The NITRD STEM Portal brings together programs connected with agencies including the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, NASA, National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Department of Agriculture and others.
The portal is designed to help learners find opportunities ranging from high school programs and undergraduate research to postgraduate fellowships, recent-graduate opportunities, postdoctoral programs and independent research experiences.
U.S. Federal STEM Opportunities 2026–2027 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Portal | NITRD STEM Portal |
| Total Listings Shown | 195 |
| Opportunity Types | Internships, Fellowships, Scholarships, Apprenticeships, Grants, Research, Training and more |
| Agencies Represented | NASA, DOE, DOD, NSF, NSA, DHS, State Department, USDA and others |
| Education Levels | K-12 through Postdoctoral and Researcher |
| High School Opportunities | Yes |
| Undergraduate Opportunities | Yes |
| Graduate Opportunities | Yes |
| Recent Graduate Opportunities | Yes |
| Postdoctoral Opportunities | Yes |
| Fellowships | Yes |
| Apprenticeships | Yes |
| Scholarships | Yes |
| Grants/Funding | Yes |
| Research Experience | Yes |
| Professional Development | Yes |
| Universal Stipend | No |
| Universal Citizenship Rule | No |
| Universal Deadline | No |
| Universal Application Process | No |
What Is the NITRD STEM Portal?
The NITRD STEM Portal is a federal resource that aggregates government-sponsored STEM programs and workforce-development opportunities.
The portal explains that federal STEM programs can allow participants to do things such as:
- Contribute to NASA missions
- Explore intelligence-related work
- Support infrastructure resilience
- Participate in scientific research
- Develop technical and engineering skills
Opportunities Feed Insight
The biggest value of the portal is breadth.
Instead of searching one agency at a time, learners can explore opportunities across multiple parts of the U.S. federal government.
How Many Opportunities Are Listed?
The portal currently shows:
195 entries.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
This should not be interpreted as:
195 internships only.
The 195 entries span many categories, including:
- Fellowships
- Apprenticeships
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Research experiences
- Training programs
- Awards
- Professional development
- Competitions
Which Federal Agencies Are Included?
The portal includes opportunities from organizations such as:
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Education
- Department of Energy
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Justice
- Department of State
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of the Interior
- Environmental Protection Agency
- NASA
- National Reconnaissance Office
- National Science Foundation
- National Security Agency
- Office of Personnel Management
Opportunities Feed Insight
This makes the database useful for candidates whose STEM interests extend beyond laboratories.
Depending on the program, opportunities may involve:
science + engineering + cybersecurity + intelligence + policy + healthcare + energy + agriculture + infrastructure + space.
What Types of Opportunities Are Available?
The portal includes a wide range of program types.
Examples include:
- Apprenticeships
- Awards
- Career education
- Competitions
- Fellowships
- Grants
- Internships
- Professional development
- Research experiences
- Research opportunities
- Scholarships
- Science fairs
- Summer programs
- Traineeships
- Training programs
- Webinars
- Workforce-development programs
- Workshops
Who Can Use the Portal?
Eligibility categories span a very broad range.
The portal includes filters for:
- Middle school
- High school
- Grades 5–12
- Grades 8–12
- Community college
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Post-baccalaureate
- Postgraduate
- Recent graduates
- PhD candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Researchers
- Teachers
- Trade-school learners
Opportunities Feed Insight
This is one of the strongest features of the portal because it is not limited to college seniors or recent graduates.
A learner can potentially use it across multiple stages of their education and career.
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship
One listed postgraduate opportunity is the:
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Program
connected with the U.S. Department of State.
The fellowship is designed to:
- Support professional development
- Promote public service
- Bring scientific knowledge into federal policymaking
- Help scientists and engineers understand federal policy implementation
- Build leadership in science and technology
Program type:
Fellowship
Education level:
Postgraduate.
Who Might Consider the AAAS Fellowship?
The program may be especially relevant to:
- Scientists
- Engineers
- Researchers
- Postgraduate professionals
- Candidates interested in science policy
- Candidates interested in federal government
Opportunities Feed Insight
This is a good example of a STEM career pathway that is not strictly laboratory-based.
Scientific expertise can also be used in:
policy + analysis + government decision-making.
