ORISE, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Pierre Decouflé Fellowship Program

Dr. Pierre Decouflé

The “Centers for Disease Control” Pierre Decouflé Fellowship is awarded to an individual seeking a career in the health research field who will benefit from an applied epidemiologic and developmental disabilities research learning experience with CDC. The fellowship will also help to build CDC's long-term capacity to conduct applied studies in developmental disabilities. The fellowship is named for the late Dr. Pierre Decouflé.

Dr. Decouflé began his career in the area of developmental disabilities research at CDC in 1988. Prior to that, he spent 5 years in research with the Agent Orange Program at the National Center for Environmental Health and 12 years in statistical, epidemiologic, and leadership positions at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. During his long and prestigious career, Dr. Decouflé was also an associate professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Arizona, a role he never quite relinquished and which infused his professional life through teaching, mentoring, advising, and assisting others in their professional development. This fellowship honors that spirit of both caring and professionalism that Dr. Decouflé exemplified in his life and his work.

Please Note: This fellowship is open continuously. Applicants need to specify the Decoufle Fellowship on their application form. View Application and Selection Procedure for additional information.

[Return to top of page]

Overview
The Research Participation Program for Centers for Disease Control and National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) provides opportunities for members of the academic community (that is, postgraduates, students, and faculty) to participate in NCBDDD programs, projects, and activities. The program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). The goal of the ORISE Fellowship program is to enhance the educational programs offered by academic institutions, strengthen the scientific and technical workforce base, transfer knowledge and technology to the academic community, and support a growing national commitment to science education.

ORISE Fellowship Program
College and university faculty, students, and postgraduates are provided opportunities for hands-on participation in research and development activities at federal science programs and laboratories. To be eligible for the program, (1) a postgraduate participant must have received a college degree within 3 years of the date of appointment, (2) a student participant must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university, and (3) a faculty participant must be a full-time faculty member at an accredited U.S. college or university. These requirements help to ensure that participants are still engaged in formal education and that the experience will enhance their personal education and skills. As a result of these appointments, technology is introduced (or reintroduced) into the universities and colleges and integrated into campus-based instruction and research programs. The ORISE program provides opportunities for participants to (1) continue their education in the areas of their participation; (2) enhance their professional development in science, mathematics, and engineering areas; (3) become familiar with the research areas of the federal sponsor; and (4) become available as scientists and engineers for future employment in fields related to the NCBDDD mission.

People selected for the appointments do not become federal employees. Participants will become administratively associated with ORISE through a letter of appointment and terms of appointment. They will receive guest appointments at NCBDDD and will not enter into an employer/employee relationship with NCBDDD, CDC, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), ORISE, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), or any other federal office or agency.

Program participants are paid a monthly stipend. No salaries or fringe benefits are paid. Participants do not earn sick leave or annual leave time, although the host facility can permit occasional absences without reduction of the stipend payment or termination of the appointment.

Appointments involve a full-time commitment to the research program at NCBDDD, and the appointees’ research participation must be conducted in a manner and according to a time schedule that meets the overall requirements of NCBDDD. The participants are expected to be at the host facility during designated working hours and at all times observe and conform to all applicable rules, regulations, and requirements of the facility including, but not limited to, those respecting environment, safety, and health (ES&H) and ES&H training requirements, security, operating and health physics procedures, drug-free work place notification requirements, and conduct.

Each participant is assigned to a particular host facility and given a specific assignment under a mentor scientist. The assignment may be broad, but it should be a definable project with a beginning and an end. The mentor is responsible for guiding and assisting the participant on the project, but is not the participant's supervisor.

[Return to top of page]

Eligibility
An applicant for the postgraduate component must have received a college degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) in an appropriate science or engineering discipline within 3 years of the desired starting date or expect to complete all requirements for such a degree before the desired starting date.

An applicant for a student appointment must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. college, university, or technical institute, and in an academic program leading to an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree. Student applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have completed the freshman year, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher (based on a 4.0 point scale) from institutions of higher education.

An applicant for a faculty appointment must be a full-time faculty member at an accredited U.S. college or university.

