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. Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or academically equivalent research doctorate before beginning tenure. The Fellowships Office makes NRC Research Associateship awards at the postdoctoral and senior researcher levels. For Postdoctoral Associateships, applicants must have held the doctorate for less than five years as of the application deadline. For Senior Associateships, applicants are required to either have held a doctorate for at least five years by the application deadline or to have a permanent appointment in academia, government, or industry, complemented by research experience that has led to significant contributions and recognition as established investigators in their specific fields. Individuals with current or recent prior affiliation with the sponsoring agency they wish to apply to may not be eligible. Citizenship requirements for the NRC Research Associateship Programs vary depending on the sponsoring federal laboratory. Applicants must provide a Research Proposal Abstract that includes a clear statement of the problem to be studied and its importance to the host agency. Applicants must also submit a Research Proposal that reflects the applicant's thinking and design of an original research project that is within the scope of the Research Opportunity being applied to. Applicants must submit a minimum of three (maximum five) letters of references. The following letter writers should be included: Dissertation Adviser (required for Postdoctoral applicants); individuals (at least two) who have recently worked with the applicant in the applicant's major field; and individuals who are acquainted with the applicant's academic and professional background. The four application cycles are December 1 - February 1; March 1 - May 1; June 1 - August 1; and September 1 - November 1. Please visit the award's website for more information.