NIH Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases Program
The portal also lists a program connected with the:
Department of Health and Human Services
and:
National Institutes of Health.
The Accelerating Medicines Partnership Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases program supports a Leadership Scholars Program focused on women’s health studies in autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases.
Program type:
Grants-Funding
Education level:
Various.
NSF Advanced Technological Education Program
Another listing is the:
Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program from the National Science Foundation.
The program focuses on two-year institutions of higher education and supports the preparation of technicians for high-technology fields.
It can support:
- Curriculum development
- Faculty professional development
- Teacher professional development
- Career pathways
- Applied research
- Technician education
Program type:
Award
Eligibility:
Undergraduate; Educational Partners.
Opportunities for Community College Students
The portal includes programs that explicitly include:
Community College
as an eligibility category.
One example is the Army’s College Qualified Leaders program, which accepts community-college, undergraduate and graduate participants.
Opportunities Feed Insight
Students at two-year colleges should not assume federal STEM opportunities are limited to four-year university students.
Army College Qualified Leaders Program
The AEOP College Qualified Leaders (CQL) program matches college students with practicing Department of Defense scientists.
Participants gain:
- Direct mentorship
- Research experience
- Exposure to DoD laboratories
- Technical training
Selected participants receive a stipend based on:
- Education
- Experience
and may participate during the year or summer.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
The page does not state one universal stipend amount for CQL.
How Long Is the CQL Program?
The program is primarily designed for:
work-study internships longer than six months
and can also be available:
year-round or during the summer.
Who Can Apply for CQL?
Eligibility includes:
- Community college students
- Undergraduates
- Graduate students
Army eCYBERMISSION
The portal also lists:
AEOP – eCYBERMISSION
an Army-sponsored web-based STEM competition.
Students form teams of:
3–4 people
and develop solutions to real problems within their communities.
Eligibility:
K–12
Program type:
Challenge.
Opportunities Feed Insight
This can be particularly useful for younger students interested in:
- STEM competitions
- Cyber-related learning
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Community innovation
Army GEMS Summer STEM Program
Another K–12 opportunity is:
Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS).
It is a summer STEM enrichment program held at Army laboratories for middle and high school students.
The program emphasizes:
hands-on STEM activities.
High School Apprenticeship Program
One of the most notable paid high-school opportunities is the:
AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP).
The program gives high school juniors and seniors authentic science and engineering research experience alongside university researchers supported by the Army.
How Much Does the High School Apprenticeship Pay?
The program provides an educational stipend equivalent to:
$10 per hour
for up to:
300 total hours.
Opportunities Feed Insight
That means a participant working the full 300 hours at the stated equivalent rate could receive up to about:
$3,000
in educational stipend value.
What Do HSAP Students Do?
Participants:
- Work alongside university researchers
- Learn research methods
- Use advanced research equipment
- Participate in active research groups
- Contribute to Army-sponsored research
Research & Engineering Apprenticeship Program
The portal also lists the:
Research & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP).
This summer program places high school students in research apprenticeships at colleges and universities.
Participants work under a mentor on a hands-on research project.
How Long Is REAP?
REAP apprenticeships last:
5–8 weeks
with a minimum of:
200 hours.
Apprentices receive a stipend.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
The supplied page does not state one universal stipend amount for REAP.
Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program
The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) gives undergraduates hands-on science and engineering research experience alongside Army-supported university researchers.
Students can:
- Conduct research
- Learn research methods
- Use advanced equipment
- Join active research groups
Eligibility includes:
- Community college students
- Undergraduates
USDA Agriculture and Food Research Opportunities
The portal also lists the:
AFRI Education & Community Development Programs
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
The program focuses on developing future professionals in:
- Food sciences
- Agricultural sciences
- Research
- Education
- Extension
Program type:
Grants-Funding
Eligibility:
Various.
Are NASA Opportunities Included?
Yes.
NASA is listed among the federal agencies available in the portal’s agency filters.
The portal itself also specifically highlights opportunities to contribute to a real NASA mission.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
The visible first page in the supplied material does not show a specific NASA listing.
Applicants should filter the larger 195-entry database for NASA programs.
Are NSA Opportunities Included?
Yes.
The National Security Agency is included in the agency filter.
Opportunities Feed Insight
This means students interested in fields such as:
- Cybersecurity
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- Data
- Intelligence
may want to search the portal specifically for NSA programs.
