Technical and Professional Internships - Summer 2027

About the role

The ORNL Technical and Professional Internships (TPI) program provides students and recent graduates with the opportunity to be mentored by world-class technical and professional staff who support the mission of the laboratory by managing and operating research projects and activities. As the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, ORNL is a premier facility to gain experience in information technology, facilities and operations, human resources, marketing, graphic design, data analytics, cybersecurity, legal counsel, communications, finance, operational health services, and other professional fields.

Responsibilities

• Participate full-time each week (or part-time if enrolled full-time in school, with case‑by‑case approval).
• Conduct research in accordance with the program schedule and overall research needs of ORNL.
• Submit an appointment reflection and develop a poster or PowerPoint presentation by the end of the program.
• Optionally collaborate on manuscripts and/or join conferences, poster sessions, and other opportunities to present or publish research.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) at time of application.
• At least 18 years of age at time of application.
• Meet one of four eligibility criteria:
  • Currently enrolled as a full‑time undergraduate or graduate student in a degree‑seeking program at an accredited U.S. college/university (including community colleges).
  • Have completed at least one academic term (or quarter) and demonstrate full‑time academic engagement (≥12 semester credit hours or equivalent) by the start of the appointment; first‑term freshmen are not eligible.
  • Recent graduate (associate/bachelor/master) from an accredited U.S. college/university, with degree received ≤2 years + 30 days before appointment start.
  • Veteran with DD‑214 issued ≤4 years before internship start, plus high school diploma/GED.
• Hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (undergraduate and graduate combined, or graduate GPA alone as applicable); documentation required before appointment begins (exceptions possible case‑by‑case).
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or recent graduates of, a U.S. college or technical institution offering a certificate or diploma directly relevant to the appointment; certificate must be received ≤2 years + 30 days before start.

Benefits

• Housing allowance of $250 per week (paid biweekly with stipend).
• Travel reimbursement of up to $1,000 for round‑trip transportation for participants whose permanent address is >50 miles from ORNL.
• Opportunity to collaborate on manuscripts and present research at conferences, poster sessions, etc.

Pay

• $750 per week for undergraduate students, recent graduates (Associate’s), or recently separated veterans with high school diploma/GED.
• $850 per week for recent graduates (Bachelor’s).
• $950 per week for graduate students or recent graduates (Master’s).
• Stipend paid biweekly; taxable as an educational benefit; first payment may be delayed ~30 days.

Schedule

• Standard appointments: 10‑12 weeks during Summer 2027 (June 1 – August 6, 2027).
• Option for a 12‑month appointment for recent