Last updated: October 2026
Fermilab runs more than half a dozen paid undergraduate programs, and the main summer application is open today. The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) is due 6 January 2027 at 5:00 PM Eastern for a 10-week program from 1 June to 6 August 2027, paying $650 a week. Three more programs, ASPIRE for engineers, QCIPU for quantum computing and the LBNF/DUNE internship in South Dakota, open on 2 November, 3 November and 4 December 2026 and all close on 16 January 2027. In plain words: you apply between now and mid-January 2027, you intern in summer 2027. The lab's paid Cooperative Education Program also takes finance, accounting, HR and communications majors, but no co-op requisition is posted today.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | internships.fnal.gov lists every program. SULI and CCI use the DOE portal; ASPIRE, QCIPU, LBNF/DUNE and the co-op use the Fermilab Workday board; US CMS applies through its own page. Fermilab publishes no alert list, so check the Workday board regularly. |
| Application window (2027–28) | SULI and CCI summer 2027: open now (opened 14 Oct 2026), due 6 Jan 2027, 5:00 PM ET. ASPIRE: 2 Nov 2026 to 16 Jan 2027. QCIPU: 3 Nov 2026 to 16 Jan 2027. LBNF/DUNE: 4 Dec 2026 to 16 Jan 2027. US CMS: dates to be determined. Co-op: flexible |
| Rolling? | No for SULI, CCI, ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE (fixed windows). The co-op is posted by requisition as needed |
| Eligibility | 3.0 GPA for most programs; U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for SULI, CCI and ASPIRE; QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE require eligibility to work in the U.S. |
| Duration | SULI and CCI summer: 10 weeks (1 Jun to 6 Aug 2027). ASPIRE: summers, possibly the academic year, over 15 to 18 months. QCIPU: 3 weeks. LBNF/DUNE: 17 May to 6 Aug 2027. Co-op: at least three semesters |
| Compensation | SULI and CCI $650 a week (housing not provided); ASPIRE undergraduates $23 to $25 an hour; QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE $20 an hour; US CMS $600 a week; co-op $17.75 to $25.50 an hour by class year |
| Return offers | No conversion rate published. ASPIRE says one goal is to prepare candidates for full-time work, including at Fermilab |
| Locations | Batavia, Illinois (onsite); LBNF/DUNE interns work at Sanford Lab in Lead, South Dakota; US CMS placements are at 50+ U.S. institutions |
| # Programs | 7 undergraduate routes: SULI, CCI, ASPIRE, QCIPU, LBNF/DUNE, US CMS and the Cooperative Education Program |
SULI and CCI for summer 2027 are open and close 6 January 2027; ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE open in November and December and close 16 January 2027.
Externships are short remote programs where you finish a real project for a real company, most commonly over 8 weeks at 5 to 10 hours a week. The ARCeH Data Analytics, Health Outcomes Externship gives you a data-analysis project to show next to your coursework, and the Attronica Financial Planning & Analysis Externship suits the finance and accounting co-op track. Explore all Externships.
What Is a Fermilab Internship?
A Fermilab internship is a paid research or engineering placement at America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, which has operated since 1967 and employs 2,070 people on a 6,800-acre site. Fermilab is managed by Fermi Forward Discovery Group for the Department of Energy Office of Science. Its Workforce Pathways and Partnerships Office runs the undergraduate programs, including SULI, CCI, ASPIRE, QCIPU, LBNF/DUNE and US CMS. Students work with scientists and engineers on accelerator, detector and computing projects. A paid co-op also exists for business and communications majors.
When Do Fermilab Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
Fermilab's undergraduate programs follow fixed windows. SULI runs three terms a year: Fall 2026 applications ran 12 March to 20 May 2026, Spring 2027 ran 8 July to 30 September 2026, and Summer 2027 runs 14 October 2026 to 6 January 2027. The summer 2026 SULI window ran 23 October 2025 to 7 January 2026. From the January deadline to the 1 June start is about 5 months; for ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE it's about 4 to 5 months. The three January 2027 closes are published dates, not projections.
SULI and CCI for summer 2027 are open on the DOE portal until 6 January 2027. Fermilab's Workday board lists no general undergraduate requisition today: the only student-type postings are for the separate VALOR programs, which this guide doesn't cover.
ASPIRE opens on 2 November, QCIPU on 3 November and LBNF/DUNE on 4 December, per the program pages. All three close on 16 January 2027.
SULI and CCI close on 6 January at 5:00 PM Eastern; ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE close on 16 January. Transcripts and recommendation letters are due by the close.
SULI offers run 3 February to 31 March, and ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE offers are dated 18 and 19 February. DOE adds that all SULI offers depend on funding for the DOE program.
