ARMY HBCU/MI SPARK
Student Program for Army Research and Knowledge
The Army HBCU/MI SPARK – Student Program for Army Research and Knowledge is one of the noble science outreach programs under the auspices of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology that offers U.S. undergraduates in STEM fields a research opportunity at an Army laboratory within the Army’s science and technology enterprise. Accepted students will spend their summer of 2024 mentored by the government scientists and engineers who will guide them in Army mission related research projects including data analysis and systems modeling.
Students will be assigned a project, mentor, and tasks to lead to publishable results based on the specific research question assigned. The projects are bounded accordingly so the student has milestones to achieve conclusions. At the end of the program, the students will present their research findings at the summer symposium.
Academic Major Fields of Study
The internship program focuses on students pursuing disciplines that are critical to Department of Army national security priority initiatives. The following is a list of approved STEM disciplines. These disciplines are general umbrella disciplines – specific applicant majors or fields of study may fall under one or more discipline on this list.
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biosciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science and Analytics
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Geosciences
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- Software Engineering
*Please note that non-technical degrees to include management, arts, or humanities are not approved or funded by this Army Internship initiative.
Army HBCU/MI SPARK
The Army HBCU/MI SPARK (Student Partnership for Applied Research in the Knowledge) program is an initiative designed to foster collaboration between the U.S. Army and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) in the United States. The program aims to leverage the expertise and resources available at these institutions to address research and development challenges relevant to the Army's mission and goals.
The program benefits students at HBCUs/Mis in several ways:
- Research Opportunities: Students at HBCUs/MIs have the opportunity to engage in applied research projects aligned with the priorities and needs of the U.S. Army. This collaboration allows students to work on real-world problems and contribute to advancements in various fields.
- Professional Development: Participation in the SPARK program provides HBCU/MI students with valuable professional development opportunities. They can collaborate with Army researchers, attend workshops and seminars, and gain hands-on experience in areas relevant to their academic and career interests.
- Networking and Partnerships: The program facilitates networking and collaboration between HBCUs/MIs and the broader research community, including government agencies, industry partners, and other academic institutions. These partnerships can lead to long-term collaborations, joint research projects, and opportunities for funding and support.
- Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion: By actively engaging HBCUs/MIs in research and development initiatives, the SPARK program promotes diversity and inclusion within the scientific and technical workforce. It provides opportunities for underrepresented groups to contribute their unique perspectives and talents to the advancement of science and technology.
Overall, the Army HBCU/MI SPARK program serves as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange between the U.S. Army and HBCUs/MIs, benefiting both parties and contributing to the advancement of science, technology, and national security.
SPARK your work experience this summer, Apply now!