NIST Summer High School Intern Program Research

NIST research is organized into six laboratories covering a broad range of physical and engineering sciences. These laboratories respond to industry needs by developing measurement methods, tools, data, and technologies. SHIP may host students at six (6) laboratories in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and four (4) laboratories in Boulder, Colorado.

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.

(35 students accepted from 338 complete applications received.)
Acceptance Rate

CTL 16.7%

EL 5.1%

ITL 5.0%

MML 14.8%

NCNR 15.0%

PML 20.5%

TOTAL 10.4%

2025 Acceptance Information by LOCATION*

Boulder, CO 4%

Gaithersburg, MD 10.6%

* Note:

For SHIP 2025, some students applied to both locations.

As part of the personal statement, you are asked to select the NIST laboratory to which you will apply. You are encouraged to list first, second, and even third choices since the number of students accepted by each program varies from year to year. In making your choice, review the general descriptions below and consider which best fits your career interests as well as the advanced science courses (e.g., chemistry, physics, computer science, environmental science, engineering) that you have taken so far.

If you have computer programming experience and are interested in a project that involves programming, you are encouraged to mention that explicitly in your statement. Note that there is very limited opportunity for SHIP research in the biological or life sciences at NIST.

The research performed in each NIST Laboratory typically spans a wide-variety of scientific disciplines. The list below provides an overview of the scientific focus areas in each one. For more specific information, you are encouraged to check out the website for each Lab.

Through research and development in communications technology, CTL supports the development and advancement of measurement science, standards infrastructure, and communications technology. Primary focus areas include wireless networking, radio frequency advanced technologies, and public safety communications.

Examples of Research

Activities:

Broadband communications network for emergency responders; models of high frequency wireless devices; communication sharing the same frequency space, etc.

Relevant Academic Interests and Coursework: Computer science, mathematics, and statistics.

The EL develops standards (such as performance metrics, testing methods, reference materials, etc.) and meets the measurement science needs for technology-intensive manufacturing, construction, and cyber-physical systems, including the Smart Grid Program. The laboratory also promotes the development of new advanced manufacturing and construction technologies for U.S. industries.

Examples of Research

Activities:

Innovative fire protection, sustainable manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing (such as automation, robotics, and equipment), net zero-energy buildings, integrated and automated construction processes, new building materials and systems, economic impacts, and disaster-resilient structures.

Relevant Academic Interests and Coursework: Physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, economics, mechanical engineering and engineering physics. Students interested in electrical engineering should apply to PML.

Through research and development in information technology, applied mathematics, and statistics, ITL supports the development and advancement of measurement science, standards infrastructure, and computer technology. Primary focus areas include networking and communications, computer security, software engineering and human interaction with computers.

Examples of Research

Activities:

Computer network modeling, biometrics for computer access and security, cryptography, computer forensics, trustworthy software, software quality testing, digital data retrieval and preservation, bioinformatics,…