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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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1. Eligibility |
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2. Applications |
5. Sponsor |
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3. Selection |
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Can I apply if I don't have permanent resident status (green card),
but I know I will get it before my appointment starts?
PRA status is for citizens of foreign countries who have established permanent
residency in the United States. It is preferred that you already have
your PRA status at the time you apply. However, if you are sure you will
have it before you start your appointment, answer "yes" to the
citizenship eligibility question in the application. Put the word "Pending"
in the PRA number box and indicate your country of citizenship in the
appropriate box. Keep in mind that, unless the PRA process is well under
way at the time you apply, it may be difficult to complete it by the time
your appointment is scheduled to start. You will not be able to start
your appointment if you cannot provide documentation of PRA status.
Can I apply to a second CCI internship?
No, you must apply to the SULI program in the second year.
The CCI is an entrance-level program designed for students
who have not had an opportunity to work in an advanced research environment.
I'm an undergraduate student, but I won't be 18 years old for another
year. If this program is for undergraduate students, why can't I participate?
Eighteen is the minimum age for participation regardless of your education
level.
Do I have to have health insurance coverage to apply or can I wait until
I'm selected to acquire it?
You must have health insurance in order to begin your appointment. That
means that you will not be eligible to receive a stipend payment until
you have health insurance. Since some insurance providers have a waiting
period from the time you apply, you may need to plan ahead in order to
start your appointment at the desired time and still serve the full appointment.
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Is it possible for me to send in an application now and remain on
file for consideration next year?
No, your application will only be kept on record for the current year.
You must reapply to be considered for next year.
Do I have to click on the Final Submit button to complete my portion of the online application before asking my recommenders to submit their recommendations online?
No. Recommendations may be submitted at any time after you have started your online application. The recommenders use a unique URL that will link their completed recommendation to your application and your status page will show that the recommendation has been submitted.
Do my reference letters need to reach you by the deadline?
You should plan to have all parts of your application reach us by the
deadline.
Can references be sent by e-mail?
No. You must use the electronic process. Part of your application
includes a page with a URL unique to your application that you should
print
and give to the
people you would like to submit a recommendation on your behalf.
Each person writing a reference for you will complete the online
recommendation
form and
submit it electronically. This is the only way to ensure that your
recommendations are properly linked with your application.
Who should I get to write my references?
References should be submitted by someone familiar with your academic achievements and your academic ability. College faculty members who teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics courses are the best references, but you may also use former high school teachers, lab assistants, teaching assistants, or employers (especially if they are in a research setting).
Am I required to submit transcripts?
Not for the application. You are required to list all courses you have
successfully completed and are currently taking. Before you can begin
an appointment, you may be required to submit a transcript to your host
facility. Any discrepancies between what you reported on your application
and your official transcript may be grounds for termination.
How do I select a laboratory?
The application contains information on currently participating laboratories
and the scientific research areas available at those sites. You will
also
find links to home pages of each participating facility. Choose a
laboratory based on the type of research and the subject matter that
interests
you.
If you are interested in biology, for example, choose a site that
has research projects in that discipline. Some laboratories do not
participate
in the semester component of the program. You may want to check with
us
to confirm the list of participating laboratories for any given term.
What should I do if I don't have a preference of a laboratory?
You may select 'any lab' or make a specific laboratory
choice.
Can I get in touch with scientists at the laboratories I've chosen?
Is this advisable?
Yes. As you explore the laboratories' Web sites, you may identify scientists,
offices, or divisions you would like to contact. The more you know about
a laboratory, the better chance you have of making a laboratory choice
appropriate to your interests and skills. HOWEVER, potential mentors
are NOT authorized to offer you an appointment. If you are selected you
must receive an official letter from the Department of Energy. This notification
will be followed by an official letter from the laboratory or its administrative
agent. You have not been given an official offer until you receive these
two things.
Will you let me know if you are missing parts of my application?
It is your responsibility to check your "Status Page" to ensure
that your application is complete.
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How does the selection process work?
When the deadline for all applications arrives, prospective mentors at
the respective laboratories review all applications. The mentors and
Education personnel at the labs are involved in the selection process.
How are applications judged?
Your application will be judged on your educational experience, research
interests, and references. Researchers are looking for someone who is
interested in the kind of research they are conducting and who will benefit
from their expertise and facilities.
How can I maximize my chances of getting selected?
Make your laboratory choice carefully. Investigate the laboratories'
Web Sites. Take some time to answer the narrative parts of the application.
Convey the quality of your skills and your enthusiasm for research. Make
sure your application is complete and that you submit it by the deadline.
Why am I asked if I have participated in any other DOE programs? Does
answering yes to that question help or hurt my chances of being selected?
There is no good or bad answer to this question. DOE wants to be able
to gauge how many students know about other DOE programs.
What are my chances of getting selected?
