About ORISE

Oak Ridge Associated Universities, with headquarters in Oak Ridge, TN, operates the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Research Participation Programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are managed by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) under an agreement between the CDC and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 

Established as an official DOE institute in 1992, with programs dating back to 1946, ORISE is a national leader in science education and research. ORISE is managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) for DOE.

Through the management of ORISE, ORAU directly supports DOE’s national agenda. We strive to advance science education and research programs, with a vision to be a national leader in these areas. We create opportunities for collaboration through partnerships with other DOE facilities, other federal agencies, the academic community, and industry.

Learn more about ORISE in the 2011 ORAU Annual Report

The ORISE Research Participation Programs at the CDC are educational and training programs designed to provide students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to participate in project-specific CDC research, current public health research, and developmental activities.

CDC ORISE participants do not perform work in place of federal employees; nor are they considered to be CDC employees. The CDC ORISE programs are considered a valuable human capital and workforce development tool, which provide educational experiences and training in public health as a means to introduce highly motivated participants to potential public health careers.

Connect with World-class Scientists through ORISE

Click below to watch a 2:00 minute video about the Science Education Programs at ORISE.