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Army Educational Outreach Program InternshipsAEOP

AEOP Internships, funded by the US Army, place high school students in Army research laboratories or partner university labs for paid research. AEOP says the high school acceptance rate can be under 15%; the former apprenticeships are now called internships and are open only to US citizens and permanent residents.

Citizens or green-card holders
Stipend

Plan your summer program applications Official website ↗

Size and selectivityHS rate can be under 15%

Photo: ThisIsEngineering / Pexels

Eligibility: Citizens or green-card holders
Cost: Stipend
Latest deadline: TBA

AEOP at a Glance

Host: Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), administered by the K-12 University Center at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT); positions are at Army research laboratories and partner university labs
Field: Army-funded research in many fields; the website cites cybersecurity, energetics, biology and materials science
Grades and age: Applicants must be enrolled in high school when they apply (8th graders are not eligible), or within 60 months of receiving a high school diploma and not yet enrolled in an undergraduate program. All participants must be at least 14, and some sites have additional age requirements or prerequisites.
Citizenship and residency: US citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants need not be residents of the state where the lab is located, but must live within commuting distance, for example by staying with family or friends for the summer.
Cost: No application fee and no cost to participate; all interns receive an educational stipend that varies by location, duration, education level and field, with details in the award letter. Housing, transportation and meals are not provided.
Dates and format: Commuter positions; most summer opportunities are full time (40 hours a week) for six to ten weeks between May and August, with some part-time school-year or virtual options. Interns submit a research abstract, published in the online AEOP Research Journal, and high school interns are encouraged to submit their research to the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS).
Application dates: Applications are always open, but deadlines vary by position and some positions review on a rolling basis; one application can be used for multiple positions, and applicants must reapply each year. Each lab makes its own decisions on its own timeline.
Application materials: All positions require a resume and a transcript (unofficial is accepted). The FAQ also lists a short personal statement and a list of STEM classes taken, while the application process page says the personal statement is required only for some positions. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign a consent form online. Interviews are at the lab's discretion.
Size and selectivity: The official FAQ says the acceptance rate varies by education level and site, and the high school acceptance rate can be less than 15%. The number of positions at each lab depends on funding and projects.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · aeopinternships-fellowships.org/internships

About AEOP

AEOP Internships are funded by the US Army and administered by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). High school and undergraduate students do research in Army research laboratories or partner university labs under professional scientists or engineers. Most summer positions are full-time commuter internships of six to ten weeks between May and August, ending with a research abstract. High school students must be at least 14 and enrolled in high school; those within 60 months of graduating who have not started college may also apply.

The official FAQ says the acceptance rate varies by education level and site, and the high school rate can be less than 15%. Participation is free, and all interns receive an educational stipend set by location, duration and education level. The program is open only to US citizens and legal permanent residents, provides no housing or transportation, and requires applicants to live within commuting distance.

According to a February 2024 RIT news story, AEOP renamed its Apprenticeships as Internships that January. The Army’s SEAP, REAP and HSAP names no longer appear separately on the official program list, and high school lab positions are now applied for through AEOP Internships. The AEOP website also says AEOP will evolve into Army STEM in 2026. Navy SEAP is a separate program.

How to Apply to AEOP

All AEOP positions are commuter-based, with no housing or transportation. Filter positions by commuting distance and apply only to labs you can reach daily; the website also advises against applying where you have nowhere to live.
Applications are always open, deadlines vary by position, and some positions review on a rolling basis. Check the openings list regularly from the fall and apply early when a good fit appears.
Do not register with a school email address; the website warns that school accounts may be deactivated or may block notification emails.

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AEOP: Frequently Asked Questions

How do AEOP Internships relate to the old SEAP, REAP and HSAP?

In January 2024, AEOP renamed its Apprenticeships as Internships, and Army-funded lab research positions for high school and undergraduate students now fall under AEOP Internships. The Army's SEAP, REAP and HSAP names no longer appear separately on the official program list. Navy SEAP is a separate program that is still accepting applications.

Can an Irvine high school student with a green card apply to AEOP Internships?

Yes. AEOP Internships are open to US citizens and legal permanent residents who are at least 14 and enrolled in high school. An Irvine student on a student visa without a green card is not eligible.

Can an Irvine student apply for AEOP positions in other states?

Yes, but only where they can commute daily. The website says applicants need not be residents of the lab's state and can stay with family or friends for the summer, but the program provides no housing, transportation or meals.

What is the AEOP Internships acceptance rate?

The official FAQ says it varies by education level and site, and the high school rate can be less than 15%. The number of positions at each lab depends on funding and projects, and each lab selects its own interns.

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Sources6 sources · checked 2026-10-06

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