Hundreds of appointments will be made in many different facilities. There
is no way of knowing how many applications will be received for any given
year, nor what the quality of those applications will be. However, one
thing is
certain: If you don't apply, you certainly won't get selected!
Is this program only for natural science, engineering, mathematics,
or computer science majors?
Students in these disciplines have the best chance for selection. However,
students in related disciplines who demonstrate interests and capabilities
in research areas available at the participating laboratories may also
be appointed.
When and how will I find out if I've been selected?
You will receive an e-mail from DOE notifying you of your selection.
Your status page will indicate you have been selected. The DOE facility
administering
your appointment will follow up with an appointment letter and other
documents explaining the details of your appointment. If you think you
might have
been selected and haven't heard anything, please check your status page.
Mentors at laboratories are not authorized to make appointment offers
by telephone. Official notification must come first from DOE and then
from the laboratory. Please check your status page frequently,
as you will only have 2 weeks in which to accept an offer once it has
been made.
If I don't get selected this time, will my application be reviewed
again next year automatically or do I have to reapply?
You must reapply.
If I request a certain field of study, am I guaranteed to be placed in it if I am accepted into the program?
No, but we make every attempt at properly matching students with mentors.
Remember that the researchers read your applications carefully and look
for students that they think would benefit from being in their lab.
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What if I can only participate for a portion of the appointment period
due to other commitments?
Participation requires a full time commitment for the duration of the
appointment period. You should plan to be at the facility full time and
avoid obligations that will interrupt your appointment.
Is there any flexibility in start and end dates?
At some facilities. Appointments are for 10 weeks in the summer. Although
you should plan to participate for the entire appointment period, your
may have flexibility at some facilities. Other facilities may have set
dates. If you have restricted availability, check with the facility to
see if it can accommodate you. Remember that you must fulfill all eligibility
requirements for participation, such as obtaining health insurance coverage,
before you can start your appointment.
Do I get any vacation during the appointment period?
The program does not include vacation or sick leave. You are not expected
to be present on days that your facility is closed due to a holiday. Most
mentors will help you design a schedule that is mutually agreeable.
How often do I receive a stipend payment and where does it come from?
You will receive your stipend check according to a pre-arranged schedule
from the DOE facility administering your appointment. It varies
from Lab to Lab. Once you are accepted you will be given a pay schedule.
What is my tax liability for the stipend I am paid as a participant in
this program?
All stipends paid to you are reported to the Internal Revenue. Some facilities
do not withhold taxes from these payments; participants at these facilities
should give consideration to filing Form 1040-ES on a quarterly basis
and paying estimated income taxes in order to avoid late payment penalties.
What kind of travel reimbursement will I receive?
You will be reimbursed for inbound and outbound travel between your home
or school and the appointment site, if the distance is more than 50 miles
one way. Reimbursements are made according to the standard travel policy
of the DOE facility administering your appointment.
Where will I live?
It depends on the DOE facility. Some sites have housing already arranged;
at others you need to arrange it yourself (these sites generally provide
information to help you.). The program generally provides either a housing
allowance or pre-arranged housing. Housing allowances are taxable. In
some cases, your housing situation may result in costs to you over and
above the housing allowance. In some cases, students who live within 50
miles of the host site are not eligible for housing or housing allowances.
Can I receive undergraduate credit for my fellowship experience?
You will need to check with your school to see if your research experience
qualifies for college credit. DOE and the laboratory that administers
your appointment will provide you with the appropriate documentation.
Does the program pay any tuition costs I might incur while participating?
No. Tuition and fees incurred during your participation in the program
while you are still enrolled in a college or university are not reimbursable.
By participating in this program, do I become an employee of the administrator,
the host laboratory, or DOE?
No. You will be considered a program participant and will not enter into
an employer/employee relationship with the administrator, the host laboratory,
or DOE.
Do I have to prepare a report or give a presentation at the end of
my appointment?
Both you and your mentor will be asked to jointly prepare a Research
Paper or Power Point and Abstract by the end of the appointment. Some
laboratories have poster sessions for students or require oral presentations
at the end of the appointment.
What should I expect from the mentoring relationship at the laboratory?
Your mentor should provide the following:
Whom should I contact if I have problems which I have been unable to resolve on-line?
sc.helpwithapplication@science.doe.gov
(202) 586-9742
What is the source of funding for this program?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science provides the funding
for this program.
Why is the DOE involved in education?
Since its formation in 1977, DOE has supported education programs that help ensure an adequate supply of scientists, engineers, and technicians for energy-related research, production activities, and the transfer of technology.
Who administers this program for the Department of Energy?
Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Ernest Orlando
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental
Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics,
National Renewable Energy, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and Thomas Jefferson
have education offices in their labs that administer the program. Oak
Ridge National Laboratory internships are administered by Oak Ridge Institute
for Science and Education.
