Universities Space Research Association (USRA) administers a three-pronged approach to strengthening the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce pipeline that includes: the AFRL Scholars Program, AFRL Scholars Professionals, and the University Research and Engagement Program (UREP). This portfolio of enriching programs aligns directly with the Federal STEM Strategy and Department of Defense (DoD) STEM mission for the U.S. Department of the Air Force by offering immersive project-based learning opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows.

The Griffiss Institute aims to develop the next generation of STEM talent and defense technologies that will strengthen U.S. national security and create economic opportunity for our region, state and nation. We elevate talent, we empower innovation, and we enable experience.

Formed in 1967, SOCHE is a consortium of colleges and universities in Ohio that promotes educated, employed, and engaged citizens. SOCHE is a leader for higher collaboration, engaging with colleges, universities, and industry to transform the economy through education and employment.

The Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program offers nationally competitive fellowship awards to postdoctoral and senior scientists to perform collaborative research at U.S. Air Force research facilities across the country. Since 1966, the Air Force S&T Enterprise has hosted over 1,000 fellows under the NRC Research Associateship Programs and many of these researchers have gone on to successful careers in government laboratories. The Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program continues this tradition of providing high quality research opportunities with Air Force scientists and engineers at Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The CRFP is a leading fellowship program that recruits, employs, funds, and mentors student and post-doctoral researchers. Through the CRFP, graduate and undergraduate students and post-doctoral Fellows are matched with government agencies that provide applied research experience in support of the U.S. Department of Defense. With the supervision of mentors and specialists, research Fellows develop research, analytical, and technical writing skills by assisting experts while maintaining classes and pursuing a degree. Research fellowships give students and post-doctoral researchers 1-3 years of experience in applied research settings, making their fellowship as beneficial for their future career as it is for their education.

This program helps to prepare college graduates for contract specialist careers. Trainees work with professional contracting officers and receive formal and on-the-job training in all aspects of contract management, including requirements definition, solicitation preparation, price justification, negotiation and award, and contract administration. Selected candidates complete a 3- to 4-year formal training plan, with annual promotion opportunity based upon successful performance, meeting time-in-grade requirements, and supervisory approval at each grade level.

Program description coming soon!

Leadership Experience Growing Apprenticeships Committed to Youth (LEGACY) is an Air Force program that changes the game when it comes to identifying and retaining young diverse talent that will make up the future workforce. This three-phase program is designed to propel a middle school student to an Air Force STEM career after college graduation. The three phases of LEGACY are Craftsman (age 11-15), Jr Apprentice (age 16+), and Apprentice (college). Craftsman students are inspired through a series of week-long camps with hands-on experiences and opportunities to engage with their peers. Jr Apprentice students experience a six to eight week internship during which they work under the guidance of a mentor, showcasing their projects at the end of the session. Apprentice students build on their experience from the Jr Apprentice phase. Working under the tutelage of a mentor, they are expected to be more independent and have more responsibility. These students grow into mentors for younger students in the program. Mentoring plays a vital role in LEGACY. The strength and prestige of LEGACY is a direct result of enthusiastic students and quality mentors and volunteers. The Air Force strives to influence and inspire the next generation of young minds.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship program was established in 1989 by direction of congress as an approach to increasing the number of United States (U.S.) citizens receiving doctoral degrees in science and engineering (S&E) disciplines to DoD Relevance.

The Technology and National Security Fellowship is an opportunity for technologists and entrepreneurs to serve their country by embedding with key decision-makers at the top levels of the U.S. Government. Recent advanced-degree graduates serve their country through this one-year Department of Defense fellowship in the Pentagon or Capitol Hill to address technology and national security policy issues.Fellows embed with host offices within U.S. Government to provide advice and emerging expertise for matters at the critical intersection of national security and technology.

The X-Force Fellowship is a summer internship program that provides undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates a chance to serve their country by solving real-world national security problems in collaboration with the U.S. military.

ORISE connects the most talented and diverse college students, recent graduates, postdocs, and faculty to STEM internship and fellowship programs closely aligned with the interests of a variety of research facilities, including those managed for the U.S. Department of Energy and more than a dozen other federal agencies. These STEM internship and fellowship programs are key to the recruitment and preparation of the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.

If you’re a current student or recent graduate, you may be eligible for federal internships and job opportunities through the Pathways and other student programs.

When choosing a college internship, it's wise to keep your eye on the future. Will the experience give you the tools and expertise you'll need in your future career? Will you be engaged in and making meaningful contributions to real world-projects? With an AFCS internship, not only will you be able to answer affirmative to the above, but it provides you with something other internships don't: a rewarding career upon successful completion of the program. With three appealing options to choose from, your most difficult decision will be choosing the right one for you.

This 10-week educational internship program posthumously honors Dr. Daniel W. Repperger, who mentored many young people during his 35-year research career with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), by providing research opportunities for students to participate in research projects at one of the Air Force facilities under the mentorship of an Air Force scientist. Each scientist has been hand selected to mentor, because of their technical knowledge, experience, and willingness to help science and engineering students enhance their learning through participation in an actual Air Force research project.

Program description coming soon!

The Science, Mathematics , and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is part of a connected effort to improve the flow of new, highly skilled technical labor into Department of Defense facilities and agencies to enhance the technical skills of the workforce already in place. SMART offers scholarships to Undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral students who have demonstrated the ability and special aptitude for excelling in STEM fields. SMART Scholars receive a cash award paid, full tuition and related education expenses, health insurance reimbursement allowance, book allowance, summer internship(s), and post-graduation career opportunities.

Program description coming soon!

The TMCF Internship Program is an integral part of a students’ education. It helps students successfully apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges. With every internship experience, students have an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while making meaningful contributions to their employer. Through strategic partnerships with major companies and government agencies TMCF offers 10-12 week paid internships that usually take place during the summer between the months of June and August. Interns work in various locations across the United States in state-of-the-art facilities conducting research and/or contributing to the overall organizational enterprise. In addition, interns work on challenging projects and participate in career readiness workshops and webinars. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for available opportunities until positions are filled. All majors are welcome to apply.

The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is managed by ODEP and the U.S. Department of Defense's Diversity Management Operations Center (DMOC). Every year, the WRP connects federal and select private-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities eager to demonstrate their skills and abilities in the workplace through internships and permanent jobs. Students and recent graduates apply to the WRP each fall through participating colleges managed by a School Coordinator. Applicants can then receive elective informational interviews with federal employees who serve as volunteer recruiters. The WRP database is then updated each December with these applicants, and federal agencies recruit undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates at any time during the year for a variety of internships and permanent positions.