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Are you interested in learning about the process by which new technologies reach full commercial scale and are available in the marketplace?

The Technology Commercialization Internship Program (TCIP) sponsored by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) provides paid opportunities for undergraduate students to explore and contribute to advances at the intersection of business and innovative technologies. Students undergo intensive training as they join the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE's) world-class national laboratory system, boost entrepreneurial thinking, and explore market opportunities.

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Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET | Register Now

Wednesday, January 3, 2023, 12-1:00 p.m. ET | Register Now

As a program participant, you will:

• Participate in and contribute to OTT mission-related activities, this includes market research, intellectual property discovery, ecosystem development, customer discovery, and more.
• Learn and collaborate with Technology Transfer specialists at DOE national laboratories working on commercialization efforts related to the OTT mission, and establish long-term relationships between yourself, technology transfer experts, and OTT staff.
• Gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of policies that will affect energy technology development.
• Enhance your education and training by learning from Energy I-Corps instructors, attending workshops, and using your new-found knowledge to complete deliverables such as a feasibility study and student presentation.

The Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) strongly believes in a diverse workforce for the next generation of technology commercialization professionals. The OTT Technology Commercialization Program supports DOE's Justice40 Initiative and DOE efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. Hence, students from disadvantaged communities, underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and Minority Serving Institutions are encouraged to apply.

Visit https://orise.orau.gov/ott-internships/ for additional information.

Program Benefits

• Stipend: $850 per week. A stipend supplement to offset the cost of housing may be provided for participants that relocate more than 50 miles from their home/school location. Supplement will be based on internship location. 
• Option to participate in person or remotely depending on the host facility's availability
• Limited reimbursement for travel expenses to the assigned hosting site
• Attendance to an In-person opening ceremony in Washington, D.C., and a closing ceremony at a national laboratory.  Travel arrangements and reimbursement will be provided.

Duration

Internships will be for 10-12 consecutive weeks beginning on or about May 28, 2024. Length of the appointment will depend on the project assignment and mentor and student's availability.

Review and Selection Process

OTT will review applications for merit and relevance before mentors at national laboratories review applications to determine if there is a match between your knowledge, skills and interests and the available projects. OTT and mentors may contact you for interviews. Final selections will be made by a federal official from OTT.  ORISE will notify selected candidates. The number of internships offer is contingent upon availability of funding.

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.

About OTT

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the largest supporters of technology transfer in the federal government. The Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) was established in 2015 to oversee and advance this important mission by expanding the public impact of the department’s research and development (R&D) portfolio to advance the economic, energy, and environmental interests of the nation. The office develops and implements on the Department’s policy and vision for expanding the commercial impact of its research investments, and it streamlines information and access to DOE’s National Laboratories (listing available at https://www.labpartnering.org/choosing_a_lab) and sites to foster partnerships that will move innovations from the Labs into the marketplace. OTT hosts the Lab Partnering Service (LPS) Website where one can find information on and access DOE Experts, Innovations, and Labs. This information is located at: https://www.labpartnering.org.

The Chief Commercialization Officer serves as Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, whose responsibilities include oversight of the Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF), Technology Transfer Working Group, and the coordination of technology transfer activities and best practices across the DOE complex.

OTT’s responsibility extends throughout the Department’s programs, 17 National Laboratories, and other research and production facilities located throughout the country.  The office works closely with stakeholders and personnel at all these locations to ensure the development of the best policies and to maintain awareness of the latest issues. Together, OTT works with internal and external partners to enhance the nation’s economic competitiveness and strengthen its leadership in innovation and transformative, impactful technologies that can help tackle the climate challenges of today.

Additional information about OTT’s activities is described on OTT’s website: https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/office-technology-transitions

To be considered, applicants must meet each of the following criteria by the application deadline:

• Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. While U.S. citizenship is not required for participation in the program, U.S. citizenship may be required depending on the internship assignment. ORISE will work with facilities and selected candidates to determine eligibility. Selected candidates must provide suitable documentation to verify citizenship status at the time appointment is accepted.
• Be at least 18 years old by May 28, 2024.
• Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student during the 2023-2024 academic year pursuing a degree in science, technology, mathematics, engineering, or business with an interest in entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. You must provide proof of enrollment during the 2023 Fall. Candidates selected for an internship appointment will be required to provide proof of enrollment for 2024 Spring.
• Have coverage under a health insurance plan during the appointment. Selected candidate must provide proof of such coverage before the appointment start date.

A completed application consists of:

• All required fields in the profile
• Program Specific Questions
  • Goals: Please list your personal, educational, and professional goals and interests and explain how this opportunity may enable you to achieve those. Describe any experiences or situations that you feel have influenced your interest.
  • Skills: Please list your professional/technical skills and abilities that are relevant to this opportunity, including knowledge/skills related to specialized laboratory equipment or techniques, computer hardware, software, or computer languages and/or applications.
  • Professional Experience: Please list any research, technical and/or professional experience that was focused on (1) technology development; (2) technology commercialization; and (3) entrepreneurship.
  • Personal Experience: The Office of Technology Transitions recognizes that (1) diversity is a critical element in the development and advancement of new concepts and ideas; and (2) students’ potential for success goes beyond academic background and experiences.  As part of the next generation of thought leaders and researchers, you have a unique opportunity to influence the impact of technology commercialization may have in our nation. Please tell us about how your life’s experiences and beliefs, background, and interests have shaped who you are, led you to your current academic/career path, and contributed to a unique perspective for impacting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in technology commercialization.
• Transcripts/Academic Records - Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcript or academic records must clearly show the student name, name of the academic institution, enrollment during the 2023 Fall term, current/completed/enrolled courses, grades, most recent cumulative GPA, and degree in progress.  Documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
• A current resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Academic/Professional Recommendation - Letter should address your academic record and potential for success in an appointment, such as demonstrated intellectual merit, communication and teamwork skills. Recommendation must be submitted by Monday, January 22, 2024, 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone.

Questions?

OTT-internships@orise.orau.gov

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Currently pursuing an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 5/28/2024