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Institutional Partnerships

Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship

The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research internships at one of 17 DOE laboratories.

Under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers, students perform research on projects supporting the Department of Energy (DOE)‘s mission. This work is supported through the DOE’s Office of Science Workforce Development for Teachers and Students Office (WDTS).

Overview

Internship opportunities are available during the following terms: Summer (10 weeks), Fall (16 weeks), and Spring (16 weeks). Applications are solicited annually three times a year through the DOE website for each of the terms. Each DOE laboratory offers different research opportunities; not all DOE laboratories offer internships during the Fall and Spring Terms.

A typical experience starts with students spending the first week with an Argonne supervising staff member devising a research strategy and attending mandatory safety classes. For the next few weeks, the supervisor will provide considerable program assistance and guidance. Subsequently, the student will be expected to complete a pre and post-survey, an oral or poster presentation, a 1500 – 3000-word research report, and a one-page peer review. In addition to their research activities, participants are provided tours of the facilities and attend a series of seminars in current topics in science and engineering as well as career development.

Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship

The application for the summer 2025 SULI term is now open! The deadline to apply is Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET.

Apply Now!

Eligibility Requirements

Terms & Conditions

  • All candidates are required to pass a drug screening upon acceptance of the offer.
  • All appointment must be conducted in the United States.
  • Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne’s Legal Department.

Financial Information

During the appointment period, participants will receive a stipend of $650 per week. On-site residence hall-style lodging is available for students who live over twenty miles from the laboratory. Eligible students who choose to live on-site will receive an additional $250 per week. Students living off-site will not receive any extra funding for housing.

Please be aware that the Guest House, managed by Sodexo, operates on a billing cycle different from that of Argonne. Payment dates may vary. A credit or debit card will be required, and a $100 authorization will be charged, which will be refunded shortly after checkout.

Transportation

Travel will be paid only for students whose permanent and school addresses are more than fifty miles away from Argonne. Travel expenses are reimbursed consistent with the terms detailed in the laboratory acceptance letter. Travel reimbursement is based on a round-trip from the traveler’s trip origin (trip origin to Argonne and Argonne back to trip origin).

Transportation expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the most direct route. Travel by a private automobile will be reimbursed at the current government rate up to a maximum of $500.00 round-trip, not to exceed the cost of round-trip coach airfare. No per diem or lodging costs will be reimbursed while en route. We will calculate distance according to Google Maps. If students are traveling to Argonne via air, Argonne must make the travel arrangements. Students will not be reimbursed if they make their own flight arrangements.