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: Post-Graduate Track will assist in 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 Organization (NGO)'s, 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: Post-Graduate Track, you will get to advance your experience and skills 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 that aligns with your professional goals and who can provide the resources you need for your career development. Your mentor may also be a resource for your next career step!

Who do we want?

• Highly motivated recent graduate who has completed a degree program in a topic applicable to marine energy, 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, either 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 appointment period for this fellowship is 12 months at the identified hosting facility, virtually, hybrid, or in-person. For a list of potential host facilities, please visit https://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 based on highest degree obtained ($5,000 for bachelors, $5,833 for masters, and $6,667 for doctoral degrees), health insurance or a health insurance supplement to offset the costs of health insurance, reimbursement for education, research, and/or conference support and materials up to $10,000. Relocation and/or travel funds of up to $4,000 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 during the appointment period. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

Applicants must:

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Be a recent graduate of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at a qualified program at an accredited U.S. college or university. The degree must have been obtained within 24 months of the appointment start date. 
• Have conducted research, development, and/or testing in an area aligned with marine energy.

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Proposed Role and Responsibilities
  • Title
  • Position description: The position description should be a maximum of two pages and summarize the post-graduates role and responsibilities at the host facility, how the role supports the mission of the host facility, role of the host facility and mentor, timeline, expected outcomes, and relevance to marine energy.
• Mentor at External Hosting Facility
  • Name and contact information
  • Host Facility Name
  • Department/Division
  • Position Title of Mentor
  • Letter of Support from the proposed mentor. The letter must demonstrate knowledge of and concurrence with the proposed position description and agreement to host the applicant if an appointment is offered.
• Records showing currently pursuing a degree or degree recently obtained (24 months) from a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program requiring thesis. If currently pursuing at the time of application, degree must be received by appointment start date. Transcripts or copies of the student academic records provided by the applicant from internal institutional systems may be submitted.
• Resume (2-page limit)
• Professional summary detailing knowledge, skills, and background in an area aligned with marine energy.

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.

If you have questions, please send an email to DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.

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 https://orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program/. 

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 https://orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program/. For administrative questions about the appointment to the Marine Energy Fellowship, contact DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov. 

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 months or currently pursuing.
• 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 (33 )
  • 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