. The knowledge gained from these investigations guides research and is applied to recommendations for design and construction practices to reduce hazards.

Opportunities for use of Unique Research Facilities

BFRL performs cooperative research with other private and public organizations on projects of mutual interest. There are many opportunities for engineers, scientists, and students to participate in BFRL research utilizing BFRL's facilities:

Opportunities for Research Collaborations  

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)

Typically, CRADAs cover joint research efforts in which both BFRL and the cooperating company provide staff, equipment, facilities, and/or funds, in any number of possible combinations, for a project of mutual interest. When companies conduct joint research with BFRL under a CRADA, NIST can protect confidential or proprietary information exchanged during the project, keep research results confidential, and provide exclusive rights for intellectual property developed during the course of the project. Each CRADA is negotiated separately between BFRL/NIST and prospective partners.  Most CRADAs take 6 to 8 weeks to implement. Copies of a model NIST CRADA agreement are available from the NIST Technology Partnerships Division, (301) 975-3084.

Scientists and engineers from industrial, professional, trade, and other organizations participate cooperatively in BFRL research. The originating organization normally pays the researcher's salary. However, BFRL grants may be used for a portion of specific work.

Guest Researcher Agreements

Typically, Guest Researcher Agreements are used when an industrial, foreign, academic, or other researcher wishes to join an ongoing BFRL research effort. The researcher gains access to BFRL research staff and facilities and, in return, results from the collaboration are made publicly available. Such agreements cannot protect proprietary information and do not allow cooperating companies to receive exclusive intellectual property rights. Once a BFRL research group agrees to host a guest researcher, implementation of such agreements takes only about 1 week.

Foreign Guest Researchers

The Foreign Guest Researcher Program offers scientists from around the world the opportunity to work collaboratively with scientists in the NIST laboratories participating in projects of common interest with BFRL.  Assignments are generally one year in duration.  The Office of International and Academic Affairs (OIAA) reviews and approves candidates for this program.

Visiting Scholars from Universities

Visiting scholars have opportunities to contribute to advancing the state of the art building and fire research through assignments ranging from a few months to periods of several years. Research is tailored for each participant; they have specific project tasks that directly benefit their university research and make substantive contributions to BFRL's objectives. Researchers with the education and experience to make these contributions may be paid by their parent organizations and/or by a BFRL grant.

Researchers from State and Local Governments

Researchers from state and local governments are also welcome to join BFRL staff in joint research projects.  The technical content of the individual's work assignment is defined through direct discussion between representatives of the sponsoring organization and BFRL. Salary, fringe benefits, and travel expenses also are negotiated with BFRL. These researchers remain employees of their sponsoring organizations.

Research and Development Contracts

Research and Development Contracts are used when external organizations contract with BFRL researchers to receive specific technical services or results uniquely available at BFRL. The cooperating organization funds the BFRL effort on a cost-reimbursable basis. Individual contracts may provide protection of proprietary information under certain circumstances. Research results are made publicly available and any intellectual property rights revert to BFRL/NIST. Preparation of contracts for such agreements typically take about four weeks.

Informal Collaborations

Informal one-to-one collaborations between Institute and other researchers often involve exchange of research results and/or samples between BFRL and other researchers, rather than transfers of personnel or research funds.

Postdoctoral Research Associates

This program is equivalent to postdoctoral fellowships in universities and other organizations. Each applicant is responsible for formulating a specific plan of his or her choice on a problem which relates to BFRL current research. Awards are made for two years. BFRL works with the National Research Council of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering in the coordination and selection of postdoctoral research associates.   Additional information or a copy of the Research Opportunities Booklet or application material may be accessed through the Office of International and Academic Affairs (OIAA).

Students (Graduate, Co-Op, and Summer)

The Student Employment programs at NIST provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in a major research laboratory. The work is as varied as BFRL's research activities. Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) students, referred to as Co-op students (undergraduate and graduate), rotate between periods of full-time work and full-time study and are paid according to their skills.  Student Temporary Employment Program  (STEP) students return to their campuses in the fall for further study.   Generally, about 30 students annually work at BFRL.

SURF:  Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

The Building and Fire Research  Laboratory offers a 12-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF).  The SURF program is designed to provide hands-on research experience in building and fire research technologies. This program builds on the phenomenal success of the three other SURF programs at NIST. 

 


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Last updated: 4/14/20084