The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recruits students at both the undergraduate and graduate level and fosters the next generation of FBI professionals through a number of programs:
- Volunteer Internship Program
- Honors Internship Program
- Cyber Internship Program
- Visiting Science Program
FBI Volunteer Internship Program
The FBI Volunteer Internship Program is an unpaid internship program for undergraduates in their junior or senior year, as well as graduate and post-graduate students. This internship opportunity allows students to gain a deeper understanding of FBI operations and the careers available through the Bureau while working alongside FBI employees.
The FBI Volunteer Internship program, which takes place for ten weeks during the summer months (The 2013 program runs from June 3 to August 9.), occurs at select FBI Field Offices throughout the country, as well as the FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the Criminal Justice Information Services in West Virginia.
Upon completion of this summer internship program, volunteer internship programs may then be available at other points throughout the year and at select Field Offices.
To qualify for the FBI Volunteer Internship Program, interns must be: a U.S. citizen; enrolled in an accredited college or university; and classified as a full-time undergraduate Junior or Senior, graduate, or post-doctorate student. The FBI also requires that students have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above and be in good standing with their academic institution.
Further, students must meet all FBI employment standard entry requirements to qualify for the FBI Volunteer Internship Program regarding illegal drugs and must be able to pass an FBI background check, a drug test, a polygraph test, and a personnel security interview.
The FBI recruits interns from a wide variety of educational backgrounds, including (but not limited to):
The FBI is also currently seeking individuals with cyber-related educational backgrounds due to the Bureau’s current critical needs. Individuals through the FBI’s 2013 Cyber Initiative should be majoring in (or possessing) the following disciplines:
Students may apply for the FBI Volunteer Internship Program at the FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. or at one of the select FBI field offices. All students must submit their resume and school transcript with their application. Chosen individuals will be contacted for an in-person interview.
FBI Honors Internship Program
The FBI Honors Internship Program is a paid summer internship program designed for a select group of undergraduate and graduate students. Those selected may participate in the FBI Honors Internship Program in Washington, D.C. or at one of the country’s Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories (RCFL).
Like the FBI Volunteer Internship Program, the FBI Honors Internship Program occurs for ten weeks during the summer months. All students through the FBI Honors Internship Program work alongside FBI Special Agents and other FBI professional staff members on a number of relevant management issues and cases within the Bureau.
Interns through the Honors Internship Program are chosen based on their academic course of study, their potential contribution to the Bureau, and the current needs of the FBI.
Due to the highly competitive nature of the FBI Honors Internship Program, the selection process is strict. Candidates must therefore possess strong academic credentials. All candidates must be currently attending an accredited college or university on a full-time basis, and undergraduate students must be in their junior or senior year. All candidates must have, at a minimum, a 3.0 GPA; be citizens of the United States; and meet all FBI requirements, including passing an FBI background investigation.
The FBI Honors Internship Program will not occur in 2013.
FBI Cyber Internship Program
The FBI Cyber Internship Program is offered to undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, as well as graduate and post-graduate students. Students in the FBI Cyber Internship Program work alongside experts who collect and analyze information based on computer intrusion investigations.
Students in the Cyber Internship Program work at either the FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. or at select FBI Field Offices for 10 weeks during the summer months. Upon completion of this summer internship program, the FBI may offer additional internship opportunities throughout the school year.
The FBI Cyber Internship Program is a paid internship, and students are paid a salary that is commensurate to their level of education. Students must be able to participate in the program for at least 10 weeks, at 40 hours per week.
To qualify for the Cyber Internship Program, candidates must be U.S. citizens and be enrolled full time at an accredited college or university. Further, candidates must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and must meet all FBI employment requirements, including passing a background check, a polygraph test, a drug test, and a personnel security interview.
Students considered for the FBI Cyber Internship Program must be pursuing a degree in one of the following disciplines:
Students applying for the Cyber Internship Program must submit their resume, academic transcript, and a written recommendation from a dean or department head along with their application for consideration.
All candidates must apply for the Cyber Internship Program through USAJObs.gov.
FBI Visiting Scientist Program
The FBI Visiting Scientist Program is offered through the FBI Laboratory’s Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit. Students of the FBI Visiting Scientist Program conduct laboratory and computer research in analytical chemistry, molecular biology or dataset computation alongside FBI Scientists. Chosen students complete their program at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. Visiting scientists may include:
- Faculty
- Postdoctoral fellows
- Recent graduates
- Graduate students
- Undergraduate students
Student and faculty appointments last three months during the summer, while postgraduate appointments generally last for about one year and are renewable for up to four years. All participants in the Visiting Scientist Program receive a monthly stipend commensurate on their level of education.
All candidates for the Visiting Science Program should have an interest in forensic science, and candidates with a degree or other credential in science, engineering or a technology discipline are encouraged to apply. Preferred disciplines for the Visiting Science Program include all Forensic Sciences, Chemistry, and Biology disciplines.
All student candidates for the FBI Visiting Science Program must be attending an accredited college or university and must have a GPA of at least 2.5. Graduate candidates must be on track to complete their program on time, and postgraduate applicants must have received their degree within the past 5 years. Faculty applicants must be full-time, permanent faculty members at an accredited college or university. In addition, all candidates must be U.S. citizens and all must meet all FBI Requirements, including passing an FBI Background Investigation.
The Visiting Scientist Program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. All applications must be submitted directly to them.