The National Research Council announces the 1991 Resident, Cooperative and Postdoctoral Research Associateship Programs for research in the sciences and engineering to be conducted on behalf of 30 federal agencies or research institutions whose 115 participating research laboratories are located throughout the United States. The programs provide opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of the sponsoring laboratory. Initiated in 1954, the Associateship Programs have contributed to the career development of more than 7,000 scientists ranging from recent Ph.D. recipients to distinguished senior scientists.

Approximately 450 new full-time associateships will be awarded on a competitive basis in 1991 for research in: chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, engineering and applied sciences, biological, health and behavioral sciences, biotechnology, mathematics, space and planetary sciences and physics. Most of the programs are open to both U.S. and non-U.S. nationals, and to both recent Ph.D. degree recipients and senior investigators.

Awards are made for one or two years, renewable to a maximum of three years; senior applicants who have held the doctorate at least five years may request a shorter period. Annual stipends for recent Ph.D.s for the 1991 program year range from $27,150 to $42,000 depending upon the sponsoring laboratory, and will be appropriately higher for senior associates.

Financial support is provided for allowable relocation expenses and for limited professional travel for the duration of the award. The host laboratory provides the associate with programmatic assistance including facilities, support services, necessary equipment and travel necessary for the conduct of the approved research program.

Applications to the National Research Council must be postmarked no later than Jan. 15, 1991 (Dec. 15, 1990 for NASA), Apr. 15 and Aug. 15, 1991. Initial awards will be announced in March and April—July and November for the two later competitions—followed by awards to alternate candidates later.