Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a consortia focused on strengthening the national workforce and bridging the gap between federal agencies, industry, and academia. Their overarching mission is "Developing, connecting, and strengthening the workforce for a better world," with a heavy emphasis on STEM education, public health, and national security.
ORAU's current priorities are structured around the lifecycle of the scientific and technical workforce:
- Workforce Development & STEM Education: Creating a pipeline from K-12 to seasoned professionals, with a focus on underrepresented groups and emerging technologies like AI and Biotechnology (the theme for the 2026 annual meeting).
- Health & Community Resilience: Addressing occupational health, emergency preparedness, and public health research (e.g., disaster resilience and climate information for rural areas).
- National Security & Nuclear Readiness: Supporting the "nuclear renaissance" by training workers for nuclear energy generation and critical infrastructure.
Research Focus Areas: Key technical pillars include Atmospheric Science, Epidemiology & Exposure Science, Health Communication, and Advanced Manufacturing.
HOW TO ENGAGE
ORD is working to identify existing MSU capacities that will allow us to partner with ORAU to reach their priorities. Specifically, we are looking at how our programs strategically align with theirs, what expertise and capabilities we may contribute to priorities, what unique infrastructure and resources we can leverage for joint proposals, and how a robust partnership can strengthen both MSU and ORAU.
To determine these items in relation to ORAU priorities, we are launching a survey for all interested parties. The more responses we receive, the better we can plan for future initiatives with ORAU.
Please complete the capabilities and interests form HERE.
Your Response Matters!