ARMY HBCU-MI Student Program for Army Research and Knowledge

The Army Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU-MI) Student Program for Army Research and Knowledge (SPARK) is a vital undergraduate and graduate internship program for full-time students in HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions. This innovative program provides a unique opportunity for U.S. graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to immerse themselves in hands-on research experiences at various Army facilities. Through this initiative, students can work under the expert guidance of seasoned government scientists and engineers, actively participating in research projects directly aligned with Army missions. The summer of 2025 will see interns engaging in various research activities, including but not limited to data analysis, systems modeling, and other critical research tasks that contribute to the overarching objectives of the Army. The focus of this program is on students who are pursuing academic disciplines that are essential to the Army’s strategic initiatives and national security priorities. For a comprehensive understanding of the fields of study relevant to this program, please refer to the detailed list of STEM academic and Army-relevant disciplines provided below.

The Army HBCU-MI SPARK program offers a robust 10-week summer research internship opportunity at Army research facilities located throughout the United States. For students enrolled in colleges or universities that operate on a semester system, the internship period is scheduled from June 2, 2025, to August 8, 2025. Conversely, for those attending institutions that follow a quarter system, the internship will run from June 23, 2025, to August 29, 2025. During this immersive experience, accepted interns will be paired with a dedicated mentor at an Army research facility, allowing for personalized guidance and support throughout the program. The internship is designed to provide valuable research experience and offer financial support; accepted interns will receive stipends to help cover living expenses, housing accommodations, and, in some cases, travel funds to facilitate their participation in the program STEM Academic Disciplines or Army Relevant Discipline.

The SPARK internship program strategically focuses on attracting students pursuing academic disciplines deemed critical to the Department of the Army's national security priorities. The following is a comprehensive list of approved STEM disciplines eligible for consideration within this program. It is important to note that these disciplines serve as broad categories; specific applicant majors or fields of study may indeed fall under one or more of the disciplines listed here, reflecting the diverse range of educational backgrounds welcomed in this program.

• Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

• Biomedical Engineering

• Biosciences

• Chemical Engineering

• Chemistry

• Civil Engineering

• Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences

• Computer Science and Engineering

• Cybersecurity

• Data Science and Analytics

• Electrical Engineering

• Environmental Sciences

• Geosciences

• Industrial and Systems Engineering

• Information Sciences

• Materials Science and Engineering

• Mathematics

• Mechanical Engineering

• Physics

• Software Engineering
  

It is crucial to emphasize that this internship program specifically targets technical degrees; therefore, non-technical degrees, including those in management, are not eligible for approval or funding under this Army Internship initiative. This focus ensures that the program remains aligned with the Army's commitment to fostering a highly skilled workforce equipped to address the complex challenges facing national security today and in the future.