Are Department of Energy Opportunities Included?
Yes.
The Department of Energy is included among the participating agencies.
Potential DOE opportunities may be relevant to students interested in:
- Energy
- Physics
- Engineering
- Computing
- Climate
- National laboratories
depending on specific listings.
Are Department of Defense Opportunities Included?
Yes.
Several Army programs are visible directly in the supplied first page, including:
- College Qualified Leaders
- eCYBERMISSION
- GEMS
- HSAP
- REAP
- URAP
Are These Programs Paid?
Some are.
The supplied portal includes examples where stipends are explicitly mentioned.
For example:
- CQL participants may receive a stipend based on education and experience.
- HSAP offers an educational stipend equivalent to $10 per hour for up to 300 hours.
- REAP apprentices receive a stipend.
Opportunities Feed Warning
Do not describe all 195 programs as:
“paid internships.”
The portal contains many different program types and funding arrangements.
Are All Programs Internships?
No.
The catalog includes:
- Fellowships
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Apprenticeships
- Awards
- Challenges
- Research experiences
- Professional development
- Training
Are Scholarships Available?
Yes.
Scholarship and Scholarship for Service are listed among the portal’s program categories.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
The supplied first page does not provide details for one specific scholarship.
Applicants should filter the full database by scholarship type.
Are Fellowships Available?
Yes.
Fellowship is one of the listed categories, and the visible page includes the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship.
Are Grants Available?
Yes.
Grants-Funding is a dedicated program category.
Visible examples include:
- NIH-linked autoimmune research funding
- USDA AFRI Education & Community Development Programs
Can Recent Graduates Find Opportunities?
Yes.
Recent graduates is explicitly included among the portal’s eligibility filters.
Are Postdocs Included?
Yes.
Postdoctoral opportunities are explicitly included in the portal’s education-level filters.
The portal also says opportunities range from postdocs to independent research fellowships and high-school programs.
Are International Students Eligible?
The portal does not provide one universal international-eligibility rule.
Opportunities Feed Warning
Federal U.S. programs can have strict:
- Citizenship requirements
- Nationality restrictions
- Residency rules
- Security-clearance requirements
These vary by opportunity.
Do not assume a listing is globally open just because it appears online.
Is U.S. Citizenship Required?
There is no universal rule stated for all 195 programs.
Applicants must read each program’s specific eligibility terms.
Opportunities Feed Advice
This should be one of the first things international applicants check before preparing a lengthy application.
Do These Programs Sponsor Visas?
The supplied portal does not state a universal visa-sponsorship policy.
Do not assume visa sponsorship.
Are There Remote Opportunities?
The portal includes a Digital Learning category and other flexible learning formats, but the supplied material does not establish a universal remote-work option.
Check individual opportunities.
Are There Deadlines?
Yes, individual programs may have deadlines, but the portal does not provide one universal closing date.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
Do not publish:
“Applications close on [one date]”
for the entire database.
Each federal agency and program can operate on its own schedule.
How to Find the Best Opportunities
A strong search strategy is to filter by both:
education level + agency
or:
education level + program type.
For example:
Undergraduate + NASA
Graduate + DOE
Recent Graduates + Fellowship
High School + Apprenticeship
Postgraduate + Department of State
Best Search Strategy for Cybersecurity Students
Students interested in cybersecurity may want to search programs from:
- NSA
- Department of Defense
- Department of Homeland Security
- National Reconnaissance Office
depending on current listings.
Opportunities Feed Insight
Government cybersecurity programs can be especially attractive because they can expose students to large-scale national-security and infrastructure challenges.
Best Search Strategy for Engineering Students
Engineering students should consider filtering for:
- Department of Defense
- Department of Energy
- NASA
- NSF
- Department of Transportation
and programs categorized as:
- Internship
- Apprenticeship
- Research Experience
- Fellowship
- Training
Best Search Strategy for Science Students
Science students can explore:
- NIH
- DOE
- NASA
- NSF
- USDA
- EPA
depending on their discipline.
Best Search Strategy for High School Students
The supplied page shows several Army programs specifically for K–12 students:
- eCYBERMISSION
- GEMS
- HSAP
- REAP
Opportunities Feed Insight
This makes the federal portal especially useful for high school learners who want research exposure before entering university.
