ANNOUNCEMENT: Competition Closed
The current competition cycle for this program is now closed. The information presented below is for reference only.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
Program Description |
Award |
Expectations |
Eligibility |
Application
Evaluation Process |
Notification |
Other Important Notes
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsors a 10-week summer internship program for eligible rising
junior 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.
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 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 address and the assigned federal
research facility, with some limitations
back to top
EXPECTATIONS
Application:
- Prior to 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 program application. The student may select multiple
projects for each hosting site.
Participation:
- Students are assigned by DHS/ORISE to projects. Student preferences are taken into consideration.
- Research is conducted on site at the assigned federal research facility, as approved by DHS, between the months of
May and August. It is anticipated that the research undertaken by the students will be unclassified.
- The full-time research experience requires 40 hours per week, for ten consecutive weeks.
- At the end of the internship, students are required to participate in a poster session and/or make an oral
presentation to the scientific community at the hosting venue, as directed by the assigned mentor. Students are
also required to complete an evaluation form and to submit to DHS (via ORISE) an eight to ten page paper summarizing
the summer experience.
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 venue. Please note, however, that 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.
back to top
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 2010, 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 granting transfer credit for the first two
years of study.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale averaged over all U.S. postsecondary institutions attended through
and including fall 2009
- Majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field with interest in
homeland security 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 2010
- Coverage under a health insurance plan before arriving at the assigned hosting venue and maintenance of coverage
during the internship period
- Previous recipients may apply.
back to top
APPLICATION
All application materials are available on this web site.
January 5, 2010 is the deadline for submission of the application form, including
all essay questions and the list of facilities and projects in order of preference. The application form must be submitted
via postal mail. To protect personal information, please mark the envelope “To Be Opened by Addressee Only.”
January 12, 2010 is the deadline for all supporting materials. For items submitted by postal mail,
the deadlines are postmark deadlines, not receipt deadlines. There is no need to send information via overnight or
special delivery. The required supporting materials are:
- Two reference report forms submitted by the references electronically to
dhsed@orau.org or via postal mail.
If submitted via electronic mail, the email must come from an electronic mail account that is named in such a way
that it is obvious that the electronic mail account is owned by the person submitting the form.
- Official academic transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended. Transcript(s) must be
submitted directly to ORISE by the academic institutions via postal mail. Transcript(s) must include fall
2009 grades.
- Copy of Birth Certificate for applicants who cannot provide a current or expired U.S.
Passport number on their application form. Birth certificate copy must be submitted via postal mail.
We will
NOT accept materials via fax or as e-mail attachments from students. Transcripts must be sent by academic
institutions via postal mail. References may submit reference report forms electronically or via postal mail.
Do not send duplicate items via fax or e-mail. Do not submit resumes, off-prints, manuscripts, video tapes,
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.
Application materials that are submitted electronically should be sent to:
dhsed@orau.org
Application materials that are submitted via postal mail 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
back to top
EVALUATION PROCESS
Applications are first reviewed by DHS and ORISE for eligibility and relevance to the DHS mission. Applications are
then forwarded for evaluation to the hosting sites selected by the students, beginning with the student’s first choice
of hosting site. Hosting site reviewers evaluate the student application to determine if there is a match between the
student applicant and the internship projects offered at that site. If there is a match, the student is assigned to that
facility, pending DHS approval. If there is no match, the student application is forwarded for evaluation to the student’s
second (and possibly third) choice of hosting site.
In evaluating student applications, DHS scientists and engineers consider the student’s academic record, reference
reports, and essays. DHS staff evaluate the applicant’s research interest and the need for individuals in the
applicant’s specific field or sub-field. The final selection of awardees is made by DHS.
Reviewers provide an overall rating based on the following:
- 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 the proposed program of study.
- Current Research Interests Essay
The best essay will demonstrate both an ability to define a research problem relevant to the DHS mission and an
understanding of how such a problem might be solved. An essay that pays careful attention to defining a research
interest that is relevant to the DHS mission can often succeed without much detail on how a research problem would be
solved. These essays should contain only original thoughts or other properly attributed information.
- Professional Goals Essay
The best essays will demonstrate insight into the career of interest, the steps that may be taken to achieve education
and professional goals, and indicate how the internship experience will contribute to achieve those goals.
back to top
NOTIFICATION
All selection notifications are conducted by ORISE. It is anticipated that students selected will be notified by email
beginning March 1, 2010. Additionally, selection notification will be made by email to the hosting facilities. Students
not selected will be notified by email.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES
- While some DHS Education Programs have a service requirement following participation in the program, there is no
service requirement for this program.
- No deferrals of the internship will be allowed.
- All students are considered guest researchers/investigators and are subject to DHS and hosting facility regulations
with regard to internship eligibility, facility access, professional conduct, and drug and alcohol use or possession.
- As a guest researcher, each student is responsible for payment of income taxes and is advised to become familiar
with the relevant sections of the current tax codes.
- Participation in the program is contingent upon the student obtaining the proper clearance, if required. Depending
on the site, applicants are subject to the issuance of a visit authorization clearance. Students may not be allowed at
the internship site until security access approval is given.
- 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
Program or for anyone’s failure to receive actual notification of cancellation.
For more information: dhsed@orau.org
back to top