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Undergraduate student internships enhance the education of students majoring in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, in support of the Department of Energy's mission for the INL. The awards are made available through funding from the Department of Energy and the INL. These internships provide an intensive introduction to mission support areas through the guidance of experienced mentors. Students are selected based on their chosen field of study (major) that matches the project description.

NOTE: Foreign national students who wish to apply for an INL undergraduate or graduate internship, must be currently attending a United States university on a F-1 visa and if selected, will be required to initiate a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) with your university visa office/department in order to be eligible to be employed at INL. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please click on this link online application to apply.

Eligibility

• Students who graduate and receive their Bachelor's degree, have been accepted to graduate school the following semester but have not entered the graduate program yet, should complete the undergraduate application.
• Full-time student status at an accredited college or university the semester before and after internship award (minimum 12 credits per semester)
• Must have and maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Awards are contingent upon INL security access approval

Qualifications

Applicants will be reviewed on the basis of academic performance and class standing, career goals, recommendations, and compatibility of education interests and abilities with the program needs of the INL.

Mentors may request an extension to their student's original award. The student must provide an updated transcript and a list of courses for the current semester to verify they still meet the eligibility criteria of our internship program.

Duration

• Summer Undergraduate Internship - based on full-time 40 hours per week, 10-16 weeks
• Academic Undergraduate Semester - part-time 20 hours or less per week, minimum of 12 weeks to maximum 16 weeks, per institution's academic semester calendar
• Maximum number of awards allowed: 4 summer and 4 academic semesters

Award

Salary:

Amounts vary depending on your completed academic rank.

If a student receives a Bachelor's degree the spring semester before placement on an internship, the student must submit proof of acceptance into a graduate program for the following fall semester with list of courses as proof of full-time graduate student status (9 credits). If awarded an internship, the student will receive $13.75/hour.

Optional Allowances:

• Housing: Interns may receive a housing allowance of $100/week based on mentor approval (determined by permanent residence if greater than 50-mile radius of Idaho Falls).
• Travel to Idaho Falls: One round trip travel based on mentor approval, program requirements and federal government travel regulations. Distance traveled one way must be greater than 50-mile radius of Idaho Falls. If driving, students will receive reimbursement for mileage, per diem and lodging along the way per Federal Travel Regulations (FTR).

Internship Program Process:

• Students become Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) temporary part-time employees
• Paid weekly based on a monthly salary rate set by INL internship program
• Taxes are withheld from paycheck
• Receive holiday pay based on average hours worked (Note: Only graduate students receive holiday pay during the INL curtailment period.)
• Follow INL holiday schedule
• Do not receive medical or retirement benefits

Application Information

Key Dates

Only a complete application consisting of submitted online application and two submitted online recommendations will be forwarded to mentors for review and selection.

Complete the online application.