*APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM ET.*

The NextGen Pathway to Computing Program affords rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates in accredited high schools or home school programs in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Roane, and Sevier counties the opportunity to learn about foundational computer and computational science skills. Students will be mentored by ORNL research and technical staff and will gain valuable skills needed for successful careers in computing fields. Participants will have access to ORNL’s leadership-class facilities, including Frontier, the world’s most powerful supercomputer. With a focus on solving the world’s most challenging scientific and technical challenges, ORNL conducts basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. ORNL’s Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate oversees an immense store of computing power, and its talented staff of computational scientists and mathematicians conduct state-of-the-art research and development in computer and computational sciences in support of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) missions and programs.

Any public, private, or homeschool student who attends or has recently graduated from any high school in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Roane, or Sevier Counties is eligible to apply.

Selected students will participate from June 23, 2025 – July 25, 2025, and will receive the following benefits:

• $500 per week stipend based on full-time participation each week
• The opportunity to learn from world-renown scientists and engineers
• Optional professional development activities, including workshops, lab tours, lectures, poster sessions, seminars, and networking opportunities
• Lunch stipend
• Transportation to and from ORNL may be available

This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) under the NextGen Pathway to Computing Program.

To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR) at the time of application
• Be a rising high school junior or senior for the 2025-2026 academic year (expected graduation in 2026 or 2027) OR
  • Have graduated high school during the 2024-2025 academic calendar and not yet enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application
• Be in good standing at an accredited high school or enrolled in an accredited home school program in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Roane, or Sevier county in Tennessee
• Be at least 16 years of age by the time of appointment, June 23, 2025
• Provide proof of health insurance coverage
• Complete a Zintellect application

The application will require:

• Profile information
• Educational details (i.e. dates of attendance/graduation, GPAs, majors, etc.)
• Goals
• Experience and skills
• Academic records - for this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of academic records may be submitted showing name, school name, current/enrolled classes, and GPA (.pdf upload)

Electronic applications must be received through the Zintellect application system. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

*APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM ET.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED received within the last 24 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (20 )
  • Engineering (6 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (18 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 )
• Age: Must be 16 years old by 6/23/2025

I certify the following:

• I am a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application
• I am either a rising high school junior or senior for the 2025-2026 academic year (expected graduation in 2026 or 2027) OR
  • I have graduated high school during the 2024-2025 academic calendar and not yet enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application
• I am a student in good standing or a recent graduate from an accredited high school or enrolled in an accredited home school program in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Roane, or Sevier county in Tennessee
• I will be least 16 years of age by the time of appointment
• I can provide proof of health insurance coverage
• I can complete the Zintellect application