Best Search Strategy for Undergraduate Students
Undergraduates can explore programs such as:
- College Qualified Leaders
- Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program
- NSF-linked technical education opportunities
Best Search Strategy for Graduate Students
Graduate students are eligible for some programs including the College Qualified Leaders program.
They can also filter the broader database by:
Graduate
or:
Postgraduate.
How to Prepare a Strong Federal STEM Application
Candidates should tailor their materials to the exact agency and program.
Useful information may include:
- Relevant coursework
- Technical skills
- Laboratory experience
- Coding skills
- Research experience
- Academic projects
- Leadership
- STEM competitions
- Publications
- Presentations
- Career goals
Opportunities Feed Advice
A student applying to NASA should not submit exactly the same application narrative as someone applying to an Army research apprenticeship or science-policy fellowship.
Documents You May Need
The portal does not provide one universal documentation checklist.
Requirements may vary by program and could involve items such as:
- Résumé or CV
- Transcript
- Recommendations
- Essays
- Research statement
- Proof of enrollment
- Proof of citizenship
Applicants should follow the exact instructions on the individual opportunity page.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Calling all 195 opportunities internships
- Calling every opportunity paid
- Assuming all programs are open internationally
- Ignoring citizenship restrictions
- Assuming all programs are university-level
- Ignoring opportunities for high-school students
- Using the same résumé everywhere
- Waiting for one universal application deadline
- Assuming every program is remote
- Confusing grants with individual internships
- Treating scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships as the same thing
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal STEM opportunities are listed?
The portal currently shows 195 entries.
Are all 195 opportunities internships?
No. They include internships, fellowships, scholarships, grants, apprenticeships, research experiences, training and more.
Does the portal include NASA?
Yes. NASA is included in the federal-agency list.
Does it include the NSA?
Yes. The National Security Agency is listed.
Does it include the Department of Energy?
Yes.
Does it include the Department of Defense?
Yes, and several Army opportunities are visible in the supplied listings.
Are there high-school opportunities?
Yes. Examples include GEMS, HSAP, REAP and eCYBERMISSION.
Are there undergraduate opportunities?
Yes.
Are there graduate opportunities?
Yes.
Are recent graduates eligible for some programs?
Yes. Recent graduates are one of the listed eligibility categories.
Are postdoctoral programs available?
Yes. Postdoctoral is one of the eligibility categories.
Are fellowships available?
Yes.
Are scholarships available?
Yes.
Are there paid opportunities?
Some programs provide stipends, but not every listing has the same compensation structure.
How much does HSAP pay?
It provides an educational stipend equivalent to $10 per hour, with up to 300 hours.
Does REAP pay a stipend?
Yes. The supplied listing says REAP apprentices receive a stipend.
Does CQL provide a stipend?
Selected CQL participants receive a stipend based on education and experience.
Are international applicants eligible?
Eligibility varies by program. No universal international eligibility rule is provided.
Is U.S. citizenship required?
Requirements vary by opportunity.
Is there one application deadline?
No. Programs operate on different schedules.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
The NITRD federal STEM portal is one of the broader resources to watch if you are searching for U.S. government-supported opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The database currently shows 195 entries spanning multiple categories and education levels.
Participating agencies include major names such as:
NASA + Department of Energy + Department of Defense + National Science Foundation + National Security Agency + Department of Homeland Security + Department of State + USDA.
The portal covers learners from:
K–12 → community college → undergraduate → graduate → recent graduate → postgraduate → PhD → postdoctoral → researcher.
Current visible examples include the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, NSF Advanced Technological Education program, Army College Qualified Leaders program, HSAP, REAP, URAP and USDA AFRI Education & Community Development Programs.
Some opportunities provide financial support. For example, HSAP offers an educational stipend equivalent to $10 per hour for up to 300 hours, while CQL and REAP also reference stipends.
However, applicants should not assume that all 195 listings are:
- Paid
- Internships
- Open internationally
- Remote
- Available under the same deadline
- Subject to the same citizenship requirements
The strongest strategy is:
choose your education level → filter by agency → filter by opportunity type → verify citizenship and eligibility → tailor your application to the specific federal program → submit before its individual deadline.
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