Opportunities
When applying for a DoW HBCUs/MIs Summer Research Internship, you must select the research opportunities you would like to be considered for. Click on a laboratory name below to see relevant disciplines and available research opportunities at that facility.
You can also browse participating labs by relevant discipline.
The Integrated Resilience office is responsible for the overall management, guidance, and implementation of public laws, development of DAF policies, and policy oversight concerning interpersonal and self-directed violence, which includes: sexual assault prevention and response, domestic violence, child maltreatment, workplace violence, suicide and resiliency. The HAF/A1Z Evaluation Team is responsible for the design and implementation of comprehensive evaluations for ISDV prevention programs. This includes the conducting of focus groups, sensing sessions, creation of surveys and pre/post-tests across the DAF
Address: Washington, DC
Website:https://www.resilience.af.mil/
AFRL is the Department of the Air Force Research Laboratory located throughout the United States and Internationally. We are One lab, Two Services for the Air Force and the Space Force. AFRL leads the discovery, development, and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. AFRL is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, home to the Wright brothers and recognized as the birthplace of aviation. We are comprised of Technology Directorates, Functional Directorates, 711th Human Performance Wing, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. To meet current and future technology needs, AFRL has unique facilities and state-of-the-art equipment in locations around the world. Our commitment to innovation gives us the drive to constantly push the envelope and deliver the technology that keeps us prepared for the future.
Address: Multiple Locations Across the Country
Website:https://afresearchlab.com/
The Information Directorate (RI) is the Air Force’s and nation’s premier research organization for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) and Cyber technologies. The directorate explores, prototypes, and demonstrates high-impact, affordable and game-changing technologies. These technologies transform data into information and subsequently knowledge for decision makers to command and control forces. This knowledge gives our air, space and cyberspace forces the competitive advantage needed to protect and defend the nation.
Address: Rome, NY
Website:https://www.afrl.af.mil/RI/
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate develops materials, processes, and advanced manufacturing technologies for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and ground-based systems and their structural, electronic and optical components. Air Force product centers, logistic centers, and operating commands rely on the directorate’s expertise in materials, nondestructive inspection, systems support, and advanced manufacturing methods to solve system, expeditionary deployment, and operational challenges.
Address: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH
Website:https://www.afrl.af.mil/RX/
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the Department of Defense, the United States Government, and international partners to Deter strategic attacks against the United States and its allies; Prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and Prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict. DTRA’s core functions contain many enduring tasks and responsibilities as well as new efforts and initiatives to account for rapidly evolving technological and operational challenges. In all cases, the Agency adapts to address these issues more effectively by performing basic and applied research, exploratory development, and cybersecurity to meet our nation’s most critical science and technology needs. Scholars at DTRA can look forward to working within their Sponsoring Directorate applying their knowledge, experiences, skills, and talents to contribute to the missions of countering and deterring WMD and emerging threats.
Address: Ft. Belvoir, VA; Albuquerque, NM
Website:http://www.dtra.mil
At the U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center, you’ll help engineer what protects Soldiers and allies—today and tomorrow. As a DoD HBCU/MSI intern at Picatinny Arsenal – NJ, you’ll join diverse teams tackling real R&D: think weapons, their fire control and associated software systems, munitions system technology solutions, advanced materials and energetics, prototyping and test, AI/data tools for smart systems, modeling & simulation, human factors, mission-ready manufacturing and sustainment engineering.
What you’ll do
- Contribute to projects that move defense technologies from concept to prototyping to test and evaluation
- Work 1:1 with a technical mentor and present outcomes to senior engineers.
- Build a portfolio (posters, demos, code, analyses) that shows measurable impact.
- Grow your career toolkit with resume, interview, and federal pathways workshops.
Who thrives here
Curious builders and analysts from HBCUs and MSIs—engineering, computer/data science, physics/chem, math, industrial/manufacturing, and business/ops—who want hands-on work, meaningful mentorship, and a mission bigger than themselves.
Why Armaments Center
A collaborative Army innovation hub in northern New Jersey with labs, makerspaces, and test ranges—and a network that lasts long after the internship ends.
Address: Northern NJ (NYC Metro)
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL), as an integral part of the Army Futures Command, is the U.S Army’s foundational research laboratory that has the mission of operationalizing science. The DEVCOM ARL mission essential task of foundational research has the objective to conduct research and reconnaissance to inform future Army science, technology, and engineering and invest in areas that ensure overmatch. DEVCOM ARL executes research in 11 competencies that provide the Army foundational expertise and specialized capabilities grounded in scientific excellence and driven by unique Army challenges. These competencies are: Biological and Biotechnology Sciences; Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences; Energy Sciences, Humans in Complex Systems; Mechanical Sciences; Military Information Sciences; Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences; Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences; Sciences of Extreme Materials; Terminal Effects; and Weapons Sciences.
Address: Multiple Locations Across the Country
Website:https://www.arl.army.mil/
We are the nation’s principal research and development resource for non-medical chem-bio (CB) defense.
