Los Alamos Dynamics Summer School

The 27th Los Alamos Dynamics/Engineering Summer School (LADSS)

June 1 - August 7, 2026

LADSS focuses on the multi-disciplinary field of dynamics, spanning mechanical, structural, and electrical systems. Students work in teams on assigned research projects and are mentored by Los Alamos National Laboratory R&D engineers and scientists.

Formal technical and career-development tutorials are offered throughout the program.

Students' objective is to perform research that will develop innovative solutions to Laboratory mission-relevant problems defined by their mentors.  

Students

• This program is limited to US citizens (dual citizenship accepted).
• Current junior or senior undergraduates and first-year graduate students are invited to apply.
• Students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds are sought to participate, studying in these disciplines:
  • mechanical, aerospace, electrical, nuclear, and civil engineering
  • computer science
  • mathematics/statistics

Acceptance into the program is based on academic record, application, and letters of recommendation. As a general guideline, students should have sufficient academic achievement that they are, or will be, eligible for graduate school.  

Projects

Students are placed into three-person multi-disciplinary teams, assigned a research project to be completed in an intense ten-week time frame, and mentored by Laboratory staff. The projects typically have a modeling, experimental, and analysis component.

The goal is for the students to produce results and document their research in a manner suitable for reporting at professional conferences. Many summer school students will prepare a paper for and present their research results at a conference taking place the following winter.

Read about Previous Projects and Speakers

Educational enrichment

Weekly lectures are offered on various aspects of dynamic systems:

• signal processing
• modeling dynamic systems
• system identification
• model validation
• nonlinear systems
• machine learning

In most cases the students will apply the materials presented in these lectures to their projects. A professional development seminar series covers topics such as applying to graduate school and graduate fellowships, technical reporting, and giving effective presentations.

Benefits of Participation

Participation in LADSS has had a lasting impact on many of its participants. 81 past LADSS participants have won National Science Foundation (NSF) or National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) fellowships. 58 past participants have returned to the Laboratory as research staff. Many of them have gone on to become LADSS mentors and continue the tradition of supporting students in their efforts to further their studies and careers.

Compensation

• Students are provided fellowships.
• Fellowships range from $12,000 to $18,000 depending on academic status and the point of origin of the student's travel to Los Alamos, New Mexico.
• Fellowship amounts are comparable to ten weeks of salary plus roundtrip travel expenses.

To get an idea of your possible fellowship payment, you can check the Student Programs office Salary Information for student employees. Please be sure to look at the Technical category of employee, not Professional.

How to Apply

Complete an application for the LADSS program

The early application deadline (first round of reviews) is November 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM MST.
The general application deadline (second round of reviews) is January 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM MST.

 As part of the application process you will need to submit the following:

1. Resume/CV (maximum 3 pages)
   
2. 1-page cover letter describing your interest in this summer school and multi-disciplinary dynamic systems research as well as your near term (1-3 year) academic and professional goals
3. Complete Transcripts (Unofficial is fine. Please black out any personal identifying information such as address, SSN, DOB, etc.)
4. One letter of recommendation - will be requested and submitted through the application system