ANNOUNCEMENT:
The following information is posted for information purposes only. It reflects the program benefits
and conditions for the previous competition cycle. Updated information for the upcoming competition cycle will be
posted at this same web address in the fall.
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Program Description
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accepting applications from all eligible college and university students to participate in a summer research
experience at federal research facilities. The DHS HS-STEM Summer Internship Program provides a 10-week summer research experience
for undergraduate students majoring in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM)
disciplines. Students who demonstrate long-term goals aligned with the mission and objectives of the Department
will have the opportunity to conduct research in DHS mission-relevant areas at various federal research
facilities. The goal of this program is to prepare a diverse, highly talented, educated, and skilled pool of scientists and engineers to
address HS-STEM issues.
The federal research facilities will benefit from the presence of highly motivated students with significant research potential
who will provide fresh perspectives and new ideas. Most importantly, the internship will promote long-term collaborative
relationships between talented student researchers, DHS, and federal research facilities.
DHS has partnered with Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) to manage the application and review process,
notification, and implementation of the Program. DHS Science and Technology Directorate will review applications
and make final award selections. DHS reserves the right to make no awards and in the absence of program funding
or for any other reason, to cancel this program. DHS assumes no liability for canceling the program or for anyone’s
failure to receive actual notification of cancellation.
Research must be conducted on site at the assigned federal research facility. It is anticipated that the research
undertaken by the participants will be unclassified.
Eligibility
- You must be a U.S. citizen as of the application deadline
- You must be designated as a junior or senior at an accredited four year U.S. college or university when you return
to school in Fall 2008
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college or university located in the United States or its
territories as of the application deadline
- You must be studying in a HS-STEM field with an interest in one of the homeland security areas listed below:
- Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response
- Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
- Risk and Decision Sciences
- Human Factors Aspects of Technology
- Chemical Threats and Countermeasures
- Biological Threats and Countermeasures
- Food and Agriculture Security
- Transportation Security
- Border Security
- Immigration Studies
- Maritime and Port Security
- Infrastructure Protection
- Natural Disasters and Related Geophysical Studies
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Communications and Interoperability
- Advanced Data Analysis and Visualization
- You must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale, averaged over all U.S. institutions
including Fall 2007 grades
Award
Participants will receive a stipend of $500 each week (or $5000 for 10 weeks). Transportation expenses for one round trip
between your current address and the assigned federal research facility, with some limitations, will be covered. The award does not
cover moving expenses to your hosting facility. You must be able to participate for 10 consecutive weeks.
Requirements of Appointment
The research experience will take place at a federal research facility, as approved by DHS, between the months of May
and August. In the application, students will indicate three participating facilities that they wish to be considered for,
in order of preference. The full-time research experience will require no less than 40 hours per week, for ten consecutive
weeks.
Participants are required to participate in a poster session and/or make an oral presentation to the scientific community
at the hosting venue. In addition, an eight to ten page paper about your internship experience and an evaluation form is required at the end of
the internship experience.
Application Deadlines
Please note that the dates below are postmark deadlines, not a receipt deadline. There is no need to send information
via overnight or special delivery.
- December 14, 2007: You must submit an application form, including all essay
questions on this date
- January 4, 2008: You must have two reference report forms submitted on
your behalf on this date
- January 4, 2008: You must have an official academic transcript from all
postsecondary institutions attended submitted on your behalf by this date
- January 4, 2008: If you are a U.S. citizen by birth and do not have a U.S. passport (current
or expired), you must submit a copy of your birth certificate by this date
We will not accept materials via fax or as e-mail attachments. Do not send duplicate items via fax or e-mail. Do not
submit resumes, off-prints, manuscripts, video tapes, slides, photographs, or other extraneous materials. Do not submit
more than the designated page limit for essay questions in the application. If you send any of these extraneouse materials,
they will not be used in the review of your application.
Evaluation Process
Applications will be evaluated by a DHS panel of scientists and engineers based on the student's academic record,
reference reports, and essays. DHS staff will pay attention to the applicant's research interests and the need for
individuals in the applicant's specific field or sub-field. The final selection of awardees is made by DHS.
Reviewers provide an overall rating based on the following:
- Academic Record
Transcripts are reviewed and evaluated in conjunction with information on the student’s academic progress, rigor of their
academic program, and other measures of academic success as demonstrated in the application.
- Reference Reports
The best reference reports come from professors who know the applicant and can make an informed judgment about the
applicant's fitness for the proposed program of study.
- Current Research Interests Essay
The best essay will demonstrate both an ability to define a research problem relevant to the DHS mission and an
understanding of how such a problem might be solved. An essay that pays careful attention to defining a research
interest that is relevant to the DHS mission can often succeed without much detail on how a research problem would
be solved. These essays should contain only original thoughts or other properly attributed information.
- Professional Goals Essay
The best essays will demonstrate insight into the career that interests you, the steps you may take to
achieve your goals, and indicate how the internship experience will contribute to your career goals. Reviewers also
take note of unique life experiences and backgrounds that motivate you to succeed in making the homeland safe and
secure.
Other Important Notes
- If you are currently enrolled at a 2-year institution and you are awarded a summer internship, before you can
accept the internship, you must be accepted at a 4-year institution that has agreed to accept your first two years
of study as transfer credit
- No commitment on the part of the participant, DHS, or the federal research facility with regard to later employment
is implied or should be inferred by the offer or acceptance of an award
- No deferrals of the internship will be allowed
- All participants are considered guest researchers/investigators and are subject to DHS and hosting facility regulations governing
scientists, engineers, other professionals, and students to determine their access to the hosting venue and eligibility
for an internship
- As a guest researcher, each participant is responsible for payment of income taxes and is advised to become
familiar with the relevant sections of the current tax codes
- Health-insurance is required for all participants
- Participation in the program is contingent upon the participants obtaining the proper clearance, if required.
Depending on the site, applicants are subject to the issuance of a visit authorization clearance. Participants
may not be allowed at the internship site until security access approval is given
- All applicants will be subject to a criminal records check and other background investigations conducted by the U.S.
Government. These inquiries are conducted to develop information to assess various factors about the applicant,
including reliability, trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, character, conduct and loyalty to the United States
- All applicants must have full command of the English language
