ORISE Undergraduate STEM Internships & Fellowships 2026–2027 | Research Opportunities in the USA

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) offers a wide range of undergraduate internships, fellowships and research opportunities at national laboratories and federal research facilities across the country.

These programs provide students with opportunities to participate in real-world scientific research, work alongside experienced researchers, develop technical skills and build professional networks that can support their future careers.

ORISE administers STEM education and research programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), national laboratories and other federal agencies.

🔬 What Are ORISE Undergraduate Internships?

ORISE undergraduate internships and fellowships are research and professional development opportunities designed for students currently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM-related disciplines.

Depending on the specific program, students may participate in:

• Laboratory research
• Scientific research projects
• Engineering projects
• Technology development
• Environmental research
• Energy research
• Data science and computer science
• Policy and technical research
• Professional development activities
• Networking with scientists and researchers

Opportunities may be available during the summer, fall or spring, while some programs offer longer-term research experiences.

🎓 Who Can Apply?

ORISE provides opportunities for students at different stages of their academic and professional careers.

Undergraduate opportunities are primarily intended for students currently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM-related disciplines.

Programs may have different eligibility requirements depending on the sponsoring agency, laboratory and research project.

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements for each individual opportunity before applying.

🌎 Where Are the Opportunities Located?

ORISE-administered opportunities are available at national laboratories and federal research facilities across the United States.

Current opportunities listed through the ORISE system include positions in locations such as:

📍 Oak Ridge, Tennessee
📍 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
📍 Morgantown, West Virginia

Some opportunities may be available in other locations or have location arrangements that vary by program.

🧪 Examples of Current ORISE Opportunities

The ORISE platform lists a variety of undergraduate and STEM-related research opportunities.

Examples include:

DOE EM Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS)

Opportunity Number: DOE-EM-STARS-2027
Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Program: Office of Environmental Management Success Through Academic Research Scholarship
Location: Varies

This scholarship opportunity supports academic development and STEM expertise.

Tribal Education Partnership Program (TEPP)

Opportunity Number: NNSA-TEPP-2026
Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Program: National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program
Location: Varies

DOE Science, Technology and Policy Program

Opportunity Number: DOE-STP-GEN-2026
Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Program: DOE Science, Technology and Policy Program
Location: Varies

This type of opportunity can be particularly valuable for students interested in the relationship between science, technology and public policy.

Intelligent Document Processing

Opportunity Number: NETL-PIP-2026-Lackey
Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Program: Professional Internship Program
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Technical and Professional Internships – Spring 2027

Opportunity Number: ORNL-TPI-Spring-2027
Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Program: Technical and Professional Internships
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Research Student Internships – Spring 2027

Opportunity Number: ORNL-RSI-Spring-2027
Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Program: Research Student Internships
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

AI-Based Digital Twin for Data Center Thermal Management

Opportunity Number: NETL-PIP-2026-Guenther
Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Program: Professional Internship Program
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia

This opportunity focuses on artificial intelligence, digital twins and optimization of data-center thermal management.

Experimental Study: Geologic Hydrogen

Opportunity Number: NETL-PIP-2026-Gamwo
Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Program: Professional Internship Program
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The research focuses on geologic hydrogen and water-rock reactions under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.

Also Read: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Intern 2026 – Powerful Observatory | Opportunity in Geneva, Switzerland

💡 Why Apply for an ORISE STEM Internship?

An ORISE internship can provide much more than classroom learning.

Participants can gain:

✅ Real-world research experience
✅ Hands-on laboratory experience
✅ Exposure to national laboratories
✅ Mentorship from experienced researchers
✅ Professional networking opportunities
✅ Technical and analytical skills
✅ Experience working on scientific projects
✅ Career development opportunities
✅ A stronger academic and professional profile
✅ Exposure to federal research environments

For students considering graduate school or careers in scientific research, these experiences can be particularly valuable.

🧑‍🔬 STEM Fields Covered

ORISE opportunities can span a broad range of STEM disciplines.

Depending on available positions, students may find opportunities related to:

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Environmental Science
• Energy
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology
• Materials Science
• Nuclear Science
• Mathematics
• Technology
• Scientific Research
• Public Policy and Science
• Sustainability

Students should use the ORISE opportunity search system to find programs matching their academic background and interests.

🎓 Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to internships and research programs, ORISE periodically offers scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students.

These competitions may provide funding toward students’ education while challenging participants to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in STEM fields.

Students interested in scholarships should monitor the ORISE opportunity listings for new competitions and funding opportunities.

🏛️ Federal Agencies and National Laboratories

ORISE manages education, research and professional development programs on behalf of several U.S. federal agencies and research organizations.

These include programs connected to:

• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• National laboratories
• Other federal agencies

Through these programs, students, recent graduates, postdoctoral researchers and faculty can gain access to research and professional development opportunities.

Also Read: UNICEF Internship Opportunities 2026 | Global Student & Graduate Internships

🔎 How to Find ORISE Internships

ORISE uses the Zintellect platform to provide access to current research and non-research opportunities.

Students can search opportunities using keywords related to their interests.

For example, you can search for:

🔹 Engineering
🔹 Computer Science
🔹 Artificial Intelligence
🔹 Environment
🔹 Energy
🔹 Biology
🔹 Chemistry
🔹 Data Science
🔹 Research

After finding an opportunity that matches your interests, you can create a profile and follow the application instructions provided for that specific program.

📝 How to Apply

The application process may vary depending on the specific ORISE program.

Generally, applicants should:

Step 1: Visit the official ORISE opportunities platform.

Step 2: Search for an internship, fellowship, scholarship or research opportunity.

Step 3: Read the eligibility requirements carefully.

Step 4: Review the research area, location and program details.

Step 5: Create a profile on the application platform if required.

Step 6: Prepare your application materials.

Step 7: Submit your application before the stated deadline.

Because each opportunity can have different requirements and deadlines, applicants should always rely on the official opportunity listing for the most accurate information.

📚 How ORISE Can Help Your Career

Participating in an ORISE program can help students understand how scientific research operates outside the classroom.

You may have the opportunity to work with researchers, contribute to ongoing projects, attend professional development activities and build relationships with other students and professionals.

The experience can also help you make more informed decisions about graduate school and future STEM careers.

⚠️ Important Notice

ORISE administers many different programs, and eligibility requirements, benefits, deadlines, locations and application procedures vary by opportunity.

Students should carefully read the official description of each program before applying.

Do not assume that eligibility for one ORISE opportunity automatically means that you qualify for another.

Applicants should also use official ORISE and Zintellect platforms when searching for and applying to opportunities.

🌟 Final Thoughts

ORISE undergraduate internships and fellowships provide students with opportunities to move beyond the classroom and gain practical experience in scientific research and STEM.

Whether you are interested in artificial intelligence, engineering, computer science, environmental science, energy, chemistry, data science or another STEM discipline, ORISE offers a range of opportunities connected to national laboratories and federal research facilities.

For undergraduate students planning a career in STEM, gaining research experience early can be an important step toward building technical expertise, professional networks and a competitive academic profile.

If you are currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field, explore the available ORISE opportunities and find a program that matches your interests and career goals.

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