Fantastic opportunity for UK-based undergraduates!
UKAEA’s FOSTER (Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training Education & Research) skills programme has been designed to grow and develop fusion’s next generation.
UKAEA has partnered with a range of host organisations in the fusion sector, to offer 8-week summer internship placements to UK-based undergraduate students. The internship will give students an invaluable opportunity to gain work experience within the growing UK fusion industry.
Background
The fusion industry needs to grow rapidly, and more graduates are needed to meet the UK’s ambition to lead in the delivery of sustainable fusion energy globally. The FOSTER programme is looking to build the talent pipeline into the industry. Over the past three years, 83 students have participated in placements in 20 host organisations around the UK, with many receiving offers of employment after their graduation.
Eligibility
The Scheme is offered to UK-based University undergraduates (those graduating after the September of their placement year) to work with members of the fusion industry over the summer (June-August). The fusion sector needs a range of skills and career pathways to be developed, and these placement projects vary across a variety of disciplines such as STEM, Professional Services and Project Management for example.
Subsistence Payment
In 2025, the scheme will provide students a subsistence payment of £3,900 once they have accepted a placement at a host organisation.
How to apply
Students
Students can register their interest in the scheme. This data is not shared with the host organisations and must be filled out in addition to the hosts application process.
Hosts
Host organisations can submit project outlines (relating to the fusion industry) for consideration. Hosts can submit this form more than once if they have multiple projects for consideration. The form also allows the host to identify the number of students they would be willing to support per project. The deadline for host organisations to upload their project outline is Wednesday, December 18th 2024.
Projects accepted onto the scheme will be advertised on the this website. The Host organisations are then responsible for recruiting the students via their own recruitment process.
Bursary Scheme
FOSTER recognises that not everyone can commit to a placement for a variety of reasons, and offers an additional bursary to assist with relocation, accommodation or other support needs costs associated with this opportunity.
Priority will be given to students who:
- Accepted a placement at a host organisation.
- Meet one or more of the eligibility criteria (students of communities currently under-represented in the fusion industry or those who would struggle to accept a placement without additional financial support).
For more information about this scheme, please contact internships@fusionskills.ukaea.uk