Undergraduate Program
A Unique University Research and Education Center for HEDP, Fusion, and High-Power Lasers
The LLE Undergraduate Education Program enables students to engage in mission-critical science and engineering.
The unique research, workforce, and career-building opportunities that LLE offers undergraduates are well-suited to provide training, while helping to fill the critical future workforce needs of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at all levels, including operators, technicians, and scientists. Undergraduate students pursuing degree programs in related science and engineering fields (at US colleges and universities) are welcome to apply.
For Fall Research Experiences – Deadline to Apply: June 30 – Application is now closed.
For Spring Research Experiences – Deadline to Apply: October 31
For Summer Research Experiences – Deadline to Apply: February 15 – Application is now closed.
Apply Here
for Spring 2027
To qualify, you must be enrolled at an accredited US college or university.
For those interested in pursuing a future connection to LLE through admission to Arts, Science, and Engineering degree programs at the University of Rochester, please visit University of Rochester’s Undergraduate Admissions.
An internship enables a student to be mentored and develop skills while producing a deliverable that benefits the institution. In an internship position, students are hired as employees of LLE and work full time for one or two terms. Internship positions are open only to students who attend institutions for which internship positions are required for their degree completion. Postings for internship positions can be found at Careers – Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
A research experience also enables a student to be mentored and develop skills while contributing to the research mission of the institution. The emphasis in a research experience is on the educational benefit of the experience to the student. While undergraduates participating in a research experience at LLE are enrolled in a non-credit LLE research course, the research experience does not fulfill any graduation requirements. Students participating in a research experience at LLE receive stipends but are not hired as employees.
The LLE Undergraduate Education Program offers undergraduates the unique opportunity to participate in a full-time mentored research experience over the summer term. To apply for an undergraduate research experience, please use the application link above.
- An individual research project
- Mentorship from full-time research scientists and engineers
- An opportunity to connect with peers with similar research interests
- Professional learning opportunities focused on the latest scientific advancements in fusion, high-energy-density science, laser technologies, and fundamental plasma physics
- Professional learning opportunities focused on career education and graduate school preparation
- Community building events with LLE staff, graduate students, fellow undergraduates, and high school students
- Opportunities to understand the national scientific and engineering ecosystem for potential long-term employment
- The opportunity to showcase your research project through a culminating conference-style poster session
- The opportunity to develop your identity as a researcher and collaborator
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited US college or university and have completed relevant coursework in physics, optics, chemistry, engineering disciplines, mathematics, or computer science.
Applicants should also have a strong interest in fusion, high-energy-density science, laser technologies, and/or fundamental plasma physics.
All non-US citizens must be cleared for participation by the US Department of Energy.
Applicants must also commit to participating full time for the duration of the program.
Apply online! The link to the application can be found at Undergraduate Program – Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
The application period opens November 1, 2026 and closes on February 15, 2027.
The application requires the upload of the following documents in PDF format:
- Current CV or résumé
- Most recent unofficial transcript with grades
The application also requires you to explain briefly why you are interested in a research experience at LLE. In addition to explaining your motivation for applying to the program, you may wish to include information about relevant coursework, research, or experiences you have had; what special skills or perspectives you could contribute to a research experience; what you hope to gain from the experience; and/or any additional information you would like us to be aware of as we consider your application.
Accepted applicants will be notified by the beginning of April 2027.
The program follows the University of Rochester’s summer term. In 2027, the 11-week program will run from May 17 to July 30.
Yes, accepted students will receive a $7500 research stipend.
Yes, accepted students are offered free on-campus housing.
Yes, non-University of Rochester students who do not live in the Rochester area may request a travel reimbursement of up to $1000 for travel to Rochester, NY, and a travel reimbursement of up to $1000 for their departure from Rochester, NY, at the end of the program.