DHS HS-STEM Summer Internship Program

ANNOUNCEMENT: Competition Closed

The current competition cycle for this program is now closed. The information presented below is for reference only.

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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

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.

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.

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

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.

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