The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity Program is a highly selective program offering challenging short-term research opportunities to current graduate students in Master’s or Doctoral degree programs or those holding recent Master’s degrees. ASTRO participants conduct research in areas that support ORNL missions in the basic and applied sciences, energy, and environment. Appointments are available in all current research and development programs at the Laboratory.
- Applications are accepted on a year-around basis
- Appointments are for a minimum of three months or as long as twelve months, with possibility of renewal up to an additional twelve months
- Participants engage in research or technical projects related to DOE’s ongoing research and development programs under the guidance of Laboratory staff scientists or engineers
- Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s or a Ph.D. program at an accredited institution, or hold a recent (within the past five years) Master’s degree, or have a Master’s equivalency in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) area.
- There are no U.S. citizenship or GPA requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s or a Ph.D. program at an accredited institution, or hold a recent (within the past five years) Master’s degree, or have a Master’s equivalency in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) area.
- Be a U.S. citizen or hold a visa allowing the participant to be paid
- Have medical insurance during the appointment – verification required
Amount Description
- Participants receive a monthly stipend; amount commensurate with the participant’s academic status
- The mentor can allocate funds for a one-time dislocation allowance
- Participants can attend enrichment activities, including professional development
workshops, Laboratory tours, lectures, seminars and poster presentations, with mentor approval