Graduate Student Opportunities
Feature photo by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Enhance your expertise and collaborate with many of the nation’s leading science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experts as you complete your research. Opportunities are available for current master’s degree and PhD students to participate as members of research teams at ORNL. All internships come with a stipend.
Application deadlines vary by program. Click on the program name to learn more about each opportunity.
Considerations:
- Most of ORNL’s programs are pool-based applications-it is recommended that you connect with a mentor!
- Unless indicated all internships have a requirements of:
- U.S. Citizenship or LPR status
- 3.0+ GPA
- Please see the frequently asked questions page for more information!
- Attend an ORNL Webinar to learn more about the application process
Summer, Spring and Fall Programs
Program
Eligibility
Duration & Commitment
DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program (SCGSR)
2024 Solicitation 1 closes May 7, 2025 5:00 PM ET
- Graduate students currently pursuing Ph.D. degrees
- Full eligibility details
- 3-12 months full-time
ORNL Research Student Internships (RSI)
Fall 2025 Applications close June 8, 2025.
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Recent Associate, Bachelor. and Masters graduates (within 2 years of graduation).
- US citizen or LPR
- Recently separated veterans
- Summer: full-time 10-12 weeks
- Fall/spring: full-time or part-time 16-20 weeks
Technical and Professional Internships (TPI)
Fall 2025 Applications close June 8, 2025.
- Currently enrolled in master’s or doctoral (Ph.D or J.D) degree program
- Recent graduate (master’s)
- US citizen or LPR
- 3.0+ GPA
- Summer: full-time 10-12 weeks
- Fall/spring: full-time or part-time 16-20 weeks
Graduate Research at ORNL (GRO)
No deadlines for GRO, contact a staff member in your discipline to get started.
- Currently enrolled in a doctoral degree program or thesis-requiring masters program
- 3.0+ GPA
- Able to spend the proposed dates at ORNL without the interruption of coursework. (Most students have completed coursework or come over the summer.)
- Full-time 2-12 months
The Bredesen Center
Fall 2025 applications close January 15, 2025
- Completed Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
- Review admissions criteria
- Full-time 3-12 months
Innovation in Buildings Graduate Research Fellowship (IBuild)
Summer 2025 applications close December 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET
- Enrolled or plan to enroll in master’s or doctorate program
- 12 months full-time
- Fellowship for research
Summer Programs
Program
Eligibility
Duration & Commitment
Summer 2025 applications open through February 1, 2025.
- U.S. citizen/LPR
- 3.0+ GPA
- Must be enrolled in law school at the time your application for the internship is submitted
- Must be available May 27- August 1, 2025
- On-site at ORNL
- Full-time
Modeling, Experimentation & Validation Summer School
Tackling Materials Challenges for the Next Generation of Nuclear
- PhD students and early career scientists interested in growing a foundational research base in nuclear materials and fuels.
- This program will take place July 25- August 1, 2025
Summer 2025 applications open through March 28, 2025.
The GEM Fellow Internship Program at ORNL (GEM)
Summer 2025 applications close November 8, 2024.
a student must first be awarded a fellowship by the National Gem Consortium then be invited to an internship at ORNL.
- 10-12 weeks
- Full-time
- On-site at ORNL
NNSA Minority Serving Institution Internship Program (MSIIP)
Summer 2025 applications now closed.
- US citizens only
- Undergraduate or Graduate student at a Minority Serving Institution.
- Summer: full-time 12 weeks
- Possibility to extend to 12 months.
National Neutron
Scattering School
Summer 2025 applications close April 16th, 2025.
- Eligibility details: View
- The National Neutron Scattering School will take place September 6-12, 2025.
JUMP into STEM
Challenges and Internship applications close November 8, 2024 5:00 PM ET.
- Undergraduate or graduate student
- Summer: full-time 10 weeks
For more information about graduate opportunities, please email [email protected].
Graduate Student Opportunities are managed by ORNL and administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education
a student must first be awarded a fellowship by the National Gem Consortium then be invited to an internship at ORNL.