The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accepting applications from all eligible college and university students to participate in a summer research experience at federal research facilities. The DHS HS-STEM Summer Internship Program provides a 10-week summer research experience for rising junior and seniors majoring in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM) disciplines. Students who demonstrate long-term goals aligned with the mission and objectives of the Department will have the opportunity to conduct research in DHS mission-relevant areas at federal research facilities. The goal of this program is to engage a diverse, educated, and skilled pool of scientists and engineers in HS-STEM issues and to promote long-term relationships between student researchers, DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, and federal research facilities that will enhance the HS-STEM workforce.

Eligibility

• Majoring in a homeland security science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (HS-STEM) field with interest in a homeland security research area
• Available to participate for 10 consecutive weeks full-time during the summer of 2009

Award

• Stipend of $500 each week ($5000 for 10 weeks) payable every two weeks.
• Transportation expenses for one round trip between the participant’s current address and the assigned federal research facility, with some limitations. The award does not cover moving expenses to the hosting facility.
• All living expenses including local transportation, room, board and entertainment are the responsibility of the participants. Participants are responsible for securing their own living space and determining their means of local transportation prior to arriving at the assigned hosting venue.

Expectations

• Research must be conducted on site at the assigned federal research facility, as approved by DHS, between the months of May and August. It is anticipated that the research undertaken by the participants will be unclassified.
• The full-time research experience will require no less than 40 hours per week, for ten consecutive weeks.
• Participants are required to participate in a poster session and/or make an oral presentation to the scientific community at the hosting venue. In addition, an eight to ten page paper about the summer experience and an evaluation form is required at the end of the internship.