Application Deadline:  January 15, 2027 

Applications must be submitted in Zintellect. 

A complete application includes: 

1. Resume listing your relevant coursework and lab experience as well as all papers, presentations, or publications you may have authored or co-authored. Include any reprints or abstracts if they are available.
2. Transcripts verifying current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited university or technical institute.  Original student copies are acceptable. 
3. Statement of Interest describing your scientific research experience including lab experience and relevant academic coursework. State how this experience intersects with your personal and professional goals.  
4. Three References. While formal reference forms are not required for the Summer Student Experience, applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. During the review process, ARL Selecting Officials may contact references as part of the evaluation process.

The DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Research Associateship Program (RAP) Summer Student Experience (SSE) is an educational program that allows undergraduate through PhD students and recent bachelor’s and master's degree graduates to participate in a paid research experience at a Department of Defense laboratory over the summer break.  Participants are paired with scientists and engineers at ARL who are helping to shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces future operational needs.  As a participant in the ARL-RAP SSE, you will be part of high priority research efforts that are broadly supported by 7 fundamental research divisions.  While ARL has identified several specific research topics, the opportunity for general research may also exist under each division. 

The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army. Scientists and Engineers at the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) help shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces in meeting future operational needs by pursuing scientific research and technological developments in diverse fields such as: applied mathematics, atmospheric characterization, simulation and human modeling, digital/optical signal processing, nanotechnology, material science and technology, multifunctional technology, combustion processes, propulsion and flight physics, communication and networking, and computational and information sciences. 

ARL’s Army Research Directorate (ARD) focuses on exploiting concept development, discovery, technology development, and transition of the most promising disruptive science and technology to deliver to the Army fundamentally advantageous science-based capabilities through ARL's seven fundamental research areas. This intramural research directorate also manages the laboratory’s essential research programs, which are flagship research efforts focused on delivering defined outcomes.

Citizenship 
U.S. Citizenship is not required to be considered for the Summer Student Experience, but non-U.S. Citizens are strongly encouraged to apply early to allow additional processing time for the ORAU Immigration Office and ARL security. 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements 
Please refer to the eligibility requirements listed for your specific topic(s) of interest. 

• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.50
• Academic Level(s): Associate’s Degree (Journeyman Fellow), Bachelor’s Degree (Journeyman Fellow), Master’s Degree (Journeyman Fellow), or Doctoral Degree (Postdoctoral Fellow).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (29 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 5/1/2027