Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships

Who Should Apply...Eligibility

Students who are majoring in any branch of science, math, engineering and technology are encouraged to apply. The Department of Energy-Headquarters also has interns majoring in science or public policy. 

This program is not a job. It is an internship and is intended to support the intellectual and professional development of students who have a sincere desire to be fully involved in a program which offers an intensive, mentored scientific research experience.

Applicant Requirements

To be eligible, applicants:

1. Must be currently enrolled full time as an undergraduate student and completed at least one college semester. Students who will complete their undergraduate degree prior to starting their internship may apply as Graduating Seniors.
2. Must be 18 years or older at the start of the program
3. Must be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien
4. Must have earned a high school diploma or GED
5. Can participate in a maximum of two SULI internships
6. Must have coverage under a health insurance plan. It is the responsibility of each participant to secure insurance coverage before arriving at the appointment site.

Students are limited to the number and type of appointments they can receive. Students attending a Community College are encouraged to apply to the Community College Institute for Science and Technology first in order to be eligible for the maximum number of internships; however, Community College students and Pre-Service Teachers are also eligible to apply for the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship.

Graduating Seniors

If you will complete your undergraduate degree before the beginning of the internship term for which you are applying, you are still eligible to apply given the following two conditions: (1) you have not yet started a program of graduate study and you will not matriculate as a graduate student prior to completing your SULI term and (2) the time period between completing your undergraduate degree and starting your SULI term is less than one year. If you meet these requirements, please complete the SULI application including the Graduating Senior page and submit both electronically.

Graduating seniors may also apply for policy positions at the laboratories where they help direct the lab’s education programs and serve as advisors to other undergraduate interns. Graduating seniors will often be asked to help other interns with their writing assignments and should have strong communication skills, especially in science and/or technology writing. In order to specify this option on the application, select "Science Policy" as the desired research area for the laboratory to which you are applying.