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Undergraduate Student Opportunities

Higher Education Research Experiences (HERE)

This program is open to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who are currently enrolled in an A.S. or B.S. degree program with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0, including those who have completed a B.S. within the past year. Opportunities are available for 10 to 12 weeks during the summer term; some sabbatical appointments lasting 6 to 12 months, plus some intermittent appointments, also are available.

Undergraduate Student Cooperative Education Program (COOP)

The ORNL Co-op Program provides opportunities for qualified undergraduate students to receive hands-on experience in a real-world setting that prepare them to become part of tomorrow’s workforce. The Co-op Program has no citizenship requirements and it accepts applications year-round.

Department of Energy (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)

The DOE SULI program is a nationwide undergraduate internship experience that occurs at a National Laboratory. The program is open to undergraduate students that are either U.S.citizens or legal permanent residents. Students must have completed the first semester of college. Applications open on May 1 for a fall internship, September 1 for a spring internship, and October 1 for a 10 week summer internship.

Laboratory Technology Program (TECH)

This program offers full-time or part-time internship opportunities for hands-on training and experience while in school or as a recent graduate. Students must live within working distance of ORNL. Appointments are for up to one year; applications are accepted on a year-round basis. The TECH program is open to both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who are enrolled as an undergraduate at either a two-year or a four-year institution with one semester of coursework completed. Recent A.S. and B.S. graduates within one semester of graduation may also apply.

NRC Historically Black Colleges and Universities Student Research Participation

This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities for work being conducted by the NRC or grants. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Summer appointments are for 10-12 weeks with some part-time options.

Department of Energy (DOE) Community College Institute (CCI)

This program places students from community colleges into paid internships across the country at a DOE National Laboratory.Students work with scientists or engineers on projects related to the laboratories’ research programs. The CCI program is open to both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents during the summer term for 10 weeks for students currently in working toward a STEM related degree at community college and with at least one semester completed.

Department of Energy Pre-Service Teacher Internships (PST)

The PST is for undergraduate students studying to be K-12 teachers. The PST program offers opportunities to participate in educational training and research relating to preparation for teaching K-12 science, mathematics, and technology education. This 10-week program is open to both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents during the summer term.

Great Lakes Colleges Association/Associated Colleges of the Midwest, Oak Ridge Science Semester (ORSS)

There are no citizenship requirements, but applicants must be undergrad students at institutions belonging to either the Great Lakes Colleges Association, Inc. or the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. Applications are due by March 1st each year.

Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis (NESLS)

This cooperative research initiative is geared toward students in physics and nuclear engineering. There are no citizenship requirements. Summer applications must be received by March 1 for a 10-week appointment.