FEBRUARY 11, 2026 – The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is offering students at every stage, from high school through graduate school, the opportunity to contribute to cutting edge research that supports national security and advances scientific discovery through its internship and fellowship programs.
For more than a century, NRL has led breakthrough research across disciplines including space science, materials engineering, biomedical technology and artificial intelligence. Its student programs are designed not only to train the next generation of scientists and engineers but to integrate them into active research programs where their work has real-world impact.
“These programs are meaningful experiences for students and mentors alike that range from shaping academic paths to launching full-time science and engineering careers in public service,” said Erica Deschak-Joya, NRL Human Resources Specialist and General Laboratory Scientific Interchange Programs (GLSIP) Coordinator.
Former interns say the programs provide rare access to advanced research environments early in their careers.
“I was drawn to NRL because of its cutting-edge research and the fact that it welcomes students early in their academic careers,” said Manya Yellepeddy, a former Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) intern. “It’s an environment where students can work with advanced technology while contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven research effort.”
Mentors emphasize that interns are not just observers, but contributors. Some even go on to become full-time NRL employees.
“They really make an impact on the work we do,” said Maggie Stevens, Ph.D., NRL research scientist and internship mentor for the past two years. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow as researchers while advancing our programs at the same time.”
NRL offers a range of programs for students with different interests and academic levels, including Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), The Student Volunteer Program, the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP), and graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. These represent only a portion of the opportunities available with additional programs designed to meet specialized technical needs and evolving workforce priorities.
Students who are curious, reliable and motivated to tackle challenging problems are encouraged to apply.
To hear directly from former interns and mentors, watch the video featured above.
For information on eligibility, application deadlines and available programs, visit: NRL Student Opportunities
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements.
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at NRLPAO@us.navy.mil.
From Jameson Crabtree
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory