SHIP Application and Selection Process

2026 Timeline

• January 26, at 11:59 pm ET — Applications are due. Late applications will not be considered.
• January 29, at 11:59 pm ET - All letters of recommendation are due.
• February 26 - 29 — You will be notified if your application is completed and moving forward to the next phase of consideration. If your application is disqualified, you will be notified.
• March 3 - April 18 — Mentors will review applications and make offers.
• April 21 - May 2 — If you are not selected for the program, you will receive a notification email from USAJobs.gov and/or from ship [at] nist.gov (ship[at]nist[dot]gov)   
• April 01 - June 02 — For selected candidates, required forms are due, including:
  • Official/final transcript
  • AU of IT Security
  • Work permit (if you live in Maryland and are younger than 18)
  • Student Volunteer Agreement
  • NIST Health Unit form
  • Photo, video, audio release form
  • SHIP General Information Sheet
• June 02 - 13 — OU SHIP Admin personnel must schedule appointments with the NIST Security and Badge office to bring students to campus for fingerprint and badging. The admin must add student names to the Visitor Center and Pick up students at the Visitor office to the Badging & Security Offices. All fingerprints will be taken by making an appointment through your OU/lab or the NIST Office, NIST Office of Security, or the police station.
• June 22 — SHIP Orientation/First Day
• August 05 — Poster Session
• August 06- Judges meeting to Discuss SHIP Poster Winners
• August 7 — SHIP Closing Ceremony  & last day of the program

What to Gather for Your Application 

• A brief resume that should include your name, email address, high school, GPA, and graduation date.
• An unofficial or official copy of your school transcript. MUST state 11th Grade or Junior, 12th Grade or Senior, Or Recent Graduate
• Names and email addresses for two people who are willing to provide a recommendation (STEM). The First recommendation must be from a STEM teacher. The Second Recommendation can be from volunteering at events at school or elsewhere, a coach, or another teacher (who may or may not also be a STEM teacher).
• A personal statement (up to one page).
• Availability Form signed by you and your parents indicating your availability for the full, eight-week period during the summer if you accept the position.

Letters of Recommendation 

• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• One must come from a teacher in a STEM field
• The second may be written by any teacher or a professional reference, such as a club advisor, coach, volunteer supervisor, or workplace supervisor
• Applicants must notify their references through the online application system
• Applicants are encouraged to use references' personal emails to avoid firewall issues
• References must submit their letter via the online application module within 3 calendar days after the vacancy closes.
• Letters for 2026 SHIP are due by 11:59PM ET on January 29, 2026

Personal Statement 

Your personal statement, which should be no more than one page, should include: 

• Description of your interest in science.
• Choice of organizational NIST laboratory you’d like to work in.
• Description of future plans after graduation from high school.
• How will you provide for your housing and transportation during the summer (if you are not from the Washington, D.C. area)? 

Set Up Your USA Jobs Profile 

1. Go to USAJobs and create a profile (or sign into your existing profile).
2. Upload your resume to the profile.
3. Answer the questions to finish setting up your profile. Note: This profile can be used for any federal job. This is not specific to the SHIP program. Filling out this profile alone is not a SHIP application. 

Applying to the SHIP Program 

1. Once your profile is complete, USAJobs will ask you if you want to continue the application. Select "Yes."
2. Make sure you are answering a list of questions, and you see a request for your recommenders. Otherwise, you are not in the SHIP application.
3. Add all of the required elements and submit your application before the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered. 

After Your Application Is Submitted 

• Between March 03 to April 18th, you may be contacted for a phone or in-person interview AND/OR receive an offer by email.
• We encourage you to learn about what’s going on at NIST before your interview; however, please do not contact potential NIST mentors.
• You will know between April 21st and May 2nd if you’ve been accepted to the program. 

After You Accept the Offer

Once you’re accepted to the program, you will fill out the following forms: 

• Student Volunteer Agreement (all students)
• Maryland Work Permit (Gaithersburg, Maryland, students under 18 only, regardless of where you live)
• Additional forms may be provided by your lab
• Forms must be returned as soon as possible but no later than June 1. Failure to return forms on time means you will be removed from the program for the summer; there are no exceptions.