Research Student Internships

The Research Student Internships (RSI) program, managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, provides undergraduate and graduate students with paid, mentored research experiences aligned with ORNL’s research directions. The program is structured to provide hands-on engagement in ongoing research projects.

Summer interns stand beside research posters and discuss their projects with attendees during the Summer Student Poster Session in Building 5700 at ORNL.
Brook McJunkin works in the Creep Lab at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, preparing test specimens with precision tools, operating high-temperature creep testing equipment, monitoring instrumentation, and reviewing test data at a computer workstation.

At ORNL, RSI interns are embedded within research groups across all Science & Technology Directorates. Appointments are paid and are typically offered during 10-week summer terms, with 16-week opportunities available during fall and spring. This allows for both full- and part-time participation.

Students participate under the guidance of a laboratory mentor, gaining experience with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced instrumentation, and large-scale computational resources. RSI offers flexible eligibility across academic levels, making it a distinctive pathway for students seeking direct entry into ORNL’s research ecosystem.

Application Resources

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Spring 2027 applications close Oct. 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Benefits and Eligibility

Weekly stipend varies by academic level

$250 housing allowance

Travel allowance as applicable

U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

Undergraduate, graduate student, or recent graduate

Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA

Age 18 or older

Contacts

For general questions about ORNL educational programs, email [email protected].

For questions about RSI eligibility or the application process, email [email protected].

Sarah Estupinan Jimenez, Andrew Hagemeier and Leah Broussard stand beside the Nab experiment apparatus discussing detector data at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Sarah Estupinan Jimenez uses a probe to test electronics on the Nab detector system at a beamline laboratory inside the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.