Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Science and Technology Policy Fellowships (SunShot Initiative Fellowships)

Program Description	Conditions and Obligations
Eligibility	How to Apply
Benefits	Contact Us
Review Criteria

Program Description

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science and Technology Policy (STP) Fellowships will serve as the next step in the educational and professional development of scientists and engineers interested in energy efficiency and renewable energy policy. The EERE STP Fellowships will provide an opportunity for scientists and engineers with relevant energy technology experience to participate in policy-related projects at DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Washington, D.C. The EERE STP Fellows will apply the expertise gained from their education and history of conducting research to new and ongoing EERE initiatives. As a result of their participation on this program, Fellows are expected to:

Gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of policies that will affect energy technology development.
Contribute to the implementation of energy policies by applying their scientific and technical expertise to the development of solutions for problems in areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Continue their education and involvement in areas that support the EERE mission either in a technical or policy-related role.
Introduce policy-related knowledge and interest into research facilities supporting the EERE mission.

Three levels of Fellowships, Fellows, Senior Fellows and Junior Fellows, will allow both recent graduates and experienced scientists and engineers to participate in the EERE STP Fellowships. All Fellows will be assigned to policy-related projects and be mentored by senior EERE staff.

Fellows selected by Solar Energy Technologies will have the additional distinction of guiding the implementation of the new solar SunShot Initiative in the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program. The SunShot Fellows will have a key leadership role in beginning new research and development programs to achieve the goal of $1/W installed photovoltaics by 2020. The initial cohort is targeted to be 3-5 Fellows.

The EERE STP Fellowships are administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) in collaboration with EERE. ORISE is responsible for the implementation of the fellowship program, processing applications, the review and notification processes, and management of payments to Fellows.

Eligibility

Fellowships will be awarded to applicants based on academic level and experience. Fellows are recent Master's or Ph.D. graduates who have held a graduate degree for less than three years at the time of application. Senior Fellows are Master's or Ph.D. graduates who have held a graduate degree for more than three years at the time of application and have post-degree experience in a technical or research capacity. Junior Fellows are recent Bachelor's graduates who have held a degree for less than five years at the time of application.

Ideal Candidates will:

Have a superior academic performance and publication record.
Have strong analytical, research and communication (oral and written) skills and demonstrated capacity for creative thinking.
Have a strong technical background and expertise in an energy-technology-related field.
Be interested in being part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment, focused on energy technology research and development.

Required Qualifications for Fellows:

Hold a Ph.D. or Master's degree for no more than 3 years in an energy-relevant field of science, engineering or other highly quantitative field such as economics. SunShot Fellows must have a degree in a field relevant to photovoltaics.
Be a U.S. citizen, have Permanent Resident (Green Card) status or be eligible for an Exchange Visitor (J) Visa, if a foreign national.

Required Qualifications for Senior Fellows:

Doctorate or Master's degree for more than 3 years in an energy-relevant field of science, engineering or other highly quantitative field such as economics. SunShot Fellows must have a degree in a field relevant to photovoltaics.
If more than five years since receipt of graduate degree, applicant must have at least three years of post-degree experience in a technical or research position in a field related to energy innovation.
Be a U.S. citizen, have Permanent Resident (Green Card) status or be eligible for an Exchange Visitor (J) Visa, if a foreign national.
Experience and knowledge in technology commercialization is desirable, but not required.

Required Qualifications for Junior Fellows:

Bachelor's degree for less than five years in an energy-relevant field of science, engineering or other highly quantitative field such as economics. SunShot Fellows must have a degree in a field relevant to photovoltaics.
Be a U.S. citizen or have Permanent Resident (Green Card) status, if a foreign national.
Matriculated undergraduates may be considered for short term assignments.

Other Important Information:

Applicants enrolled in a graduate program at the time of application may not begin the Fellowship until all degree obligations have been met.
Applicants holding a postdoctoral/employment position at the time of application must rescind from all employment or affiliation commitments before the beginning of the Fellowship.
STP Fellowships are offered without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or disabled veteran.

Benefits

Fellowships are for two years. Fellows will receive the following benefits during each Fellowship year:

Stipend Rates

Stipends will be based on Fellowship level and commensurate with qualifications. The stipend rate for Fellows with a Master's degree will start at $56,857, which is equivalent to the federal general schedule (GS) Grade 10 Step 1 established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Fellows with a Ph.D. will receive a stipend starting at $74,872, which is equivalent to the GS Grade 12 Step 1. The stipend amount for Senior Fellows will be determined based on the number of years after receipt of the graduate degree. The stipend rates for Junior Fellows will start at $46,745, which is the equivalent to GS Grade 8, Step 1 established by OPM. The stipend rates for matriculated undergraduates will be competitive with other summer programs.

An increase of the stipend amount will be offered during the second-year of the appointment. The increase will be determined based on the Fellowship level and availability of funds. Stipend payments will be made monthly via electronic funds transfer into a single financial account.

Health Insurance

A stipend supplement will be provided to cover the cost of the individual or family health insurance plan offered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), which includes medical coverage and a prescription drug plan.

Relocation Travel

Relocation expenses, not to exceed $5,000, incurred in relocating from the participant's current address to Washington, D.C. (if more than 50 miles from the address shown on the application form), may be reimbursed. Relocation expenses may include transportation, shipment of household goods within the United States, temporary lodging, and per diem. Reimbursements are governed by federal travel regulations and the ORISE Travel Policy.

Travel Allowance

Fellows will receive a travel allowance of $10,000 per Fellowship year to cover travel-related expenses to scientific and professional development activities. Travel may include domestic and foreign travel to professional development experiences, scientific/technical research conferences and professional meetings and other activities.

