Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)

https://science.osti.gov/wdts/suli

Are you an undergraduate student or recent graduate who is ready to use your major in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field or science policy to help make a difference in the world? Then the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) is for you! When you join SULI, you’ll be part of a Department of Energy (DOE) team that’s working together to advance scientific impact and discovery. Expand your skills and knowledge at a DOE national laboratory using state-of-the-art facilities and advanced scientific instruments. 

Eligibility

Currently enrolled full-time students attending an accredited community college, 2 year colleges, and 4 year institutions are encouraged to apply to the SULI program. Students who have previously graduated are also encouraged to apply (review requirements for recent graduates)

Academic and Enrollment Requirements:

Applicants for the SULI program must meet the following academic and enrollment requirements:

  • Must have earned a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent at the time of applying (meet this requirement between the start date and due date of the application period.). Proof of an earned high school diploma or of passing all five GED tests required to achieve a Certificate of General Educational Development should be provided on the applicant’s undergraduate transcripts. Within the application, applicants will be able to provide the date they earned their high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED).
  • Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited institution. Full-time enrollment is determined by the number of hours or courses the school requires for full-time attendance.
  • Completed at least one semester as a matriculated undergraduate student at the time of applying.  
  • Completed at least 6 credit hours of postsecondary courses in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology disciplines, and must have completed at least 12 credit hours towards a degree by the time they apply. Keep in mind,  this requirement must be met by the due date of the application.
  • Credit hours and grades must be reflected on the submitted transcript(s).
  • Advanced Placement credits or other undergraduate credits obtained prior to undergraduate enrollment (i.e. while attending high school) cannot be applied to meet the minimum one-term completion requirement.
  • Have a cumulative minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all completed courses taken as a matriculated student at the applicant’s current (or recently-graduated) institution and at any institutions attended as a matriculated postsecondary student during the 5 years preceding the start of the most recent enrollment. (This does not include college or university courses taken while solely a high school student.)
  • Recent graduates
    • Recent graduates are defined as applicants who will have completed their undergraduate degree prior to starting their internship.
    • This includes students who have graduated with an:
      • associate’s degree
      • bachelor’s degree
      • those who have completed a combined BS/MS program
      • those who have completed an undergraduate degree and are now enrolled in graduate studies
    • Please note, applicants applying as a ‘Recent Graduate’ with a bachelor’s degree can apply if the time period between receipt of a bachelor’s degree and starting the SULI Program Term is within two years or less.
Age and Citizenship

Applicants for the SULI program must meet the following age and citizenship requirements:

  • Must be 18 years or older at the time the internship begins.
  • Must be a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident at the time of applying.
    Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status will be requested at the time an internship offer is accepted. Acceptable form of proof of U.S. Citizenship includes, but is not limited to, a Certified Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Naturalization Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship, Consular Report of Birth (of U.S. citizen) Abroad, or Certification of Birth. Lawful Permanent Residents must have a current United States Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551).

    Please note: Applicants with a LPR status are encouraged to contact their DOE National Laboratory/facility of interest during the time of application due to the lead time for required processes for foreign national access to the laboratory/facility. Please be aware offers for the program are subject to change based on approval for site access prior to the planned start date.
SULI Program application status:

Additional requirements for the program applicants and participants are:

  • Applicants are limited to participation in the SULI program to no more than two internships.
  • Applicants can apply to the SULI program a maximum of four times.

Award

Stipend:

  • Participants receive a stipend of $650 per week during the appointment.

Travel Support:

  • Selected students are reimbursed for one round trip domestic travel to the host laboratory Keep in mind, travel support is restricted to participating students with a permanent address more than 50 miles from the host laboratory).
  • Transportation expenses will be reimbursed based on the most direct route.
  • Travel by a private automobile will be reimbursed at the current government rate up to a maximum of $500.00 or the cost of the lowest commercial airfare, whichever is lower. Travel by air will be reimbursed at the cost of the lowest commercial airfare.

Housing Support

Housing information will be provided to eligible interns prior to arrival at the host laboratory. In general, housing opportunities will vary from laboratory to laboratory. An allowance is available for participants placed at host laboratories that are unable to offer direct housing arrangements.