Address: Multiple Locations Across the Country
Website:https://www.cbc.devcom.army.mil/
DEVCOM Soldier Center (SC) is located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) which was established in the 1950s in Natick, Massachusetts. Known locally as ‘Natick Labs’, it is deeply rooted in the area’s innovative academic and industrial Science & Technology (S&T) communities and is the lead organization for the Army’s Soldier Domain Technology. DEVCOM SC focuses on the Soldier and incorporates the latest innovations to maximize the Warfighter’s combat readiness, survivability, sustainability, mobility, combat effectiveness and field quality of life. Soldier Center is “The Science Behind the Soldier” as diverse groups of scientists and engineers provide the Army with innovative Science and Technology solutions to optimize the performance of our Soldiers. DEVCOM SC maintains and enhances core competencies such as Soldier Performance/Integration, Individual/Collective Protection, Material Science Fiber/Textile, Military Nutrition/Food Service Logistics, Aerial Delivery, and Army Training Technology that are relevant and critical to support the Soldier of today and tomorrow. We leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum effects, autonomy, advanced energetics, and synthetic biology to give Soldiers the ability to see, sense, decide, and act faster than their adversaries. Our Simulation and Training Technology Division located in Orlando, FL continues the mission to develop, mature and transition innovative training and simulation technologies to maximize Soldier effectiveness and Warfighter readiness.
Address: Natick, MA and Orlando, FL
Website:https://sc.devcom.army.mil/
NAWCAD is the Navy’s largest warfare center with a diverse force of military, civilians and contractors building the navy of today, the navy of tomorrow and the navy after next. The acquisition and sustainment of capability is a weapon of war -NAWCAD delivers! NAWCAD is where naval aviation takes flight through research, development, test and evaluation of both fielded and not-yet fielded naval platforms and technologies that ensure America’s Sailors and Marines always go into conflict with significant advantage.
Address: Patuxent River, MD
The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory’s mission is to deliver aeromedical innovation and solutions – using rigorous research, advanced testing, and multidisciplinary collaboration – to set standards and design systems that save lives and optimize Warfighter performance. The Laboratory’s unique mix of scientific personnel, made up of engineers (general, biomedical, mechanical, electrical), flight surgeons, audiologists, optometrists, and research psychologists, successfully conduct critical research for solving operationally relevant medical problems and collaborate with military developers to enhance the performance and safety of future Army systems. USAARL’s areas of research expertise include operator health and performance in complex systems; the en route care environment; blunt, blast, and accelerative injury and protection; crew survival in rotary-wing aircraft and combat vehicles; and sensory performance, injury, and protection.
Address: Fort Rucker, AL
Website:https://usaarl.health.mil/
“The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center helps solve our nation’s toughest challenges in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, Department of War, civilian agencies, and our Nation’s public good. As one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world, ERDC conducts research and development in support of the Soldier, military installations, and the Corps of Engineers’ civil works mission, as well as for other federal agencies, state and municipal authorities, and with U.S. industries through innovative work agreements. ERDC operates more than $2 billion in world class facilities at seven labs located in four states with more than 2,600 employees to administer an annual research program exceeding $2 billion.”
Address: Multiple locations across the country: Vicksburg, MS (HQ); Duck, NC; Alexandria, VA; Champaign, IL; Hanover, NH; Fox, AK; and Fairbanks, AK
Website:https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/
The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research is the Army’s premier research organization focused exclusively on the combat wounded and is the home of the only Burn Center in the Department of Defense. The USAISR conducts requirements-driven, programmatic research to develop knowledge and material products that drive evidence-based, best clinical practice solutions and deliver advanced technologies for the Warfighter. All are designed to facilitate more effective combat casualty care. Laboratory research is conducted in the areas of 1) blood and shock resuscitation, 2) hemorrhage and vascular dysfunction, 3) organ support and automation technology, 4) combat wound care, and 5) pain and sensory trauma.
Address: Fort Sam Houston, TX
Website:https://usaisr.health.mil/
USAMRIID is the DoD’s lead laboratory for medical biological defense research. USAMRIID’s mission is to provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological agents that threaten both the military and the nation. It is a unique laboratory with the capability of advancing medical countermeasures from discovery through product development, has fielded diagnostic tools and developed multiple vaccine and therapeutic candidates, and responded to crises. USAMRIID’s unique capabilities include BSL-3 and -4 laboratories, world-class expertise in biosafety and biosecurity, test and evaluation of candidate vaccines and therapeutics, and fully accredited animal research facilities to support animal model development. Scientists are internationally renowned experts in genomics, virology, bacteriology, entomology, toxicology, biochemistry, pathology, veterinary medicine, aerobiology, synthetic biology, immunology, and regulatory science.
Address: Frederick, MD
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center supports the joint warfighter by providing science, technology, and test and evaluation expertise to enable warfighter dominance today and in the future. As part of the Army Science and Technology enterprise, the Technical Center contributes to the current fight and enables the next generation to prevail in conflicts to come. The Technical Center focuses on three essential tasks: executing science and technology, research and development, and test and evaluation; managing and operating the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site; and conducting space operations and space domain awareness. The Technical Center contributes to the success of the warfighter and joint force in four major areas: directed energy, tactical responsive space and high altitude, test and evaluation, and hypersonic and strategic weapons.
Address: Redstone Arsenal, AL; Huntsville, AL
Robins Air Force Base is the home of the 78th Air Base Wing and its more than 50 mission partners that make up a vital part of the Air Force warfighting team. It is the largest single-site industrial complex in Georgia, employing a workforce of almost 22,000 civilians, contractors and military members. The WR-ALC provides depot maintenance, engineering support and software development to major weapon systems (F-15, C-5, C-130, C-17 and SOF aircraft). The Complex achieves command objectives providing a capability/capacity to support peacetime maintenance requirements, wartime emergency demands, aircraft battle damage repair and a ready source of maintenance of critical items.
Address: Warner Robins, Georgia