About

2025 Program Details

Program Pamphlets & Flyers

Download the program pamphlet containing relevant program information.

2024 Program Details

The Army HBCU-MI SPARK (Student Partnership for Applied Research and 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.

Internship Details

The Army HBCU-MI SPARK program offers a 10-week summer research internship at Army research facilities across the United States. For students attending a college or university on the semester system, the internship is from June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025. For students attending a college or university on the quarter system, the internship is from June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025. Accepted interns will work directly with a mentor at an Army research facility. The program provides accepted interns stipends, housing, and some travel funds.

STEM Academic Disciplines or Army Relevant Discipline

The SPARK internship program focuses on students pursuing disciplines critical to the Department of Army's 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 disciplines 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, including management, arts, or humanities, are not approved or funded by this Army Internship initiative.

Appointments

  • Appointments run continuously from June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025, for students attending a college or university on the semester system and from June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025, for students attending a college or university on the quarter system, excluding federal holidays and weekends.
  • On-site research at the facility or affiliated center is mandatory for all interns.
  • Interns must commit to the entire internship period; exceptions for military obligations, medical conditions, and bereavement may be considered case-by-case, but personal time off will not be granted.
  • Background investigations are required for all appointments.
  • Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week.
  • All participants are considered guest investigators and must adhere to facility regulations.

Internship Timeline

  • October 14, 2024, to January 19, 2025, 11:59 PM PSTApplication Window

  • January 19, 2025, to February 9, 2025Stage 1: Eligibility Review

  • February 10, 2025, to March 10, 2025Stage 2: Mentor Selections

  • February 17, 2025, to May 23, 2025Stage 3: Background Investigation

  • June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025Internship (Semester System Students)

  • June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025Internship (Quarter System Students)

Army HBCU-MI SPARK Program Dates

Semester System Students: the program is from June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025.
Quarter System Students: the program is from June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements

The Army HBCU-MI Program applications are open from October 14, 2024, to January 19, 2025, with awards being granted in the spring. All applications must be submitted by January 19, 2025, 11:59 PM PST. This program is open to graduate and undergraduate HBCU and MI students.

Accepted Interns must:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen (no dual citizenship).
  • Currently attend an HBCU or MI.
  • Be majoring in a STEM academic discipline or other Army-relevant discipline.
  • Be 18 or older at the time of application.
  • Be a full-time student or recent graduate (December 2024 or later).
  • Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  • Possess a Federal ID like a REAL ID or a valid U.S. Passport.
  • Successfully complete a background investigation.

Appointment Requirements

Security Clearance
Patent and Inventions Disclosure
Reporting

Appointment Benefits

Stipends
Travel or Mileage Reimbursement
Housing

Why Should You Consider Applying?

The program benefits students at HBCUs-MIs in several ways:

  1. 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.

  2. Professional Development: Participation in the SPARK program provides HBCU and MI students 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.

  3. Networking and Partnerships: The program facilitates networking and collaboration among 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.

  4. Engagement and Advancement: By actively involving HBCUs and MIs in research and development initiatives, the SPARK program leverages these institutions' capabilities and expertise to advance science and technology.

Overall, the Army HBCU-MI SPARK program catalyzes collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange between the U.S. Army and HBCUs-MIs, benefiting both parties and advancing science, technology, and national security.

Office Hours Webinar

Current office hours dates and times:

October 16, 2024 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT Registration Link
October 23, 2024 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT Registration Link
November 6, 2024 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST Registration Link
November 20, 2024 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST Registration Link
December 4, 2024 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST Registration Link
December 18, 2024 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST Registration Link
January 8, 2025 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST Registration Link

Additional Information

For additional information, call or email the program help desk.
Call Toll Free: 866-225-0045
Email Us: support@armyspark.com

SPARK your work experience this summer, Apply now!