How to Apply

Application is now open for the Summer 2025 Term. Applications are due January 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET.
Access to the online application system is available here.

Application Resources: Assistance Workshops, Office Hours Events, and Video Guides

Upcoming Workshops and Office Hours for the Summer 2025 Term:

  • Application Assistance Workshop - October 29, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT: Need some support completing your application?  Join us to learn strategies to submit a compliant and competitive application for the Summer 2025 term and learn about the program requirements. Also, there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. 
    Click to view presentation.

  • Alumni Panel Workshop - December 3, 2024 @ 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST: Want to learn about the internship experience at host laboratory? Join us to hear real stories from SULI and CCI alumni about their internship experience at the national labs and get answers to your questions from the voices of past interns.
    Register here.

Office Hours Events

Office Hours - December 11 and 18, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT: Got questions? CCI applicants and letter of recommendation writers are invited to attend office hours to answer administrative questions such as those pertaining to uploading transcripts, submitting letters of recommendation, and general inquiries.
Connect to virtual office hours here.

Application Check List and Video Guides:

Application Requirements

All applications to the CCI program must be completed through the online application system.

The CCI Program Application Requirements Include:

Required Fields of the Online Application System

Completion of all required fields in the applications, including:

  • Contact and Education Information
  • Citizenship Status
  • Laboratory/facility choice and research interests
  • Essays

Applicants should create an account on the CCI online application system well before the application deadline and become familiar with the application information requested.

  • The online application system will guide applicants through the application requirements.
  • Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered for the CCI Program will be advanced for merit review and selection.
  • For additional information on the selection process, please review Application Selection Process and Notification.

***For guidance towards the completion of your application please review Video Guides, Application Workshops and Pass Work Recordings, and Attend Office Hours.

Undergraduate Transcripts (Submitted Online)

Transcripts for the CCI program are submitted through the online

Submitted transcripts must have all Social Security numbers and/or full date of birth including month, day, and year removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. Any applications found to contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in the form of Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth will be deemed non-compliant and will not be released to host laboratories or facilities for review or consideration.

Official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Submitted transcripts must contain the following:

  • Applicant's name
  • Name of the university/college,
  • All courses including grades, and
  • Cumulative GPA

*** Degree audits and transcripts that specifically state they are advising reports are unacceptable. 

Please review the following eligibility requirements for submitted transcripts:

  • Eligibility requires submission of the transcript from an applicant's current or recently-graduated undergraduate institution. This must be the most recent transcript available at the time of application. Recent is defined as the transcript printed or accessed no earlier than the opening date of the application.
  • Eligibility also requires that the applicant submit undergraduate transcripts from all other undergraduate academic institutions attended as a matriculated postsecondary student during the 5 years preceding the start of the current enrollment. This includes transcripts for transfer credits earned from previously attended colleges/universities.

Uploading Transcripts:

  • Transcripts must be uploaded as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files into the application system. Uploaded transcripts must meet the following requirements:
    • must be clearly legible (ensure that your transcript is not blurry or faded)
    • must be labeled with your name and the name of the university/college,
    • and must clearly show all courses, all course grades, and a cumulative GPA.
  • The application system provides an easy-to-use upload feature. The upload feature does provide a redaction tool to assist in redacting your PII from your transcript. It is your responsibility to ensure that your PII is redacted or removed from your transcript.
    • Do not mail or email transcripts directly to DOE - they will not be considered.

Acceptable Transcripts:

  • Acceptable transcripts may either be:
    •  (i) a hard-copy transcript issued to you suitably scanned and saved for uploading as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file,
    • and/or (ii) an unofficial transcript provided electronically to you directly from your university/college either via a website or email suitably saved for uploading as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file. 
    • Screenshots of transcripts are not allowed.

Two Letters of Support

Recommendations for the CCI Program are submitted online by recommenders.

Recommendations can be requested before your application is submitted. From your CCI account, you can navigate to the tab titled “Request Recommendations” to begin listing your recommenders for your application recommendations. Once your recommenders are listed, the requests can be sent immediately.

  • Applicants are encouraged to make the requests for recommendations as soon as possible. It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform their recommenders that they must submit their recommendation using the online system by the application deadline. Additionally, it is suggested that the applicant discuss this request in advance with potential recommenders, and allow adequate time for the recommender to act on this request.
  • Based upon recommender contact information entered as part of the application process, the application system automatically sends an email message to recommenders with information on how to access and submit their recommendation. Requests for recommendations can be made by using the “Final Submit” action in the recommendation request section.

Recommendation Requirements:

Eligibility for the CCI program requires the following for recommendations:

  • Applicants must have two recommendations submitted in support of their application.
  • Applicants may solicit a minimum of two, but up to three, recommendation requests from individuals familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the CCI Program. The first two recommendations that are completed in the system will be the only ones included with your application.
  • Recommendations from individuals familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the CCI Program are suggested. These letters should come from individuals who are in a capacity to objectively judge the applicant's performance such as STEM course instructors, internship mentors/supervisors, and research advisors.
  • Recommendations are not allowed from family members, friends, or friends of family members.
  • WDTS will not accept any mailed or emailed recommendations.