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Would you like to travel to both Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, Canada to learn from subject matter experts about DHS’s international partnerships?

The Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER) Program is offering undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experiences with federal facilities and other HS-STEM focused international partners in both Washington, D.C, and Ottawa, Canada.  

The HS-Power Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate Office of University Programs is open to students majoring in a broad spectrum of homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines as well as DHS mission-relevant research areas.

You will gain a competitive edge as you apply your education, talent and skills in a variety of settings within the DHS enterprise. You will also establish connections with DHS professionals that facilitate long-term relationships between yourself, researchers, DHS personnel and research facilities.

How to Apply

A completed application consists of:

• A completed Zintellect Profile
• A completed Application:

The application includes questions specific to the program addressing each of the following topics:

Personal Narrative: Describe your personal motivation for applying as well as your specific interest in the program.

Career Goals: Describe your career goals and the ways that participation in the program may assist you in accomplishing your goals-include any relevant experience. What do you hope to learn over the course of the appointment that may help you meet your career goals? How does your future career interest align with DHS’s mission to safeguard the American people?

Research Interests and Relevance to DHS Research Areas: Describe how your personal research interests and completed coursework align with DHS research areas. Describe your current research interests, including one or more research questions or problems you would like to pursue. In your essay, attribute words and ideas other than your own to their proper source.

• Transcripts/Academic Records - Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcripts/Academic records must include name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed/in progress coursework and grades. Documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. Copies of official transcripts will be required if an appointment is offered to verify enrollment during the Spring 2022 term.
• 2 Letters of Recommendation: You are encouraged to request recommendations from a professional who can speak to your academic record and potential for success in an appointment as indicated by academic accomplishments, as well as communication and teamwork skills. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendation must be submitted before an offer is made.

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect. All application components must be received in the system in order to be considered.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO!  Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

Benefits

·  Stipend: Undergraduate students receive of $600 per week and graduate students will receive $700 per week.

·  Travel: Travel reimbursement for inbound and outbound expenses for participants to travel to Washington, DC and Ottawa, Canada                                 

·  Housing Allowance: reimbursement for housing expenses and assistance with housing arrangements will be provided.

Appointment Details

Appointments will be for 10 consecutive weeks. The following schedule is an approximation of the timeframe

• 1-2 weeks in Washington, D.C, with DHS and ORISE personnel as an orientation to the project.
• 7 weeks in Ottawa, Canada with DHS personnel assigned to locations in Ottawa.
• 1 week final debrief and final project presentation in Washington, D.C.

· Interns will be assigned to research projects and/or other technical activities under the guidance of a mentor.

· An appointment involves a full-time commitment based on 40 hours per week.

· HS-POWER participants are required to have health insurance coverage during the appointment period and to provide proof of this coverage prior to the start of the appointment.

Review and Selection Process

Completed applications will undergo an eligibility and compliance check by ORISE. Applications are reviewed and selected by sponsoring offices in a rolling review and approval process.  

Nature of Appointment

Participants will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DHS, or hosting facility. Instead, participants will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

For more information, contact us at dhsed@orau.org.

In order to be considered, applicants must meet each of the following criteria:

• Be a United States (U.S.) citizen as of the application deadline. Evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted to ORISE at the time appointment is accepted.
• Be 18 years of age or older by desired start date.
• Have a US Passport by May 31, 2022. Please note that the process of obtaining a passport can take up to 10 weeks. Interested students are strongly encouraged to begin the passport application process immediately.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale as of Fall 2021.
• Be majoring in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field (inclusive of the social sciences) with interest in homeland security research as described in the DHS Research Areas.
• Be interested in pursuing long-term career goals aligned with the DHS mission and objectives.
• Have the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance to access hosting facility.
• Meet one of the following conditions:
  • Full-time enrollment as a freshman, sophomore or junior undergraduate student at a U.S. accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • Full-time enrollment as a senior undergraduate student at a U.S. accredited 4-year college or university during the 2021-2022 academic year and plans to be enrolled as a graduate student at a U.S. accredited college or university for Fall 2022.
  • Full-time enrollment as a graduate student at a U.S. accredited college or university during the 2021-2022 academic year, and plans to continue enrollment in Fall 2022.

Additional Information

• For students enrolled at a 2-year institution during the 2021-2022 academic year: Internship assignment is contingent on the student providing proof of application to a 4-year institution at the time appointment is accepted.
• For undergraduate seniors graduating in spring or summer 2022: Internship assignment is contingent on the student providing proof of application to an accredited graduate institution at the time appointment is accepted.
• Graduate students with an expected graduation date prior to summer 2022 term are not eligible to participate.
• Students must demonstrate interest in research and development of innovative, next-generation homeland security solutions with potential for broad impact that align with the DHS mission to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.
• Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated history of work, undergraduate research experience, or service learning/volunteer roles.

Important Information

• Preference will be given to applicants who are:
  • Veterans and Disabled Veterans
  • Underrepresented minorities in STEM
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Persons possessing a suitability or security clearance within the last five years

Employees of DHS Component agencies or participating partner agencies are not eligible to participate in this program.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Currently pursuing an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age