Students & Recent Graduates

eCYBERMISSION is a unique Web-based science, math, and technology competition that allows students in grades six through nine to compete nationwide via the Internet and in Department of Defense (DoD) Educational Activities. It encourages and rewards a diverse range of proficiency levels, interests, and backgrounds. ARL employees serve as ambassadors, cyber guides, and virtual judges. For more information, visit https://www.ecybermission.com.

Students spend at least one week during the summer at ARL facilities located around the country. They receive a $100 stipend for each week attended. Middle school and high school students participate in summer programs in robotics, solar cars, composite materials, polymer science, and computer science. In addition to ARL sites, there are several other GEMS sites available. For more information about GEMS, visit http://www.usaeop.com/programs/stem-enrichment-activities/gems/.

Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) is a free educational program for 5th through 8th grade students where students design, build and race solar powered cars using hands-on engineering skills and principles of science and math. Students develop teamwork and problem solving abilities, investigate environmental issues, and gain hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to create the fastest, most interesting, and best crafted vehicle possible. For more information, visit http://www.usaeop.com/programs/competitions/jss/.

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a high school robotics team competition that combines the spirit of an athletic competition with an engineering challenge to help high school students discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be. Teams plan, design, prototype, and build a robot and then compete in an engineering challenge that looks like a high-tech sporting event. For more information, visit http://www.usfirst.org.

Established in 2010, the High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP) provides juniors and seniors with a paid apprenticeship in a university laboratory conducting Army-funded research. Students work up to 300 hours under the guidance of a principal investigator. The number of universities and internships available varies based on funding. In its pilot year, HSAP placed 57 apprentices at 26 universities throughout the United States. For more information or to apply online, visit http://www.usaeop.com.

On behalf of the Department of the Army, ARL distributes Army special awards for regional, state and international high school science fairs (ISEF). Army special awards include medallions, savings bonds, and certificates of achievement. ARL coordinates local Army representation as judges or awards presenters at many of the high school science fairs held throughout the United States, including taking a team of judges to the International fair to select 17 best-in-category awards. For more information about having Army special awards for your science fair, visit http://www.usaeop.com/programs/ISEF/index.htm.

Junior Science and Humanity Symposium (JSHS) is a tri-service sponsored annual high school science competition designed to encourage and develop oral presentation skills and the ethical conduct of original research. JSHS awards scholarships to highly talented students from across the nation. ARL scientists and engineers serve as judges in the Maryland regional and national competitions, provide laboratory tours to participants, and conduct roundtable discussions with students at the national competition. For more information about JSHS, visit http://www.usaeop.com or http://www.jshs.org.

Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP) is a high school initiative that places particular emphasis on students from historically under-represented groups, and motivates students toward a career in science, mathematics, or technology by providing them with challenging science experiences that are not readily available in high school. Students have hands-on experience during the summer months in an actual research environment at a local university with research investigators. On average, 100 students are placed in apprenticeships through REAP each year. For more information or to apply online, visit http://www.usaeop.com.

Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP) is an eight-week summer program for high school students. SEAP is designed to engage high school students in hands-on activities and student/mentor relationships that encourage careers in science and engineering. This program builds upon the foundations from prior years of laboratory experience reinforcing the idea that taking advanced classes now will provide opportunities for college. It allows students to apprentice in fields of their choice with experienced scientists and engineers. SEAP provides students with valuable knowledge and skills needed to make informed career decisions. At ARL, students apprentice in a professional environment and learn how their work can benefit the Army as well as the civilian community. SEAP opportunities are available at several Army laboratories. For more information, visit http://www.usaeop.com.

The UNITE program provides high school students with the opportunity to participate in college-structured summer courses that feature hands-on applications, participation in lectures, problem solving techniques, and tours of private and governmental laboratory and engineering facilities. Students receive classroom instruction in courses such as chemistry, physics, algebra, and calculus. They are introduced to math and science applications and how these applications are applied to real-world situations. The students are also shown how these applications are related to careers in engineering and technology. The UNITE program is designed to support socially and economically disadvantaged high school students. For more information about UNITE, visit http://www.usaeop.com or http://www.jets.org/programs/unite.cfm.

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) allows undergraduate, graduate and doctorate students to intern in their fields of study. For more information, contact ARL's parent organization, the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at 410-436-4883/4878, or visit http://orise.orau.gov.

SEAP College Qualified Leaders (SEAP-CQL) provides a paid internship opportunity for college students in one of several Army research laboratories. These internships typically last for six months or more. Students do not have to have previous experience in SEAP to apply for CQL. To apply, visit http://www.usaeop.com. If you have a research topic preference, please include details in Part 4 of the online application, in the "Why do you want to work in a lab this summer?" field.

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program is a Department of Defense (DoD) scholarship for service program to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program aims to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working in DoD laboratories. For more information about SMART, visit http://smart.asee.org.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) fellowship is a program for students who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude towards training in science and engineering. Fellowships are awarded to applicants pursuing doctoral degrees in disciplines closely related to an area of DoD interest. ARL is involved in the final selection of the Army's 63 NDSEG Fellows each year. For more information about NDSEG, visit http://ndseg.asee.org.

The postdoctoral program administered by the National Research Council (NRC) is available to scientists and engineers with U.S. citizenship. Application deadlines for the NRC program are: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 with the review process taking approximately two and a half months. For more information about NRC, visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/RAP/index.htm. To apply, visit http://nrc58.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/Program.aspx?LabCode=76.

The postdoctoral program administered by the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is available to scientists and engineers with U.S. citizenship. The ORAU program processes applications throughout the year. For more information about ORAU Postdoctoral Fellowships at ARL and to apply, visit http://www.orau.org/arlfellowship/.

Postdoctoral opportunities for non-U.S. citizens are available through the newly formed ARL Open Campus initiative. For more information about Open Campus opportunities, visit http://www.arl.army.mil/opencampus/.

The Davies Fellowship is a postdoc teaching-research program jointly sponsored by ARL and the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) Department of Mathematics at West Point. Each year, Davies Fellows teach one semester at USMA under the guidance of a senior civilian professor in the Math Department and then conduct research for a semester (and during the summer) under the mentorship of an Army Research Laboratory (ARL) scientist. This program offers valuable post-doctoral experience for mathematicians early in their careers to work with experienced researchers, publish their results, and increase their experience and development in teaching mathematics. The USMA does the recruiting and interacts with the applicant on possible research proposals. For more information on the Davies Fellowship, visit http://www.usma.edu/msce/sitepages/davies%20fellowship%20program.aspx.