ASPIRE and LBNF/DUNE start 17 May, SULI and CCI on 1 June, and QCIPU on 7 June. Fermilab publishes no return-offer rate.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
These are hard deadlines with fixed windows. Fermilab's pages give exact open and close dates, and the application can't be reopened once you submit it. Several programs need a transcript and recommendation letters, so request them well before 6 January. Don't plan around the offer dates: SULI offers continue until 31 March, but community accounts say spots at other labs filled early in the offer period, so apply to more than one program.
Which Fermilab Internship Programs Should You Target?
Fermilab's undergraduate routes differ in field, pay and where you work.
| Program | Focus | Duration | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| SULI (DOE-wide) | Particle physics and engineering projects with a scientist | 10 weeks summer; spring and fall terms exist | Research, presentation, abstract and peer review |
| Community College Internship (CCI) | Instrumentation, technology and computing projects | 10 weeks summer | Technical training, poster or oral talk, project report |
| ASPIRE | Accelerator engineering for junior, senior and master's students | Summers, possibly the academic year, 15 to 18 months | Engineering design, accelerator systems |
| QCIPU | Quantum computing for physics undergraduates | 3 weeks (7 to 25 Jun 2027) | Python, Qiskit, quantum mechanics basics |
| LBNF/DUNE internship (South Dakota) | Underground construction for the neutrino facility; mining and related engineering | 17 May to 6 Aug 2027 | Construction documentation, procurement support |
| Undergraduate Cooperative Education | Physics, engineering, computer science, finance, project management, HR and communications | At least three semesters | Varies by assignment |
Program pages sit on internships.fnal.gov. The US CMS Undergraduate Internship is a 10-week paid program with mentors at 50+ U.S. institutions, analyzing data from the CMS experiment at CERN; its dates aren't published yet. VALOR, graduate and high-school programs also exist but aren't covered here.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Each program sets its own rules, taken from Fermilab's pages.
• SULI: full-time undergraduate with one semester matriculated, or a degree awarded within two years; 6 STEM and 12 total credits by the deadline; 3.0 GPA; 18 or older; U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• CCI: current community college student, 6 science, math, engineering or technology credits and 12 total, 3.0 GPA, U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• ASPIRE: junior, senior or master's engineering student in a full-time four-year program, 3.0 GPA, U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE: QCIPU needs a physics, math, computer science or engineering major and a year of introductory physics. LBNF/DUNE needs sophomore or junior standing and a 3.0 GPA. Both require eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Co-op: sophomore standing, 3.0 GPA, enrollment in your school's co-op program, health insurance, and a commitment to at least three semesters or four quarters.
How Many Times Can You Apply to SULI?
Fermilab's page says you may take part in SULI twice and apply up to three times, while DOE's own SULI page says four applications. Follow the DOE page and check it before you reapply. Housing isn't provided for SULI, CCI or LBNF/DUNE, so plan lodging on your own; ASPIRE and QCIPU pay housing if you live more than 50 miles away.
What Skills Does Fermilab Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Fermilab posts program descriptions rather than job descriptions, so the skills come from what each program says it teaches. Python and Qiskit for QCIPU, instrumentation and computing for CCI, accelerator engineering for ASPIRE, underground construction and procurement for LBNF/DUNE, and data science for US CMS. The co-op adds finance, accounting, project management and communications. Every research program ends with a presentation or report.
Note: Note: Fermilab has no undergraduate job descriptions open on its Workday board on 16 October 2026, and its program pages describe training rather than hiring requirements, so a skill-frequency chart would be built on too little text to count honestly.
How Is Demand for Research Interns Moving Right Now?
Research intern postings · Sep vs Aug 2026
vs 1,651 in August
For Fermilab applicants: Research intern hiring picked up sharply in September; apply within the first week a role posts, while the most seats are open.
Daily US job-posting counts, Sep 1–30 vs Aug 1–31, 2026. Covers under half of US postings; shows direction, not market size.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
Each row links a skill from a Fermilab program page to a remote Externship that gives you a project to describe.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Data analysis | US CMS: "computational tools and data-science methods" | ARCeH Data Analytics, Health Outcomes Externship |
| AI and data extraction | QCIPU: hands-on Python programming; CCI: computing projects | Pfizer Advanced AI-Powered Document Insights Externship |
| Finance and accounting | Co-op: finance and accounting majors encouraged to apply | Attronica Financial Planning & Analysis Externship |
| IT and security operations | Co-op: computer science and environment, safety and health fields | vCISO Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Externship |
None of these Externships is connected to Fermilab. They give you a finished project to describe, which matters most for the co-op, where you propose your own work schedule.
What Is the Fermilab Application and Interview Process Like?
