Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program

For more than 20 years, the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program has provided students with fellowship opportunities to gain hands-on research experience with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy. The MLEF program was created in 1995 with the goal of improving opportunities for under-represented students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields; however, all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.

The mission of the MLEF program is to strengthen a diverse pipeline of future STEM professionals, and this program has mentored several hundred of the best and brightest students from across the nation for future careers in STEM.

Selected candidates train under the mentorship of program officials and scientists on focused research projects, consistent with the mission of the Office of Fossil Energy. During these 10-week energy fellowships, participants receive a stipend, and some students may be eligible for housing and travel allowances for the duration of the program. They also gain insight into how DOE is working to meet the energy challenges of the future.

At the conclusion of the program, Fellows attend a “Technical Forum” where they present their research findings and tour a nearby technical site.

Apply now for the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program!
Deadline is January 3, 2017.

Applicant Information

Information for Applicants to the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship

This section provides details on eligibility for the program, the application process, and all of the required information needed to be considered for the program. Applicants should read this section before starting the application.

Apply now for the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program!
Deadline is January 3, 2017.

Selected Fellows: Appointment Overview

Information for Current Fellows in the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship

Once selected for the MELF program, it is important that you carefully review this section which should address many of the questions you may have regarding your participation in the MLEF program. 

Meet a Fellow: Research Experiences at MLEF

  • Wyatt Adams

    Wyatt Adams participated in the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) alongside his mentor Ethan Hecht at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, Calif. The focus of Adams’ research was to gather information about the oxy-combustion of coal, a potential coal-burning process that can lessen the negative impact on the environment. The MLEF Program is administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Read more about Wyatt…
  • Allante Harrison

    As a participant in DOE’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program, Allante Harrison constructed different models to assess the Marcellus Shale gas well, located near Marcellus, N.Y. The MLEF Program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, which is managed by ORAU for DOE. Read more about Allante…
  • LaDena A. Bolton

    As a participant in the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) program, LaDena A. Bolton tried to improve the conductivity of the solid electrolyte in high performance batteries through testing various lithium rich compounds at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). The MLEF Program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), which is managed by ORAU for the U.S. Department of Energy. Read more about LaDena…
  • Virginia Jimenez

    Through the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program, Virginia Jimenez used National Instruments LabView programming software to automate a high temperature and high pressure system for sensor testing. The MLEF program is administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Read more about Virginia…
  • Brenna Doherty

    Brenna Doherty spent her summer as a research participant in the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship program. She conducted research with her mentor, Nicolas Huerta, with the goal of increasing the viability of the NRAP modeling software used to track the movement of carbon dioxide underground. She hopes her work will one day ensure the environmental consciousness and economic success of the fossil fuel industry by providing an accurate means to mitigate sequestered CO2 leakage. (Photo courtesy of Nicolas Huerta) Read more about Brenna…
  • Tracy Tran

    Tracy Tran spent her summer conducting research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, studying the corrosive effects of atmospheric chloride. Read more about Tracy…