ORNL Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI) - Fall 2025

The ORNL Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI) offers part-time virtual internships for juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from accredited high schools in specific Tennessee counties. Participants will engage in STEM-related projects with professionals at Oak Ridge National Laboratory from August 25 to December 12, 2025, with a stipend of $125 per week. The program emphasizes diversity and includes optional professional development activities.
Organization

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Reference Code

ORNL-NGSI-Fall-2025

Application Deadline

6/15/2025 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

The Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI) affords juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from accredited high schools or home school programs in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Sevier counties the opportunity to participate in STEM or STEM-related projects with research and professional staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Diversity is Key

Scientific discovery is a team effort. Researchers, engineers, and technical and business professionals support achievements in science and technology by helping to manage and operate research projects and facilities. We believe the teams required to solve the nation's most pressing scientific challenges are those that combine a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI) Details
• Appointments are for 16-17 weeks during the Fall.
• Participants are expected to participate part-time each week. A maximum of five days (without stipend) may be missed during the appointment period, if necessary, for other commitments.
• Appointments will start on August 25, 2025, and end on December 12, 2025. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.
• Appointments will be conducted virtually.
• $125 per week stipend based on part-time participation each week.
• The opportunity to learn from world-renowned scientists and engineers.
• Optional professional development activities, including workshops, lab tours, lectures, poster sessions, seminars, and networking opportunities.

A Few Helpful Tips Before You Start An Application
• Review the science areas at ORNL to determine what best fits your career goals. You will find the eight science discipline areas by clicking 'Science Areas' at www.ornl.gov.
• For example, if you choose Clean Energy, you will find a variety of news, current research highlights, and more. You can explore other research areas, or related links and organizations to identify your areas of interest and key words, important terminology, papers, etc. that can be used as you answer application questions or update your resume.
• You can also type a key word into the search box at the top right corner at www.ornl.gov and follow the links provided to identify key staff at ORNL and/or the webpages of the related directorates or divisions. For example, typing “Environmental Science” leads to the link for the Environmental Sciences Division. You will find general contacts and can access many of the Division or User Facility pages under "Our People".
• After you have completed your application, reach out via email to the researchers or professional staff of interest you have identified (use the Contact - Find People - Staff Directory link at www.ornl.gov to enter a name and obtain an email address).
• Tell them about your background and describe how your career objectives and interests relate to their research.
• Include an updated resume/CV in the email and let them know which programs you have applied to at ORNL.
• Showing initiative by reaching out to discuss your passion for science and research and your career interests is a great way to introduce yourself to potential mentors. This personal connection can be the key to “standing out” from other applications. The NGSI programs use "pool" based application postings where multiple mentors will consider candidates with a variety of interests for different educational project opportunities, so this can be a critical step for selection success.

Qualifications

To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR) at the time of application
• Be a high school junior or senior for the 2025-2026 academic year (expected graduation in 2026 or 2027) OR
• Have graduated high school during the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 academic calendar and not yet enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application
• Be in good standing at an accredited high school or enrolled in an accredited home school program in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, or Sevier county in Tennessee
• Be at least 16 years of age by the time of appointment
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00
• Provide proof of health insurance coverage
• Complete a Zintellect application, including one recommendation from a STEM teacher or principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students. Recommendations must be submitted through the Zintellect application system.

The Complete Application Requires
• Profile information
• Educational details (i.e. dates of attendance/graduation, GPAs, majors, etc.)
• Goals
• Experience and Skills
• A brief resume (.pdf upload) Please email ORNLedu@orau.org for a resume template, if needed
• Academic records - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of academic records may be submitted showing name, school name, current/enrolled classes, and GPA (.pdf upload)
• One Recommendation - The application will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for review and consideration until one recommendation is received. Applicants will provide contact information for recommenders, including current email addresses. Applicants are encouraged to request multiple recommendations and begin contacting recommenders immediately upon submitting an application. Recommendation letters will be uploaded in Zintellect and should address the applicant’s academic record and potential for success in a STEM internship, as indicated by intellectual merit, research/technical, communication, and teamwork skills. Recommenders cannot be a family member. The first recommendation received via Zintellect will meet the program requirement. Applicants who are currently enrolled students must provide one letter from a current STEM teacher or principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students. Recent graduates must provide one letter from a former STEM teacher or principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students. Recommenders cannot be family members.

Electronic applications, including submitted recommendations, must be received through the Zintellect application system. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications that do not include recommendations from a STEM teacher or principal, or curriculum coordinator for home school students will not be considered for selection.

Point of Contact

Ryan

Eligibility Requirements">11 )
• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED received within the last 24 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
• Business (