Frequently Asked Questions

Program Questions

1What is the Army HBCU-MI Student Program for Army Research and Knowledge Internship?
The Army HBCU-MI Student Program for Army Research and Knowledge (SPARK) Internship is one of the noble outreach programs under the auspices of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology that offers U.S. graduates and undergraduates in STEM fields a research opportunity at an Army facility within the Army’s science and technology enterprise. For ten weeks during the summer, accepted students will conduct research with Government scientists and engineers who will guide them in Army mission-related research projects, including data analysis and systems modeling.
2What are Army SPARK students expected to do during the internship?
Students will be assigned a mentor, project, and tasks that may lead to publishable results based on the specific research question assigned. The projects are bounded accordingly so the students have milestones to achieve conclusions. At the end of the program, students will present their research findings at the summer symposium.
3What academic majors and fields of study are included in the Army SPARK Internship Program?

The 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
  • Chemistry Civil Engineering
  • Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Science and Analytics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Geosciences
  • Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Information Sciences
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physics
  • Software Engineering

4What is the timeline for the internship? Application Window
Application Window - October 14, 2024, to January 12, 2025, 11:59 PM PST

Stage 1: Eligibility Review - January 12, 2025, to February 9, 2025

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

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

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

Internship (Quarter System Students) - June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025
5What are the internship program dates?
The program dates for interns from institutions on the semester system are June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025. The program dates for interns from institutions on the quarter system are June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025.
6What are Appointments?

Appointments are for a continuous ten-week period (other than federal holidays and weekends). Appointments for interns from institutions on the semester system are June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025. Appointments for interns from institutions on the quarter system are June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025. Interns are required to conduct their research onsite at an Army research facility.

Selected applicants must be able to participate for the entire appointment period of the internship program. Exceptions may be made for military service requirements or medical requirements on a case-by-case basis. Vacation days or Personal Time Off will not be approved.

  • All appointments are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation.
  • Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week during their internship (Monday-Friday).
  • All program participants are considered guest investigators and must comply with all Army facility regulations governing visiting scientists.

7What is the stipend amount, and when will we be paid?
Army SPARK interns will receive a stipend of $1,000.00 per week, paid bi-weekly.
8How is the travel reimbursement handled?
Travel will be coordinated by the program for travel to the Army research facility (at the beginning) and from the Army research facility (at the end) of the research period. The coordinated travel may be by airplane or train. The program administrator will make the travel arrangements. Interns should NOT book travel.

Program Administrators will work with interns to select travel dates, times, and logistics. Once booked, these arrangements will not be changed. Any changes the intern makes are the intern's financial responsibility and will not be reimbursed by the program.

If a participant chooses to drive, reimbursement for expenses incurred when traveling by personal automobile in lieu of air travel for out-of-state travel may not exceed the cost the traveler would have otherwise incurred if the traveler had flown. Mileage reimbursement is a flat amount per mile. Tolls are reimbursable. No additional reimbursement expenses are included. Mileage will be verified using the departure and destination locations.
9Will housing be provided?
Housing is provided and coordinated by the program. The program administrator will book housing, and interns should NOT book their housing.
10Will I need a security clearance for this internship?
Applicants are required to obtain a security clearance to access the laboratory. This involves conducting and passing an extensive background investigation. The investigation verifies and corroborates key information and events from the applicant’s past and recent history. This may include interviews of people who know the applicant well. The investigator may conduct a face-to-face interview with the applicant as part of the process.
11When will poster templates be provided?
Poster templates will be provided with the orientation packet.