URA-Sandia Graduate Student Summer Fellowship
Our Paid Graduate Student Fellowship Opportunity for Summer 2026 is now OPEN!
Applications for summer fellowships at Sandia National Laboratories will be accepted no later than 11:59 PM US Eastern Time November 30, 2025. Research will involve unclassified projects in a variety of science and technology fields. The fellowships are sponsored by Universities Research Association (URA) and administered through Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
Objective
This program provides science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research experiences that support Sandia National Laboratories’ (SNL) Research Foundations. For information about the Research Foundations, please visit this page. Sandia’s mission is “To render exceptional service in the national interest” as one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Laboratories. As a DOE National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory, Sandia has a core mission in national security that is synergistically served by a broad range of STEM disciplines in these Research Foundations.
Program Description
Summer Fellows will conduct research in close collaboration with Sandian mentors and technical staff to engage in challenging research and development projects. They will also be included in meetings, events, and tours sponsored by the SNL Student Intern Program, SNL Academic Programs, and URA to support professional development and STEM network engagement.
Eligibility
Applicants must be full-time masters or doctoral graduate students and US citizens.
Selection
Selected applicants will receive a stipend and participate in the defined research of a hosting SNL Research Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by URA and the hosting Research Foundations, with anticipated notification of selection as soon as possible following the closure of applications.
Stipend and Dislocation Travel Allowance
Depending on the appointment location of the Sandian mentor paired with each fellow, the fellowship will be served either at SNL’s Albuquerque, NM or Livermore, CA site. The stipend will be based on participation for 12 weeks, 40 hours/week, and the Fellow’s stage of progress towards terminal degree as of May 2026: Master’s or PhD student with earned Bachelor’s degree, $35.62/hour (NM), $40.71/hour (CA); PhD student with earned Master’s degree, $38.60/hour (NM), $44.07/hour (CA); PhD student beyond qualifying exams, $42.65/hour (NM), $47.54/hour (CA). Medical or other employment benefits are not provided. A total of $2,000 will be provided for dislocation travel expenses. Information regarding housing, on-boarding, and other logistics will be provided to the applicants selected.
Appointment Dates
Selected Summer Fellows should begin on dates negotiated with the SNL sponsor organization beginning in May 2026 and ending in August 2026 to encompass 12 fellowship weeks.
How to Apply
Students should complete a separate application for each participating Research Foundation for which their graduate program and interests are a good match. You will submit applications in the ORISE Zintellect system no later than 11:59 pm ET November 30, 2025.
Inquiries may be sent to ura@sandia.gov with subject line “Inquiry: URA-SNL Summer Fellowship”.