AEOP Apprenticeship Benefits

• Stand out from your peers by making the most of your summer. The experience of an AEOP apprenticeship looks good to college admissions officers.
• Be in the room where it happens. Apply classroom knowledge and feed your curiosity by immersing yourself in the research world. Not only will you be exposed to high-tech equipment and cutting edge techniques, but you will learn the sounds, smells, and the pace of the lab. Learn the culture of STEM.
• Mentorship is the special sauce. There is so much to learn from the people in the lab. As an AEOP Apprentice you will receive formal mentorship from a professional scientist or engineer. In addition to this, there will be multiple opportunities for you to learn from the STEM practitioners, of varying levels of experience, around you. Receive guidance and coaching and start building a network that will make all the difference in your STEM journey.
• Research that matters. U.S. Army-sponsored research addresses the Nation’s biggest challenges. An AEOP apprenticeship provides the opportunity to be part of the long history of discovery and innovation for the benefit of our country.
• Ongoing support. Connect with a community of like-minded peers, other AEOP apprentices from throughout the country in virtual office hours with Near Peer Mentors. Near Peer Mentors are just a few steps ahead of you. They provide “real talk” and answer apprentice’s most pressing questions. Take advantage of the AEOP’s ongoing webinar series that highlights hot STEM careers, research areas, and additional opportunities with the AEOP. Or, attend a workshop to build college-readiness and professional skills.
• Earn a stipend. Not only is participation in the AEOP free, all AEOP apprentices receive an educational stipend in recognition of their work.

Information for Applicants

• In collaboration with universities and U.S. Army Research Laboratories and Centers, the AEOP is proud to offer summer apprenticeships for high school students throughout the country.
• Apprenticeships take place onsite unless otherwise noted. (In the case of location closures due to COVID-19 restrictions, apprenticeships may be offered remotely or cancelled depending on individual location circumstances.)
• AEOP High School Apprenticeships are designed for commuters. Transportation, meals, and housing are not provided. It is important to keep this in mind when selecting locations in the application.
• Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, complete the AEOP High School Apprenticeships application, and submit recommendations (if required) by the due date in order to be considered for an apprenticeship.
• Locations may require that applicants meet specific age or grade in school requirements (not negotiable). Prerequisite coursework may also be required.
• In the effort to ensure equitable access to STEM education, some sites target participants from underrepresented or military connected families.
• Please review the application FAQ for application tips and answers to frequently asked questions. We strongly recommend that you write the essay and gather materials (transcript, etc.) before starting the application.
• There is no application fee and participation in AEOP Apprenticeships is free.
• All apprentices earn an educational stipend in recognition of their participation. The stipend amount varies by apprenticeship location and program duration. If selected for the apprenticeship, information about the stipend will be provided in the award letter.
• A step-by-step process for the High School Apprenticeship application can be found here.

Most Summer 2023 High School Apprenticeship applications are now closed. A few sites are still open, listed in the map below. Apply here. 

Stay up-to-date with our application and future opportunities by joining our mailing list here.

AEOP High School Info Sessions

There are no upcoming High School Apprenticeship info sessions.

Eligibility

All participants must be current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Additional eligibility requirements vary by location.

In alignment with the federal government, AEOP supports diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM and is interested in broadening participation from underserved populations. To support this effort, some (but not all) AEOP High School Apprenticeships have been specifically designed for participants from underserved groups. (AEOP Undergraduate Apprenticeships are open to participants from all backgrounds. Candidates from underserved groups are encouraged to apply.) The information provided by applicant, will be used both to statistically understand AEOP’s reach and to determine if you meet AEOP’s broad definition of underserved. Later in this form, you will be asked for more detailed demographics. The information you provide will be treated as confidential and submission is voluntary.

For these specific sites, applicants must meet at least two of the criteria list below:

• Alaskan Native or Native American, Black or African American, Hispanic, and/or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• Identify as female and am pursuing research in physical science, computer science, mathematics, or engineering.
• Have or previously had a disability (physical or mental impairment, medical condition, or learning disability)
• The primary language in their home is not English.
• They are a first-generation college student. (None of their parents or legal guardians graduated from college)
• At least one of their parents or legal guardians or my spouse is an active member or veteran of the U.S. military, National Guard or Reserves
• Their school is a Title I school (can be found https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/)
• They qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in school.
• Their school is located in an urban or rural area.