The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Research Participation Program offers current students, recent graduates and eligible university faculty an opportunity to explore research experiences connected to the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The programme is administered through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, commonly known as ORISE. Available opportunities are published in an online catalogue and managed through Zintellect, ORISE’s application-management platform.
Rather than advertising one single position, the programme provides access to a changing collection of research opportunities. Applicants should visit the official catalogue regularly, use the available filters and review each listing separately to identify projects that match their academic background, research interests and professional goals.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, and additional opportunities are added regularly. However, each individual position may have its own eligibility requirements, application instructions and closing date.
About the CDC Research Participation Program
The CDC Research Participation Program connects eligible applicants with research opportunities associated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The programme may be relevant to people seeking practical research exposure, experience in a public-health environment or opportunities to apply academic knowledge to real-world scientific and policy questions.
Because the programme contains multiple listings rather than a single recruitment cycle, applicants may find opportunities covering different subjects, locations, educational levels and research areas.
The specific responsibilities, duration and qualifications will depend on the individual opportunity selected from the catalogue.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that all CDC research opportunities have the same conditions. Every listing should be read carefully before an application is submitted.
Who Should Explore the Current CDC Research Opportunities?
The official programme information states that applications are accepted from:
- Current students
- Recent graduates
- Faculty members at United States colleges and universities
These categories are broad, and the exact academic or professional requirements may differ from one opportunity to another.
For example, one project may be designed for undergraduate students, while another may require a graduate degree, specialised laboratory training or experience in a particular research field.
Some opportunities may be suitable for applicants in areas such as:
- Public health
- Epidemiology
- Biological sciences
- Laboratory research
- Environmental health
- Data science
- Statistics
- Behavioural and social sciences
- Health communication
- Medicine
- Health policy
- Other related disciplines
These subject areas are examples of fields that may be relevant to CDC-related research. Applicants must rely on the official description of each individual opportunity to confirm whether their background is suitable.
How the Opportunities Catalogue Works
The ORISE website provides an online catalogue of current CDC research opportunities.
Applicants can browse the catalogue and use search or filtering functions to identify positions that match their qualifications and interests.
Each listing should normally provide the information needed to decide whether to apply, such as:
- Project title
- Research area
- Host office or programme
- Required education
- Applicant eligibility
- Location or participation format
- Expected activities
- Application deadline
- Required documents
- Opportunity number
- Contact details
The exact information available may differ between listings.
Applicants should click the title of an opportunity to open its full description rather than relying only on the summary displayed in the catalogue.
Why Applicants Should Check the Website Regularly
CDC research opportunities are available throughout the year, and new listings may be added at different times.
There is no single annual deadline covering every position.
An applicant who does not find a suitable opportunity during one visit may find a relevant new listing later. For this reason, interested candidates should check the catalogue regularly.
It may be helpful to search using several combinations of keywords, including:
- Academic discipline
- Research technique
- Degree level
- Public-health topic
- Geographic location
- CDC programme area
Applicants should also review opportunities slightly outside their main specialisation. A position may require transferable skills in research, data analysis, writing or project support even when its title does not exactly match the applicant’s degree.
Using Zintellect to Apply
Applications are managed through Zintellect, ORISE’s online application system.
To apply for any listed CDC research opportunity, candidates must first create a Zintellect profile.
To visit the official Zintellect website, CLICK HERE.
Once an account has been created, applicants can use the platform to:
- Review available opportunities
- Open full project descriptions
- Prepare an applicant profile
- Upload supporting documents
- Submit applications
- Monitor the status of submitted applications
- Apply to additional opportunities when eligible
Applicants should ensure that the information entered into their profile is complete and accurate.
A partially completed profile may delay an application or make it more difficult to demonstrate eligibility.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Visit the Official Opportunities Catalogue
Begin by reviewing the current CDC research opportunities on the ORISE website.
Use the catalogue’s search and filter functions to identify relevant listings.
2. Read the Full Opportunity Description
Click the title of the position and examine all sections carefully.
Pay particular attention to:
- Eligibility
- Required qualifications
- Research duties
- Educational level
- Location
- Application deadline
- Required documents
Do not apply based only on the title.
3. Record the Opportunity Number
Each opportunity may have a reference or opportunity number.
Applicants should save this number because it may be required when contacting ORISE with questions.
4. Create a Zintellect Account
Candidates who do not already have an account must create a profile at Zintellect.
Complete all requested sections before beginning the application.
5. Prepare the Required Documents
The exact requirements will be stated in the selected listing.
Depending on the opportunity, applicants may be asked to submit documents such as:
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Academic transcripts
- Personal or research statement
- Cover letter
- References
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of enrolment
- Proof of degree completion
- Writing or research samples
Applicants should not assume that the same documents are required for every position.
6. Submit Before the Individual Deadline
Although programme opportunities are advertised throughout the year, individual listings may close on specific dates.
Applicants should submit early and verify that all uploaded documents are readable and complete.
7. Monitor the Application
After submitting, candidates should continue checking their Zintellect account and email for updates, requests or further instructions.
Important Points to Check Before Applying
Because the catalogue contains multiple research opportunities, conditions may vary significantly.
Applicants should verify the following for every listing:
Eligibility
Confirm whether the opportunity is open to current students, recent graduates, faculty members or another specified group.
Degree Requirements
Check whether the listing requires an undergraduate, master’s, doctoral or professional degree.
Graduation Window
Some opportunities for recent graduates may define how recently the applicant must have completed their degree.
Citizenship or Residency Requirements
The general programme summary provided does not state one universal citizenship rule for every opportunity.
Applicants must check each listing for any citizenship, residency, visa or work-authorisation conditions.
Location and Participation Format
Determine whether the opportunity is:
- In person
- Remote
- Hybrid
- Based at a particular CDC site
- Connected to another approved research location
Deadline
There is no single deadline for the whole catalogue.
Each position may have its own closing date.
Financial and Appointment Conditions
The general information provided does not specify a standard stipend, salary, benefits package or appointment duration.
Applicants should review the individual opportunity description for any available information about financial support and programme conditions.
Technical Support
Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with Zintellect may contact:
Zintellect Support: Zintellect@orau.org
When requesting support, applicants should describe the technical issue clearly.
Questions about a particular research opportunity should include the relevant opportunity number so that ORISE staff can identify the correct listing.
Application Deadline
There is no single universal application deadline for all CDC Research Participation Program opportunities.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, and new opportunities are added regularly.
However, individual listings may have specific deadlines. Applicants must follow the date stated in the opportunity they intend to apply for.
Conclusion
The CDC Research Participation Program provides a central route for students, recent graduates and eligible faculty members to explore research opportunities connected to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because the programme includes a regularly updated catalogue of separate positions, applicants should search the official website frequently and review each opportunity on its own terms.
The most important first step is to create a complete Zintellect profile. Candidates can then explore available projects, compare eligibility requirements and apply directly to opportunities that match their academic and professional background.
The catalogue may change throughout the year, so the absence of a suitable opening today does not mean that another relevant opportunity will not appear tomorrow. Research careers are occasionally built through grand discoveries—but often they begin with the less glamorous art of checking the right webpage at the right time.
For current CDC research opportunities, visit the official ORISE opportunities catalogue and select the title of any listing to view its complete description.
For more information about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.
