Undergraduate Student Opportunities
Feature photo by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
ORNL undergraduate research opportunities address ORNL’s scientific mission: materials, neutron sciences, energy, high-performance computing, systems biology, and national security. All internships come with a stipend. Explore the opportunities and apply today for a high-impact internship experience!
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
Commitment & Duration
DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Summer 2026 applications close January 7, 2026
- Undergraduate students or recent Associate and Bachelor graduates (within 2 years of graduation).
- Summer: full-time 10 weeks
- Fall/spring: full-time 16 weeks
DOE Community College Internships (CCI)
Summer 2026 applications close January 7, 2026
- Community college students
- Summer: full-time 10 weeks
- Fall/spring: part-time 16 weeks
ORNL Research Student Internships (RSI)
Summer 2026 applications close February 26, 2026 11:59 PM ET
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Recent Associate, Bachelor. and Masters graduates (within 2 years of graduation).
- Recently separated veterans
- Summer: full-time 10-12 weeks
- Fall/spring: full-time or part-time 16-20 weeks
ORNL Technical and Professional Internships (TPI)
Summer 2026 applications close February 26, 2026 11:59 PM ET
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Recent Associate, Bachelor. and Masters graduates (within 2 years of graduation).
- Recently separated veterans
- Summer: full-time 10-12 weeks
- Fall/spring: full-time or part-time 16-20 weeks
- High school or higher graduates who have experienced barriers to employment.
No minimum GPA requirement
- 3 times annually
- 3-5 days a week, 16-weeks
Summer Only Programs
Program
Eligibility
Commitment & Duration
NNSA Minority Serving Institution Internship Program (MSIIP)
Summer 2026 applications closed.
- Undergraduate or Graduate student a Minority Serving Institution.
- US citizens only
- Summer: full-time 12 weeks
- Possibility to extend to 12 months.
Pathways to Computing Internship Program (PCIP)
Summer 2026 applications close January 30, 2026
- Undergraduate student
- No citizenship requirement
- Summer: full-time 10 weeks
The University of Maine and ORNL SM²ART REU Program
Summer 2025 applications closed.
- Current undergraduates completing their freshman, sophomore, or junior year
- Program dates: May 25-August 1, 2025
The Minority for Environmental Scholars Program (MES)
Summer 2026 applications close January 10, 2026
- a rising sophomore, junior, or senior from a Minority Serving Institution.
- pursuing a degree in STEM , environmental science.
- Summer: full-time 10 weeks
UT-ORII SMaRT Internships Program (SMaRT)
Summer 2026 applications close early February.
- Undergraduate student
- Summer: full-time 10 weeks
Do your PhD at ORNL!
The Bredesen Center
Fall 2026 applications close December 1, 2025
- Completed Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
- Review admissions criteria
A joint doctoral training program between the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supporting PhD students in interdisciplinary research across energy, data, and genome science.
For more information about undergraduate opportunities, please email [email protected].