Annual EERE Research Meeting

Additionally, travel and accommodations to an Annual Research Meeting will be provided. This meeting will be organized and hosted by EERE. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for 2012.

Review Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their academic and research record, expertise in their field of study, interest in applying their technical skills and knowledge to policy-related issues, and potential for making contributions to the solution of problems in areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy policy. Priority for selection will be given to applicants whose area of expertise is interdisciplinary and/or innovative and well-aligned with current policy issues. The review process will include phone and/or in-person interviews with potential candidates. Review of applications and final selections will be made by an internal panel of science, technology and policy experts from the EERE Program sponsoring the Fellowship.

Conditions and Obligations

Length of the Appointment

The STP Fellowships are for two years. The initial appointment period for the STP Fellowships is one year. The extension of the appointment will be subject to satisfactory progress toward completion of the project assignments, and availability of funds. Final decisions regarding the extension of the Fellowship for a second year will be made by the EERE mentor and EERE Program Manager.

Appointment Start Date

A Fellow's appointment may start within a few weeks from the date the candidate is notified of the award. All contingencies of an appointment offer must be met before the selected applicant can begin an appointment.

Conditions of the Award

Fellows will become administratively associated with Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through a letter of appointment and Terms of Appointment. Fellows will be required to sign and abide by the appointment letter, the Terms of Appointment, and other documents required by EERE.
Fellows will be considered participants in an education program and will not enter into an employer/employee relationship with Department of Energy, ORISE, or Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). No commitment with regards to future employment should be inferred or expected by the offer or acceptance of a Fellowship. ORISE is managed by ORAU for the Department of Energy.
Fellows will be required to commit to continuous resident participation for the duration of the appointment and to avoid obligations that will interrupt their research during the term of appointment. Fellows will be expected to maintain a full-time schedule during the appointment except for normal holidays recognized by the host facility and authorized vacation approved by the research mentor.
Fellows will be expected to adhere to the DOE laws, policies, and procedures, including standards of competency, conduct, appearance, and integrity.
Appointments are contingent on the Fellow's receipt of the necessary security clearance to access EERE Offices or EERE-approved venues.
Fellows are not allowed to supplement their stipends through simultaneous employment, grants, or other sources of income that compete with the Fellowship activities.
Awards, prizes, review, panel honoraria, scholarships, Veterans Administration benefits, sabbatical leave, and any other payments may be accepted by an EERE Fellow provided that these payments do not represent dual payment for the same activity.
Fellows must acknowledge the support of EERE on publications and presentations that are related to their participation in the STP Fellowships and to provide a copy of such publications to EERE and ORISE. Pursuant to Title 35 U.S. Code, Section 212, no provision of the ORISE Terms of Appointment or any other document to be completed by a participant may contain any provision giving ORISE any rights to inventions made by the Fellow. However, EERE may have different interests in this regard and may impose additional requirements as a condition of participation in this program. Fellows are expected to comply with DOE policies regarding the intellectual property rights and dissemination of information.
By accepting a Fellowship, Fellows agree to respond to future inquiries by ORISE concerning their participation in the STP Fellowships.

Progress and Final Reports

Fellows are expected to present a report to EERE and ORISE every six months summarizing progress towards completion of the assigned projects and tasks, key accomplishments, and program impact. In addition, in order to document the effectiveness of the program, Fellows are required to submit a final report and a feedback form to help EERE and ORISE assess the effectiveness of the program and participant-related processes.

Annual EERE STP Fellows Meeting

Attendance to an Annual EERE STP Fellows Meeting may be required. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for 2012.
Travel and accommodations for the Annual Meeting will be provided by the EERE Program sponsoring the Fellowship.
During this meeting, Fellows will have the opportunity to learn more about DOE, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the agencies affiliated with EERE. Fellows will also be able to meet and share their projects with other EERE Fellows, EERE staff, and representatives from DOE national laboratories and other research facilities supporting the EERE research mission.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted year-round. In order to be considered, submit completed application form and Curriculum Vitae (CV) via email. The application form and CV must be received before the application package is submitted to EERE for consideration.

Application Form

The CV must include the following:

Applicant Information
Education History. List all institutions from which you received or expect to receive a degree, beginning with current or most recent institution. Include the name of the academic institution, degree awarded or expected, date of awarded or expected degree, and academic discipline.
Work and Research Experience. List all work and research experiences beginning with current or most recent. Include the name of the employer, location, position held, and time period involved.
Leadership Experience. List experiences (e.g., work, civic, volunteer, research) that demonstrate your leadership skills. Detail your role, type of experience, organization, location, and duration.
Honors and Awards. List in chronological order (most recent first) any awards or public recognitions. Include the name of awarding institution, title of the award or honor, and date of award or honor.
Publications. List publications in the following order: 1) referee journals; 2) books; 3) published proceedings; 4) non-refereed articles; and 5) patents. Citations must include a) authors; b) year of publication; c) title; d) full name of journal; e) volume number; and f) page number(s).

Letters of recommendation are not required to apply. Selected candidates will be notified to submit letters of recommendation as part of the final selection process. Letters must come from three professional or scientific individuals familiar with the applicant's qualifications. Recommenders should provide comments (preferably with specific examples) regarding the applicant's personal characteristics and scientific capabilities that will assist in providing a complete picture of the applicant's abilities and qualifications.

Contact Us

Email:
STPfellowships@orise.orau.gov

Postal Mail:
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
EERE STP Fellowships, MS-36
P.O. Box 117
Oak Ridge, TN 37831