Internships

Program Description

VFP provides 10-week summer hands-on research experiences at Fermilab for faculty and student teams from community colleges and four-year institutions historically underrepresented in the research community. Faculty applicants must submit a research project proposal co-developed with Fermilab staff.

This program, sponsored by the Department of Energy Office of Science, aims to provide faculty with a competitive edge when applying for federal research funding.

Further program information

Eligibility

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of application
• Full-time faculty member at an accredited U.S. college or university historically underrepresented in the U.S. research community
• Full-time faculty member in one of the following disciplines: physics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, materials sciences, computational sciences, or environmental science

Application Procedure

• Online DOE application
• Curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation (Due date is application close date).
• A research project proposal that is co-developed with FNAL staff

Internship Details

2026 Summer

• Application Period: October 15, 2025 – January 17, 2026
  
• Program Date: June 1, 2026 – August 7, 2026
• Offer Period:  February 4 – April 15, 2026
• Acceptance Period:  February 4 – April 15, 2026
• Housing: Not provided. Local housing information available.
• VFP Faculty Salary: $1,600 per week for 40-hour work week
• VFP Student Salary: $650 per week for 40-hour work week
• Transportation: Paid round-trip airfare, or mileage reimbursement if permanent address is more than 50 miles from host laboratory. Travel by private automobile reimbursed at the current government rate up to $500.00 or the lowest commercial airfare, whichever is lower.
• Location: Onsite work schedule. Fully remote participation not available.

Deliverables

• Oral presentation (Faculty strongly encouraged)
• Oral or Poster Presentation (Required for students)
• Research Project Report (Required for both students & faculty)
• General Audience Abstract (Required for students)
• Peer Review (Required for students)
• Pre-Survey (Required for both students & faculty)
• Post-Survey (Required for both students & faculty)