Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office enables research, development, and testing of emerging technologies to advance marine energy as well as next-generation hydropower and pumped storage systems for a flexible, reliable grid.

Marine energy technologies convert the energy of waves, tides, and river and ocean currents into electricity and have the potential to provide millions of Americans with locally sourced, clean, and reliable energy. The WPTO funded Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track will strengthen those efforts by preparing post-graduates for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers in marine energy important to WPTO by providing opportunities at industry organizations, DOE laboratories, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), nonprofits, and other DOE/WPTO-approved facilities.

Marine Energy Fellowship applications are reviewed (and offers are made) two times per year with the first application deadline being December 6, 2024, 5pm EST, for a summer start date, and the second application period on March 7, 2025, 5 pm EST, for a Fall start date. Letters of support for the 1st application period must be received by Friday, December 13, 2024, 5pm EST and Friday, March 14, 2025, 5pm EST for the 2nd application period for your application to be considered.

What will I be doing?

As a participant with the Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track, you will get to advance your master’s or doctoral thesis utilizing the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at DOE laboratories, industry, federal agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, or other approved facility to accomplish your research goals, all while networking with top scientists in the field. You will enhance your education and training in marine energy, increase your marketability in these disciplines, gain access to top scientists and state-of- the-art equipment, and gain insight into research and career opportunities. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from experts researching, developing, and testing emerging technologies in marine energy and/or blue economy.

You will conduct research at both your academic institution and at an external hosting facility. Because you are responsible for finding a host facility and securing a mentor, you will be embedded in a facility whose research aligns with your research goals and who can provide the resources you need for your research. Your mentor may also be a resource for your next career step!

Who do we want?

Highly motivated graduate students who are completing a thesis or dissertation in a marine energy topic, including but not limited to innovative technologies for clean, domestic power generation from marine energy technologies. Applicants who are able to independently secure a hosting facility and mentor to host them for the appointment; virtually, hybrid, or in-person. Where will I be?

You will identify the host facility where you want to conduct your research and a potential mentor currently conducting or directing research, development, and/or testing in a marine energy topic.

The minimum appointment period for this fellowship is 6 months at the identified hosting facility, virtually or in-person, however, appointments are typically 12 months. For a list of potential host facilities, please visit www.energy.gov/eere/water/host-institutions-marine-energy-graduate-student-research-program. Applicants are not limited to this list.

The benefits:

You will receive a competitive monthly stipend ($2,500 for students pursuing a master’s degree and $2,950 for students pursuing a doctoral degree), health insurance or a health insurance supplement to offset the costs of health insurance, reimbursement for education, research, and/or conference travel and materials up to $7,000, and limited tuition reimbursement. A relocation and/or travel allowance of up to $3,000 may be provided for eligible participants relocating and/or traveling to the hosting facility.

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

Qualifications Applicants must:

Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident

Be enrolled as a full-time master’s or doctoral graduate student at a qualified program requiring a research thesis/dissertation at an accredited U.S. college or university during the academic year.

Be conducting research in an area aligned with WPTO priority research areas for marine energy.

Have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.

Be available to conduct research at the hosting facility for at least six months, virtually or in-person.

Students may apply for and are eligible to participate in the program at multiple times during their graduate studies.

A complete application consists of:

A complete application consists of:

Zintellect Profile Proof of enrollment in a Graduate program requiring thesis during the 2024 fall semester/quarter for December application deadline; Spring 2025 proof of enrollment for March application deadline. Proof may include one of the following: Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems including courses in progress during the 2024 fall semester/quarter term or the 2025 spring semester/quarter term. Letter from authorized academic department official, such as Department Chair, or other document issued/authorized by the academic institution confirming your enrollment. Letter or document must include your name and official university markings such as the registrar’s signature, university logo or stamp, letterhead or watermark, signature of the authorized official, etc. Proposed Research Plan Letter of Support from Hosting Facility A current resume/CV (2-page limit) One letter of support from your academic advisor. This letter should address your academic record and potential for success in an appointment, such as demonstrated intellectual merit, communication and teamwork All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered. All supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files so the document can be searched by Zintellect’s search engine. Scanned items are not optimal for search engines. PDF must not require special certificates or passwords to open. Max file size is 10MB.

Review of Applications

Applications will be collected in Zintellect and will undergo an eligibility check by ORISE administration. For more information regarding the application criteria and review process, please visit orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program/.

For detailed information regarding Application Components, including requirements for the Proposed Research Plan, visit orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program/

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered. All supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files so the document can be searched by Zintellect’s search engine. Scanned items are not optimal for search engines. PDF must not require special certificates or passwords to open. Max file size is 10MB.

Apply Today! We will need a copy of your academic records, a resume, a letter of recommendation, and a proposed project description, including your proposed hosting facility and potential mentor. For more information and resources on research plans, visit orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program/. If you have questions, please send an email to [email protected]. Please list the reference code for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.

Eligibility Requirements Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen Degree: Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree. Overall GPA: 3.00 Discipline(s): Business (6 ) Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 ) Communications and Graphics Design (6 ) Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (15 ) Earth and Geosciences (17 ) Engineering (22 ) Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 ) Life Health and Medical Sciences (34 ) Mathematics and Statistics (8 ) Other Non-Science & Engineering (10 ) Physics (9 ) Science & Engineering-related (2 ) Social and Behavioral Sciences (21 ) Age: Must be 18 years of age