Frequently Asked Questions
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The National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) supports a mission priority of NNSA to strengthen key science, technology, and engineering capabilities, and enhance its career and leadership pipeline.
MSIIP supports the NNSA’s management and governance framework to have a world class workforce by enabling succession planning, knowledge preservation, ongoing training, and workforce development to ensure the future of the nuclear security enterprise (NSE). The program will draw on unique talents and perspectives from Minority Serving Institutions (MSI’s) across the nation, to enhance its career and leadership pipeline by offering talented undergraduate and graduate students summer or year-round internship opportunities with the DOE/NNSA headquarters offices, National Laboratories, and site offices. Opportunities involve projects focus on engineering, science, research, technology, policy, business, and government relations.
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This internship program welcomes candidates from all academic backgrounds. The goal of the program is to prepare and motivate participants to pursue careers in areas that support the mission of DOE/NNSA.
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No, participation is limited to students enrolled in a MSI that meets the statutory criteria for identification as a MSI found at https://orise.orau.gov/resources/stem/documents/participants/2023-msi-list.xlsx.
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To apply, you may upload unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed from internal institutional systems. If selected, you will have to provide copies of official transcripts before you can start an appointment.
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Yes. Editing an application requires you withdraw your application. You must submit your application again before the opportunity closes to be considered for the opportunity. Please ensure that the application status shows as Submitted - complete in your dashboard by the deadline.
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You must be a U.S. citizen to participate in this program. If you are not a U.S. citizen at the time of application but expect to be by the internship start date, you may respond “Yes” to the citizenship question in the application. If selected, you must provide proof of citizenship at the time internship appointment is accepted.
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You will have the opportunity to indicate your preference in geographical areas. Your preferences will be taken into consideration in during the selection process.
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No, internships may not be deferred.
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You are responsible for arranging your own housing accommodations. For the summer session, a stipend supplement based on your assigned location will be provided. The housing options will depend on the host facility and the local options. Some sites have secured housing or have onsite housing that may be available to you; other sites will require you to find housing on your own, although most sites generally provide information to help you.
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No, mentors will be asked to provide unclassified project assignments.
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Yes, requests for extensions for internships initially selected for summer only may be offered on a case-by-case basis upon approval of the the NNSA-MSIIP Program Manager. Interns must retain their student status at a Minority Serving Institution, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and receive positive feedback from their mentors.
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Yes, students may apply for and are eligible to participate in the program at multiple times during their undergraduate and graduate studies. However, there should not be an assumption or expectation of being selected for another internship. All students must re-apply and be selected for a project during each application cycle.
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- If you are graduating from an eligible Minority Serving Institution in May/June of 2025, you are eligible to participate in a summer or year-long internship if you are no longer enrolled in school. If enrollment occurs, it must be at a Minority Serving Institution.
- If you are graduating from an eligible Minority Serving Institution in the Fall of 2024 with no plans to continue your education in the Spring of 2025, you are eligible to participate in a summer-only internship. If you enroll at an eligible Minority Serving Institution during the Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 term, you are eligible to extend to a year-long internship.
- If you are graduating in the Fall of 2024 and are enrolling at an eligible Minority Serving Institution in the Spring of 2025, you will be eligible for an extension to a year-long appointment.
- If you are graduating from an eligible Minority Serving Institution in the Fall of 2024 and will be enrolled in an institution that is not a Minority Serving Institution during the Spring of 2025 or later terms, you are not eligible to complete an internship with NNSA-MSIIP.