Note: This is an annual competition. Detialed information regarding the 2009 summer internships will be posted at a later date.

Undergraduate Summer Research Internships

The Chancellor’s Office and Oak Ridge National Laboratory sponsor a summer internship program to promote research and creative activity among undergraduate students. All undergraduate students enrolled at the Knoxville campus are eligible to apply.

This program consists of two parts -- UT Knoxville Summer Internships and ORNL Summer Internships.

UT Knoxville Summer Internships

Up to 10 internships at $2,000 each will be awarded to support students who will work on a research or creative project with a UT Knoxville faculty mentor for two months in the summer of 2009. The purpose of these internships is to increase the participation of undergraduate students in the UT research enterprise. The UT Knoxville Office of Research administers this internship program with funding provided by the Office of the Chancellor.

The role of the faculty mentor is paramount in this program as they will provide guidance in the choice of a project and in the practice of professional approaches and methods. Projects proposed may be a student’s undergraduate thesis, a part of the faculty mentor’s research program, another research project, or an ongoing project begun previously. The key is that the student be involved in actual scholarly work independent of a classroom setting. Such scholarly work may be research or it may be a creative activity involving the fine arts.

Requirements

• Students interested in this opportunity must first obtain a faculty mentor for their project. The faculty mentor will assist in the choice of a topic, the completion of the proposal form, and in the pursuit and completion of the proposed project.
• Students should indicate a two-month period of the summer during which full-time work will be devoted to the project.
• Students must submit a research paper or creation representing the completed work to be critiqued by the faculty mentor. Papers must also be submitted to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at the conclusion of the internship, no later than August 29.
• Students funded by this program agree to present their results at the annual Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement, or another suitable public forum, such as a professional meeting in the student’s academic field.

How to Apply

Download the UT Knoxville Summer Internship Application Form and follow the instructions.

Selection Criteria

A faculty committee will review proposals and determine the internship recipients. Particular attention will be given to achieving a broad range of disciplines among the awards. Click here for a list of 2008 recipients.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Summer Internships

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) sponsors the second part of the program by funding up to 10 internships for students to work directly with a professional researcher at ORNL. These internships will carry a stipend of $2,000 for 2 months of work at ORNL during the summer of 2009. The UT Knoxville Office of Research administers this program with funding provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Requirements

• Students interested in this internship opportunity should first discuss possible projects with an ORNL researcher. To find a mentor, students may want to check with UT Knoxville faculty members who have working relationships with researchers at ORNL. Students may also contact Jane Taylor, a UT Knoxvile Office of Research liaison for research programs at ORNL, at tayloje@utk.edu or (865) 974-0437.
• Students do not need a UT Knoxville mentor for this part of the program. They will work exclusively at the lab with an ORNL mentor who will determine the work schedule.
• Students must submit an application that includes a listing of science, math, and engineering courses taken; GPA in these courses; any previous research experience; and a description (not to exceed one page) of their possible research interests.
• Students must indicate a two-month period during the summer when they are available.
• Students funded by this program must agree to provide a brief written report to their ORNL mentor at the conclusion of the internship.

How to Apply

Download the ORNL Summer Internship Application Form and follow the instructions.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be transmitted to Oak Ridge National Laboratory where the recipients will be chosen. Selection will be based on academic performance in the science, math, and engineering courses and finding a suitable match between the student and ORNL researcher.

Contact Information

Jane Taylor
Administrative Specialist
UT Knoxville Office of Research
1534 White Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37996-1529
Phone: (865) 974-0437
Fax: (865) 974-7400
E-mail: tayloje@utk.edu