Non-clinical Suicide Prevention and Response (SPR) internship / fellowship
Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start your application.
The Headquarters, Department of the Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience, and Readiness (DPRR) is offering internships and fellowships for current or recently graduated students in Arlington, VA. Suicide or self-harm and substance misuse behaviors are a result of a complex interaction of many factors which include environmental, psychological, physical, and social elements. Because there is not one single solution; this challenge requires a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention efforts for communities and organizations. The Army’s approach operationalizes the public health approach, which includes defining the problem, identifying influencing risk and protective factors to describe the problem, then identifying, implementing, and evaluating helping agencies, programs, and services. This educational internship opportunity is within the DPRR Suicide Prevention and Response Program.
What will I be doing?
As an ORISE participant, you will join the HQDA G-1 DPRR Ready and Resilient Integration (R2I) Division which implements the Suicide Prevention and Response Program and Army Substance Abuse Program activities to establish Army-wide prevention, intervention, and postvention systems. The program includes a comprehensive approach to reducing instances of substance misuse and suicide through capabilities that create protective environments, promote connectedness, teach coping and problem-solving skills, and improve access to resources.
Why should I apply?
Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands-on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will engage in activities and partnerships in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:
- Developing logic models related to suicide prevention (primary), intervention (secondary), and crisis response (tertiary) efforts
- Conducting literature and report reviews
- Designing and developing evaluation framework (policies, programmatic, training, or initiatives)
- Evaluating and assessing outcomes for specified activities
- Identifying and collecting metrics or key performance indicators which can be utilized to support evaluation
What is the anticipated start date?
Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and internships or fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.
What is the appointment length?
The stipend range will be approximately $4000.00 to $4500.00/month for bachelor's level candidates up to $8000.00 to $9000.00/month for postdoctoral candidates based on fulltime participation and will be determined by HQDA. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:
- Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
- Relocation Allowance
- Training and Travel Allowance
About HQDA
The Army’s Suicide Prevention Program aligns policies, practices, and programs that promote positive behavioral changes, strengthen personal and collective bonds, and build readiness and resilience through collaborative partnerships and evidence-based programs that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable. Specific elements include stigma reduction efforts, help-seeking behaviors, and proactive activities (for example, financial literacy and skill building) before the point of crises, while supporting activities and services intended to improve the quality of life of Soldiers, Department of the Army, their Families, and installations. The Army’s Suicide Prevention Program improves the Army's readiness by developing and enhancing the Army’s Suicide Prevention Program policies, training, data collection and analysis, and strategic communications designed to prevent suicide and support those affected by suicide. In 2025 the Army began implementing Suicide Prevention and Response IRC transformation actions which include modernization of training, implementation of targeted strategies to utilize non-clinical counseling, and development of leadership focused tools.
About ORISE
This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.
The qualified candidate will have or be currently pursuing a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in public health, psychology, sociology, or related field. U.S. military veterans who have been honorably discharged (or who have been medically discharged because of a service-connected disability), and who received a bachelor's degree within ten years of the desired start date are eligible.
Highly competitive applicants will have education and/or experience in one or more of the following:
- Knowledge and/or experience in planning, organizing, implementing, analyzing, and integrating comprehensive suicide prevention efforts through coalitions and partnerships within and outside of the military community.
- Knowledge of the public health approach to prevention.
- Experience in literature reviews for public health or prevention science topics.
- Knowledge and/or experience in interpreting and analyzing data that will be used in understanding the scope of harmful behaviors in a military community.
- Understanding and/or experience in qualitative, quantitative and mixed method analyses for public health issues.
- Experience in developing logic models.
- Knowledge and/or experience in feasibility, evaluability, process and/or outcome evaluations.
- Knowledge of suicide intervention and / or response evidence informed activities.
Application Requirements
A complete application consists of:
- Zintellect Profile
- Educational and Employment History
- Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
- Resume (PDF)
- Transcripts/Academic Records - Please upload a copy of a transcript for your current or most recent degree program that meets the disciplinary qualifications of the opportunity. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- One recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until one recommendation is submitted. We encourage you to contact your recommender(s) as soon as you start your application to ensure they are able to complete the recommendation form and to let them know to expect a message from Zintellect. Recommenders will be asked to rate your scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe how they know you. You can always log back in to your Zintellect account and check the status of your application.
If you have questions, send an email to ARMY@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [Army-HQDA-DCS-G1-2026-0001] in the subject line of the email. Please understand that ORISE does not review applications or select applicants; selections are made by the sponsoring agency identified on this opportunity. All application materials should be submitted via the “Apply” button at the bottom of this opportunity listing. Please do not send application materials to the email address above.
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- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
- Discipline(s):
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
- Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
ORISE GO
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