SULI and CCI use the DOE portal; the other programs use Fermilab's Workday.
1. Pick your programs. Match your major and year to the eligibility rules, then note the open and close dates.
2. Prepare the file. SULI and CCI need an unofficial transcript and two recommendation letters. ASPIRE adds an official transcript and a personal statement. QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE need a resume, transcript and a short statement.
3. Submit by the close. Once you submit, you can't upload missing items, so have every requirement ready first.
4. Offers. SULI offers run 3 February to 31 March 2027; ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE offers are dated 18 and 19 February.
For the co-op, upload a proposed co-op schedule with your application.
What Students on Reddit Say
Fermilab has little student discussion on Reddit, and most of it is brief.
A commenter who did SULI at Fermilab in summer 2026 said plenty of astronomy-focused interns were there, and called the program very competitive, so don't put all your applications in one basket.
A Fermilab group member posted two beam-instrumentation software co-ops in January 2026, aimed at computer science students finishing their second year who could stay about four semesters.
A SULI alum from another lab told a Fermilab offer-holder that the internship helps with grad school applications, and suggested housing groups and carpooling. Treat housing details cautiously, since Fermilab's page says housing isn't provided.
How Do You Stand Out for a Fermilab Internship?
First, apply to more than one program: SULI and CCI, then ASPIRE, QCIPU or LBNF/DUNE if your major fits. Second, match your essay to the lab's work, which is accelerators, detectors and computing, and say what you built or analyzed. Third, if you study business, look at the co-op, which names finance, accounting, project management, HR and communications. Fermilab doesn't publish class size, acceptance rate or conversion rate, and the co-op needs a three-semester commitment.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
Students targeting Fermilab often also look at other national laboratories and science agencies.
- Argonne National Laboratorynearby Illinois lab with its own Seasonal Internship Program plus SULICareers site
- Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryDOE Office of Science lab on the same SULI calendarGuide →
- Idaho National Laboratorynuclear and clean energy research labGuide →
- National Laboratory of the Rockiesrenewable energy lab formerly known as NRELGuide →
- NASAfederal science agency with spring, summer and fall sessionsGuide →
For more federal options and USAJOBS timing, see our government internships summer 2027 guide.
FAQ
Can I still apply for a summer 2026 Fermilab internship?
No. The summer 2026 SULI window closed on 7 January 2026. Open now: SULI and CCI for summer 2027, due 6 January 2027. ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE open on 2 November, 3 November and 4 December 2026, and all close 16 January 2027.
When is the Fermilab summer 2027 internship deadline?
SULI and CCI are due 6 January 2027 at 5:00 PM Eastern, for a program running 1 June to 6 August 2027. ASPIRE, QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE close 16 January 2027. The US CMS internship dates are listed as to be determined, so check its page.
How much does a Fermilab intern earn?
SULI and CCI pay $650 a week. ASPIRE pays undergraduates $23 an hour for juniors and $25 for seniors. QCIPU and LBNF/DUNE pay $20 an hour, US CMS pays $600 a week, and the co-op pays $17.75 to $25.50 an hour by class year.
Does Fermilab provide housing?
Not for SULI, CCI or LBNF/DUNE: the official pages say housing isn't provided and link local information. ASPIRE and QCIPU pay airfare, housing and ground transportation if your address is more than 50 miles away. US CMS says housing and travel are provided by the program.
Can business or finance students intern at Fermilab?
Yes, through the Undergraduate Cooperative Education Program, which names finance and accounting, project management, human resources and communications. It requires sophomore standing, a 3.0 GPA and at least three semesters. No co-op requisition was posted on Fermilab's Workday board on 16 October 2026.
Who is eligible for SULI?
Full-time undergraduates, or graduates within two years of the program start, with a 3.0 GPA, 18 or older, who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. You need 6 STEM credits and 12 total credits by the deadline. Lawful permanent residents should contact the lab, since site access approval can delay a start.
Is a Fermilab internship remote?
SULI and CCI are onsite at Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois. LBNF/DUNE interns work at Sanford Lab in Lead, South Dakota. The US CMS program places students at 50+ U.S. institutions and says students should be able to work onsite, with remote work only in special circumstances.
Do Fermilab internships lead to jobs?
Fermilab publishes no conversion rate. ASPIRE says a primary goal is to develop candidates for full-time work in accelerator fields, including at Fermilab, and QCIPU mentions a possible paid year-long internship. All SULI offers are also contingent on funding for the DOE program.
SULI and CCI close on 6 January 2027 and the other programs follow on 16 January. Line up your transcript and recommenders now, and if you want a finished project to point to, a remote Externship fits around classes at 5 to 10 hours a week.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
