National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers unique research experiences that can set you apart from your college-bound peers. Students work with staff in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, information technology, and computer science. Science at NIST focuses on measurement and advanced technology.

NIST research is subdivided into six organizational NIST laboratories that conduct research in a wide variety of physical and engineering sciences. The labs respond to industry needs for measurement methods, tools, data, and technology. Six laboratories participate in the SHIP program.

Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL)

Engineering Laboratory (EL)

Information Technology Laboratory (ITL)

Material Measurement Laboratory (MML)

NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR)

Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML)

Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of NIST's research, we encourage students to look through the different websites above to discover lots of interesting project areas. The following information describes the types of research performed by each laboratory.

During their tenure at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, the students will not be paid, and are expected to provide their own housing and transportation. The program requires a commitment for a contiguous 8-week period (nominal hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM). This program is open only to United States citizens.