The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) regularly engages fellows in the liberal arts and sciences through a variety of internship and fellowship programs, including the following:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program
- Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowship program
- DOE Scholars Program
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Student Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP)
- Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program (MEISPP).
These programs provide opportunities for scientists and engineers at the secondary and post-secondary levels to gain firsthand experience with conducting and managing research, development, and demonstration at a nationwide scale. Interns and fellows contribute their knowledge and skills to federal agencies while living in the nation's capital and networking with other fellows. Internships and fellowships can set scientists ahead in their field as professionals with a solid understanding of how government operates and partners with the science community.
At BETO, interns and fellows work alongside experienced bioenergy professionals. They have contributed to strategic planning processes, technical papers, conferences and workshops, and a host of other resume-building activities. BETO welcomes applicants from all scientific disciplines and career stages. Internship and fellowship experiences are tailored to a fellow's technical background and career goals.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellowship
The AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship is a 12-month learning experience with federal science and technology policymaking. Prior experience with federal policymaking is not required. Once fellows are accepted into the AAAS fellowship program, a coordinator schedules interviews for placement with individual government agencies.
The AAAS website contains the most up-to-date application schedule for the Science & Technology Fellowship program. The online application opens late spring and closes late fall for the fellowship program of the following year.
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
The PMF Program provides advanced degree graduates with a 2-year excepted service position within a federal agency; the position is supplemented with mentorship, career planning, and professional development and training. Successful completion of the requirements of the PMF Program can lead to a permanent position within that federal agency. Once applicants are considered finalists in the PMF Program, they can apply for positions within EERE that are posted on usajobs.gov.
The PMF website contains the most up-to-date application schedule for the PMF Program. The online application opens in late September and closes in mid-October for the PMF Class for the following year.
Oak Ridge Institute For Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowship
DOE’s EERE Science and Technology Policy (STP) Fellowship is a 2-year learning experience to participate in policy-related activities within EERE. Advanced degree graduates with a range of experience levels apply their expertise to current and future policy and technical initiatives in energy efficiency and renewable energy.The STP Fellowships are administered by ORISE in collaboration with EERE.
The STP Fellowship web page contains the most up-to-date information on how to apply for the STP Fellowship program. The online application has a rolling deadline.
U.S. Department Of Energy Scholars Program
DOE’s Scholars Program is a 10-week internship program that provides post-secondary students the opportunity to participate in paid internships, research, and individual development aligned with the mission of DOE. Participants focus on a variety of disciplines (including bioenergy) within DOE offices and power administrations across the country.
The Energy Scholars Program web page contains the most up-to-date information on how to apply for the program. The online application opens in October for appointments in the following summer.
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP)
SVIP is a 10–16 week internship program that provides opportunities to experience activities within DOE’s EERE. To participate in opportunities at DOE’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the Golden Field Office in Golden, Colorado, individuals must be enrolled at least half-time in a high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or comparable educational institution. For opportunities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, individuals must be a full-time rising sophomore in college, having earned at least 24 semester hours (39 quarter credit hours) in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field.
The SVIP web page contains the most up-to-date information on how to apply for the program. The online application has a rolling deadline, depending on placement start and end dates.
Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program (MEISPP)
DOE’s MEISPP is an 8–10 week summer internship program that provides students from underrepresented communities the opportunity to work on research, policy, business, or government relations in the STEM fields at DOE and its national laboratories. Talented high school students and college/graduate students are eligible to apply, as long as they are at least 18 years old and are enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited institution of higher education in the fall.
The MEISPP web page contains the most up-to-date information on how to apply for the program. The online application process for the current year is open until the end of April. Selected participants will be notified 60–80 days after the submission deadline.