U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien status is preferred. Other applicants, including established scientists interested in new training activities, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Disciplines appropriate to the program include, but are not limited to, the physical, biological, medical, and computer sciences; engineering; and supporting disciplines.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, religion, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.

[Return to top of page]

Benefits
Postgraduate (including post-baccalaureate) participants will receive a monthly stipend, which varies depending on degree level, discipline, and experience. Student participants receive a stipend based on academic standing and discipline.

Faculty participants and other established scientists or engineers receive a monthly stipend based on their regular salaries. Participants with sabbatical leave appointments are expected to have at least one-half of their salary paid by their home institutions.

[Return to top of page]

Appointment Period
Postgraduate (including post-baccalaureate) appointments will be for 1 year, renewable for up to 2 additional years upon recommendation of NCBDDD. All appointments are subject to the availability of funds and may be terminated if appropriated funds are unavailable.

[Return to top of page]

Application and Selection Procedure
Applications will be received, processed, and reviewed by ORISE for eligibility and completeness. Applications for all eligible candidates will be transmitted to the NCBDDD. The final selection of participants will be made by NCBDDD in cooperation with ORISE. Those selected will be offered appointments through ORISE.

An applicant interested in the postgraduate, student, or faculty programs for NCBDDD should contact ORISE for general information and an application packet. The completed application and supporting materials must be submitted directly to ORISE. Copies should be sent to VWashington@cdc.gov to facilitate selection process.

A postgraduate applicant must submit the following: an application form, a resume, a publication list (if applicable), reprints or abstracts of publications, and a statement of research interests. The other supporting materials required for a completed application are official transcripts of the applicant's academic record and two references, including one from the applicant's dissertation or thesis advisor.

A student applicant must submit the following: an application form, a certificate of enrollment, two references, and official transcripts of the applicant's academic record. [Click here to download either PDF or MS Word document]

A faculty applicant must submit the following: an application form, two references, a resume, a publication list, and a statement of research interests.

The completed application will be used for the purpose of selecting participants and administering the research participation program and will be copied for that purpose. Disclosure of such information is made subject to Public Law 93-579 (the Privacy Act of 1974) and the U.S. Department of Energy regulations as published in the Federal Register of September 30, 1977.

The final selection of participants will be made by NCBDDD in cooperation with ORISE and will be based on scientific background and experience; research accomplishments; academic records; recommendations; compatibility of the applicant's background with the interests of NCBDDD; and the availability of funds, programs, staff, and facilities.

[Return to top of page]

Conditions and Obligations
All contingencies of an appointment offer must be met before an awardee can begin an appointment. For example, if an award is offered to a candidate for a college degree, the college must present acceptable evidence that the candidate has completed all of the formal academic requirements for such a degree before a postgraduate appointment can begin.

Participants will become administratively associated with ORISE through a letter of appointment and terms of appointment. They will receive guest appointments at NCBDDD and will not enter into an employer/employee relationship with CDC, ORAU, ORISE, DOE, or any other federal office or agency.

Health insurance is required, but the premiums are not paid by the program.

Appointments involve a full-time commitment to the research program at NCBDDD, and participants must be in residence at NCBDDD or another approved facility during the entire period of the appointment. Appointees’ research participation must be conducted in a manner and according to a time schedule that meets the overall requirements of NCBDDD.

Participants are required to sign and abide by the appointment letter, the terms of appointment (which includes a disclaimer of liability), and other documents required by NCBDDD. Pursuant to Title 35 U.S. Code, Section 212, no provision of the ORISE Terms of Appointment or any other document required by NCBDDD to be completed by a participant may contain any provision giving NCBDDD any rights to inventions made by the participant.

Participants are encouraged to submit a report of their accomplishments to ORISE, to acknowledge the support of NCBDDD and CDC on publications and presentations that are related to research conducted during the appointment, and to provide a copy of such publications to ORISE. Participants should acknowledge support by the following statement: "This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an agreement between the Department of Energy and NCBDDD."

About ORISE
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a Department of Energy facility managed and operated by Oak Ridge Associated Universities. Its diverse array of complementary, and often unique, programs include the following:

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living. Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.