The Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI) affords juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from accredited high schools or home school programs in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Sevier counties the opportunity to participate in STEM or STEM-related projects with research and professional staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). 

Diversity is Key

Scientific discovery is a team effort. Researchers, engineers, and technical and business professionals support achievements in science and technology by helping to manage and operate research projects and facilities. We believe the teams required to solve the nation's most pressing scientific challenges are those that combine a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI) Details

• Appointments are for 7 weeks during the summer. 
• Participants are expected to participate full-time each week. A maximum of five days (without stipend) may be missed during the appointment period, after the first week of your appointment is completed, if necessary, for other commitments.
• Appointments will start on June 9, 2025, and end on July 25, 2025.  Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.
• Appointments will be conducted on-site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 
• $500 per week stipend based on full-time of participation each week.
• The opportunity to learn from world-renowned scientists and engineers.
• Optional professional development activities, including workshops, lab tours, lectures, poster sessions, seminars, and networking opportunities.

To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR) at the time of application
• Be a rising high school junior or senior for the 2025-2026 academic year (expected graduation in 2026 or 2027) OR
  • Have graduated high school during the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 academic calendar and not yet enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application
• Be in good standing at an accredited high school or enrolled in an accredited home school program in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, or Sevier county in Tennessee
• Be at least 16 years of age by the time of appointment
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Provide proof of health insurance coverage
• Complete a Zintellect application and acquire one recommendation from a STEM teacher, principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students. Recommendations must be submitted through the Zintellect application system.

The application will require:

• Profile information
• Educational details (i.e. dates of attendance/graduation, GPAs, majors, etc.)
• Goals
• Experience and Skills
• A brief resume (.pdf upload) *Please email ORNLedu@orau.org for a resume template, if needed*
• Academic records - for this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of academic records may be submitted showing name, school name, current/enrolled classes, and GPA (.pdf upload)
• One Recommendation - The application will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for review and consideration until one recommendation is received. Applicants will provide contact information for recommenders, including current email addresses. Applicants are encouraged to request multiple recommendations and begin contacting recommenders immediately upon submitting an application. Recommendation letters will be uploaded in Zintellect and should address the applicant’s academic record and potential for success in a STEM internship, as indicated by intellectual merit, research/technical, communication, and teamwork skills. Recommenders cannot be a family member. The first recommendation received via Zintellect will meet the program requirement. Applicants who are currently enrolled students must provide one letter from a current STEM teacher or principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students. Recent graduates must provide one letter from a former STEM teacher or principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students. Recommenders cannot be family members.

Electronic applications, including submitted recommendations, must be received through the Zintellect application system. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Applications that do not include recommendations from a STEM teacher, principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students will not be considered for selection.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED received within the last 12 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • 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 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 16 years old by 6/9/2025

I certify the following:

• I am a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application
• I am either a rising high school junior or senior for the 2025-2026 academic year (graduating in 2026 or 2027) OR I graduated high school during the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 academic years and have not yet enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application
• I am a student in good standing or a recent graduate from an accredited high school or enrolled in an accredited home school program in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, or Sevier county in Tennessee
• I will be least 16 years of age by the time of appointment
• I have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
• I can provide proof of health insurance coverage
• I can complete the Zintellect application and acquire one recommendation from a STEM teacher, principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students