Below are answers to frequently asked questions for our internship programs. For more information on specific programs, follow the links below:
Q: My school doesn’t end in time for the start date. Can I start late?
A: We have a “late start” date for participants who can’t start on the first day for academic reasons. This later date is only for participants whose school’s term ends later than the beginning of the program.
Q: Can I apply for both CCI and SULI?
A: No.
Q: Can I repeat as a CCI participant?
A: Yes. Applicants are limited in participation in the CCI program to no more than two internships.
Q: Can I participate if I am graduating in May/June of the current year?
A: (BLUFF, BLUR, and SULI) Yes, a limited number of placements can be made to graduating seniors. You are eligible to apply to the internship up to one year after graduating from an undergraduate institution. Be sure to complete the section for graduating seniors on the SULI application.
A: (VFP) No, VFP teams are designed to have an impact on their home campuses once the summer has ended.
Q: Can students participate in SULI or VFP more than once?
A: Undergraduate applicants are limited in participation in the SULI and VFP programs to no more than two internships. Graduate students may participate in two VFP internships.
Q: Can I take classes while participating in a program?
A: No, Workforce Development & Education (WD&E) interns are not allowed to take classes while participating in the program.
Q: I don’t have health insurance. Can I participate if I get health insurance by the start of the program?
A: Yes. You must have current health insurance coverage while participating in the program.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: For those who are getting their support from Berkeley Lab, please refer to your confirmation letter.
B: For those receiving external funding, please contact the Program Manager at your home institution.
Q: Can I get my housing supplement in advance of my arrival so I can put a deposit on my housing?
A: No.
Q: Can I get direct deposit?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: The Lab is a fairly casual atmosphere; often jeans are the norm. Lab geography dictates that you wear comfortable shoes (it’s a bit hilly). If you are working in a lab you will, of course, dress appropriately: long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc. You can contact your mentor for suggestions specific to your work site. There is one public event (a poster session) for which you may wish to wear business attire.
Q: Do I have to pay taxes on the educational stipend I receive while participating in a WD&E internship?
A: Berkeley Lab does not issue W2 or 1099 forms for WD&E participants and is not allowed to give tax advice. Please consult a tax professional.
Q: I am a Permanent Resident of the United States. Am I required to provide documentation?
A: Yes. If accepted into the program, you will be required to provide a copy of your Permanent Resident status during badging.
Q: I will turn 18 one week after the program starts. Am I eligible to participate?
A: No. Participants must be 18 years of age by the start of the program.
Q: Can I miss a couple of days during the program for vacation?
A: No. Participants are required to attend the entire program and not take any time off.
Q: Am I allowed to drive and park onsite?
A: No. Parking permits will not be issued to participants. On the first day of the program, you will have access to the Lab’s shuttle service. Visit the Lab’s shuttle bus page for more information.
Q: How do I acknowledge DOE and the program in presentations and publications (applicable to BLUFF, BLUR, CCI, GEM, MLEF, SULI, and VFP)?
A: When acknowledging WDTS support, please use the following statement: “This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) under the [insert program name and abbreviation] program.”
For example, for CCI that would be a follows: “This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) under the Community College Internship (CCI) program.”
Q. I need a letter of recommendation. Can WD&E staff write one for me?
A. It is WD&E policy that letters of recommendation are to be written by the mentor or associate mentor, not WD&E staff.
