UTK-MRSEC × UT-ORII SMaRT Internship Partnership
Summer research for undergraduates in advanced materials and manufacturing.
UTK-MRSEC partners with the University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Student Mentoring and Research Training Internship Program, known as SMaRT.
CAMM-supported interns spend the summer working with mentors from the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and partner organizations on research connected to advanced materials, manufacturing, data, and artificial intelligence.
Visit the SMaRT Internship Page
Partners & Support
A 10-week research experience with CAMM, UT-ORII, UT, and ORNL.
Through SMaRT, interns explore advanced materials and manufacturing while gaining experience in a university and national laboratory research ecosystem. CAMM provides research projects, partial financial support, professional development, and community-building activities.
Program Snapshot
Students gain research experience, mentoring, presentation practice, and community connections.
10
Weeks
Summer research, mentoring, workshops, presentations, and community activities.
15
CAMM REU students
Students supported through CAMM-connected SMaRT research projects in 2025.
UT/ORNL
Mentors
Students work with faculty, researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral mentors.
TEAMS
Community
Students connect with the broader materials community through CAMM activities.
Team Science Experience
Hands-on research with expert mentors.
Students build research skills through real projects, mentor support, communication practice, and peer community. The experience helps students explore research careers and graduate school pathways.
- Mentoring from UT, ORNL, graduate student, faculty, and Center mentors
- Professional development and communication workshops
- Poster and oral presentation opportunities
- Peer community-building and social activities
Program Structure
A summer experience built around research, mentoring, and presentation practice.
- Orientation, mentor meetings, safety activities, and professional development
- Communication workshops and bi-monthly social gatherings
- Poster presentations at the UTK Summer Research Scholars Symposium
- Oral presentations at the SMaRT Symposium
- Participation in TEAMS, CAMM’s annual conference
Benefits
SMaRT provides financial, housing, and travel support.
Benefits
Stipend
$700 per week, plus an additional $250 loaded to a VolCard for expenses.
Benefits
Housing
University of Tennessee, Knoxville on-campus apartment-style housing is provided.
Benefits
Travel Support
Up to $1,200 for students traveling from more than 50 miles away, one way.
Focus Areas
What students can work on.
CAMM supports SMaRT projects in advanced materials and manufacturing, with connections to materials in extreme environments, data science, artificial intelligence, and team-based research.
Student Outcomes
Students build confidence, communication skills, and research direction.
REU students reported strong satisfaction with mentors and growth in skills such as collaboration, public speaking, and social confidence.
Student Growth
What students gain.
- Research mentoring and project experience
- Poster and oral presentation practice
- Professional development and peer community
- Exposure to graduate school and career pathways
Eligibility
Who should apply?
- Rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors
- Students interested in advanced materials, manufacturing, interdisciplinary science, engineering, and research careers
- Students curious about research with university and national laboratory mentors
How to Apply
Application status
Summer 2026: The application is closed.
Summer 2027: Applications are expected to open in September 2026.
Student Voices
Hear from recent SMaRT interns.
These videos show how SMaRT connects classroom learning with hands-on research, mentors, and future academic or career plans.
Chloe Davis — Ceramic thermal-barrier research using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transient plane source methods.
Courtnei Powell — Hands-on summer research within the UT–ORNL ecosystem.
Aisling Gonzalez — Machine-learning-assisted phase identification for X-ray diffraction data.
Contact
Questions about CAMM or SMaRT?
Related Education & Outreach Pages