Los Alamos National Labs with logo 2021

African American Partnership Program

Graduate career research experiences for African American students in STEM disciplines

Contacts  

  • Tommy Rockward
  • Michelle B. Lee

AAPP

The Laboratory strives to attract and retain the best and the brightest to support our efforts in solving matters of national security. We recognize the importance of programs that support underrepresented populations in the STEM fields and know the African American Partnership Program is a strong pipeline to outstanding talent.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is truly a place to launch a career. Consider taking the next step towards becoming a member of our talented workforce.

Program mission

The mission of the African American Partnership Program (AAPP) is to attract, support and retain African American students in STEM fields to positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Supporting goals

  1. Provide African American graduate students in STEM with internship opportunities.
  2. Equip students to successfully complete academic and professional commitments.
  3. Build and nurture a diverse pipeline of STEM expertise at the Laboratory.
  4. Ensure and sustain long-term relationships between the Lab, students and their universities.
  5. Deepen relationships and collaborations between the Lab, the student and the university.
  6. Identify and maintain successful employment pipelines.

Supported technical areas

All areas of STEM focused research will be considered. Students will be matched with a Lab staff member who will serve as a mentor. Alignment between work currently being performed at the applicant’s institution and that of the partnering Lab staff member will be helpful in the internship process.

View the Lab's research areas »

Student support

The African American Partnership Program offers:

  • Professional development opportunities and requirements
  • Access to all student program resources and social engagement
  • Soft skills training and professional mentorship

Participant qualifications

  • Is an African American graduate student from any accredited U.S. college or university
  • Applying to or currently in a graduate program in any STEM field
  • Has a GPA of 3.2 or above
  • Meets all student hiring process requirements

Application information

Requirements

Applicants must submit the following items:

  1. Cover letter describing the work to be performed at the Laboratory and identifying the Lab principal investigator (PI) who will serve as a mentor. Also address the questions described below.
  2. Current Curriculum Vitae
  3. University transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
  4. Letter of recommendation
  5. Letter of support from a LANL staff member who will serve as mentor
  6. Faculty member description of research interest and commitment to collaborate with the Laboratory in this area should the student application be accepted by the Lab

Address the following questions in your cover letter:

  1. Why are you interested in this program?
  2. How would you benefit from this program?
  3. What are your career goals and how does this program relate to them?

Timeline

Applications are accepted:

  1. Late March for summer internships
  2. Late June for fall internships
  3. Late November for spring internships
  4. As needed for unique and specific Lab opportunities

Students will be notified 2 months in advance of the anticipated start date for the internship award.

Compensation

  • Intern salary will be consistent with Graduate Student salary scale.
  • Students may arrange work off-site with continued compensation for up to five months to continue research collaboration. This arrangement shall be consistent with the requirement of the Laboratory’s Off-site Student Policy.
  • Travel costs for pre-approved trips to and from the Lab will be reimbursed.