DHS HS-STEM Summer Internship Program

COMPETITION CLOSED:

The current competition cycle for this program is now closed. Those who applied by the Jan 5th deadline will be notified regarding the outcome of the competition in early March. The information and application materials posted on this Web site are for reference only and may change with the next competition cycle, which will begin in Fall 2012.

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsors a 10-week summer internship program for rising juniors and seniors majoring in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM) disciplines. The DHS HS-STEM Summer Internship Program provides students with the opportunity to conduct research in DHS mission-relevant research areas at federal research facilities located across the country.

The goal of this program is to engage a diverse, educated, and skilled pool of scientists and engineers in HS-STEM issues and to promote long-term relationships between student researchers, the DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, and federal research facilities to enhance the HS-STEM workforce.

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. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate reviews applications and makes the final award selections.

AWARD

Stipend of $500 each week ($5,000 for 10 weeks) payable every two weeks
Transportation expenses for one round trip between the student’s current or home address and the assigned federal research facility, with some limitations

EXPECTATIONS

Application and Selection Process:

Prior to submitting an application, the student reviews the list of possible federal research facility Hosting Sites and Projects to identify hosting sites and projects of interest. The student selects up to three hosting sites and lists the sites in order of preference on the application form. The student may select multiple projects for each hosting site.
Students submit their applications to ORISE. The applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility by ORISE. Applications are evaluated by DHS and representatives of the hosting sites at which the students wish to intern. DHS determines which students are selected to participate in the internship program. Preferences of the students and hosting sites are taken into consideration in assigning students to projects. All assignments are subject to DHS approval.

Participation:

Research is conducted at the assigned hosting site between the months of May and August. It is anticipated that the research undertaken by the students will be unclassified.
The research experience requires a full-time commitment for ten consecutive weeks.
At the end of the internship, students are required to participate in a poster session or make an oral presentation to the scientific community at the hosting site, as directed by the assigned mentor. Students are also required to complete an evaluation form and to submit to their research mentors an eight to ten page paper summarizing the summer experience. After reviewing the papers, mentors submit the papers to DHS (via ORISE).

Logistics:

Students are responsible for moving expenses and all living expenses, including local transportation, room, board and entertainment. Students are also responsible for securing their own living space and determining their means of local transportation prior to arriving at the assigned hosting site. Some hosting sites provide assistance in locating housing and/or provide additional funds for housing. For more information, refer to Hosting Sites. Please review the information posted before contacting the hosting site internship coordinators.
ORISE makes travel arrangements for students and reimburses students for travel expenses, with some limitations.

ELIGIBILITY

United States citizenship as of the application deadline
At least 18 years of age at the start of the internship period
As of the application deadline, full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student at a U.S. accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university
By fall 2012, full-time enrollment as a junior or senior at a 4-year U.S. accredited college or university. For students currently enrolled at a 2-year institution: Internship assignment is contingent on the student providing proof of acceptance at a 4-year institution before the start of the internship.
Cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale, as demonstrated in the most current transcript, which must include Fall 2011 grades.
Majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field with interest in homeland security research as described in the DHS Research Areas
Pursuing long-term career goals aligned with the DHS mission and objectives
Available to participate for 10 consecutive weeks full-time during the summer of 2012
Coverage under a health insurance plan before arriving at the assigned hosting site and maintenance of coverage during the internship period
Previous participants may apply for a second summer if they meet the conditions listed above.

APPLICATION

All application materials are available on this web site.

January 5, 2012 is the deadline for submission of the application form, including all essay questions and the list of hosting sites and projects in order of preference. The application form should be submitted by email to dhsed@orau.org.

January 12, 2012 is the deadline for all supporting materials. For items submitted by postal mail, the deadline is a postmark deadline, not receipt deadline. There is no need to send information by overnight or special delivery. To protect your personally identifiable information (PII), items submitted by postal mail should be mailed in an envelope marked “To be read by addressee only.” The required supporting materials are:

Two reference report forms submitted by the references by email to dhsed@orau.org. The email must come from an email account that is named in such a way that it is obvious that the email account is owned by the person writing the reference.
Official academic transcript from current postsecondary institution and any postsecondary institutions attended from Fall 2010 through Fall 2011. If additional postsecondary institutions have been attended, ORISE may require transcripts from these schools as well and will notify the student accordingly. Transcript(s) must be submitted directly to ORISE by the academic institutions by postal mail. Transcript(s) must include Fall 2011 grades.
Citzenship Information Form submitted by postal mail. Do not send this form by email as it contains personally identifiable information (PII) that, if lost or compromised, could cause serious harm (including identity theft) to you.
Copy of birth certificate for applicants who cannot provide a current or expired U.S. passport number on their Citizen Information Form. Birth certificate copy must be submitted by postal mail.

Materials submitted by applicants by fax will not be accepted. Do not send duplicate items by e-mail. Do not submit resumes, off-prints, manuscripts, videos, slides, photographs, or other extraneous materials; these materials will not be used in the review of applications. Do not submit more than the designated page limit for essay questions in the application.

The application and reference forms should be sent to: dhsed@orau.org

Transcripts, the Citizenship Information Form, and the birth certificate copy (if required) should be sent to:

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
DHS HS-STEM Summer Internship Program, MS-36
PO Box 117
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117

EVALUATION PROCESS

Applications are reviewed by ORISE for eligibility and completeness and by DHS for strength and relevance to the DHS mission. Selected applications are then evaluated by the hosting sites chosen by the students. Hosting site reviewers evaluate each application to determine if there is a match between the internship projects selected by the student and the student’s knowledge, skills, and interests. If there is not a match at the student’s first choice of hosting site, an attempt is made to match at the student’s second (and possibly third) choice of hosting site. After matches are made, DHS approves project assignments and makes awards.

In evaluating student applications, DHS and hosting site researchers consider the student’s academic record, reference reports, and essays.

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’s educational background and academic performance and can make an informed judgment about the applicant’s fitness for an HS-STEM research participation program.
Current Research Interests Essay
The best essays demonstrate an understanding of and genuine interest in the DHS mission and DHS mission-relevant research, as described in the DHS Research Areas. These essays define an area of research and one or more research problems that are of interest to the student and are also relevant to one or more DHS Research Areas. All essays should contain only original thought or properly attributed information.
Professional Goals Essay
The best essays provide insight into the career of interest, the steps that may be taken to achieve education and professional goals, how the internship experience will contribute to achieving those goals, and how the student’s professional goals are aligned with the DHS mission.

NOTIFICATION

All selection notifications will be made by ORISE. It is anticipated that students selected will be notified by email beginning March 1, 2012. Additionally, selection notification will be made by email to the hosting sites. Students not selected will be notified by email.

Hosting site representatives, including potential research mentors, do not have the authority to offer or guarantee DHS-funded summer internships to applicants to this program. Only ORISE, on behalf of DHS, can offer DHS-funded summer internships through this program.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

No deferrals of the internship will be allowed.
All students are considered guest researchers/investigators and are subject to DHS and hosting site regulations with regard to internship eligibility, facility access, professional conduct, and drug and alcohol use or possession.
Participation in the program is contingent upon the student obtaining the proper clearance and facility access as required by the hosting site for the assigned project.
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.
DHS reserves the right to make no awards or to cancel this program. DHS assumes no liability for canceling the HS-STEM Summer Internship Program or for anyone’s failure to receive actual notification of cancellation.

For more information: dhsed@orau.org