Click on Apply below to start your application.

Are you interested in advancing your skills to contribute to the Tribal energy sector?

The DOE Office of Indian Energy's Tribal Advancement through Laboratory Experience, Networking, and Training (TALENT) program offers paid technical and research opportunities for undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates who are interested in Tribal energy-related issues. 

This program is designed to connect Indian Tribes and program participants with technical and research opportunities at DOE national laboratories. Selected candidates will participate in projects that address real-world energy challenges while developing technical leadership and professional skills. 

If selected, you will: 

• Enhance your education and training in energy technologies, Tribal engagement, and real-world Tribal energy-related issues.
• Gain exposure to DOE mission areas, research environments, and professional networks. 
• Expand your technical, leadership, and professional skills. 

The program is intended to encourage continued involvement in energy-related initiatives within Tribal communities and to support participants in pursuing additional education, and technical and research career pathways that support tribal communities. 

Applicants are required to provide a letter of support from a Federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation. Tribal citizenship is not required for eligibility. 

Duration:

Appointments are expected to require a full-time commitment of 10 to 12 weeks during the summer of 2027. Appointment periods will align, when possible, with existing educational programs at participating DOE national laboratories to support integration into broader laboratory cohorts and professional development activities. 

With concurrence form the participant, mentor, ORISE, and DOE Office of Indian Energy (IE), appointments may be extended up to a total of 24 weeks. Commitment for extension appointments may vary to accommodate academic schedules and encourage continued engagement. 

Provisions:

Selected candidates will receive a weekly stipend ranging from $700 to $1,672 depending on their academic level, to offset the cost of living and other expenses during the appointment period. Stipend rates are determined by the Office of Indian Energy. Additional provisions may also be offered such as supplements for housing, inbound/outbound travel, and on-station travel. 

Location: 

Appointments are expected to be conducted primarily on-site at participating DOE national laboratories across the United States. Currently, the following laboratories will be hosting participants:

• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL, Richland, WA)
• National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, Golden, CO)
• Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM)

Connect with ORISE...on the GO!  Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

You must meet the following conditions to be considered:

• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application. 
• Be at least 18 years of age by June 1, 2027. 
• Have a strong connection to a Tribe as demonstrated by a letter of support from one of the following:
  • Academic official at an eligible Tribal College and University (TCU) included in the list linked here: https://orise.orau.gov/zintellect-files/files/list-of-tcus.xlsx
  • Tribal employment/Workforce office
  •  An authorized representative of a Federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation. An authorized representative must be an active elected official, traditional leader, or designated Tribal authority. (e.g., Chief, Chair, Governor, President, CEO, Tribal Administrator).
  • Tribal Council or Board Resolution passed by the governing body of the Tribal government or Alaska Native Corporation.
• Meet one of the following conditions:
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a Tribal College and University (TCU) included in the list linked here: https://orise.orau.gov/zintellect-files/files/list-of-tcus.xlsx
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university.
  • Have completed a high school degree and possess a specialized skill or area of expertise as demonstrated by years of experience or certifications that uniquely qualify them to participate in the program and further develop their knowledge,
  • Have completed an undergraduate, or graduate degree within the last five years.

Applicants who are employed by a Tribe must obtain approval from the Tribe to participate in the program, and that approval must be documented in the letter of support. Because participation is contingent upon endorsement by the Tribe and is expected to require full-time engagement, employees of a Tribe who are selected to participate should not simultaneously receive a salary from the Tribe for their participation in the program, as this would constitute double compensation for the same activity.

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Letter of support from an academic official at a TCU, Tribal employment/Workforce office, or an authorized representative of a Federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation. An authorized representative must be an active elected official, traditional leader, or designated Tribal authority. (e.g., Chief, Chair, Governor, President, CEO, Tribal Administrator). Alternatively, applicants may submit a Tribal Council or Board Resolution passed by the governing body of the Tribal government or Alaska Native Corporation.
• Completion of program specific questions including:
  • Personal Statement regarding goals and interests
  • Professional and Technical Experience
  • Host facility preference
  • Mentor preference
• Resume
  • Experience: Recent positions held, including length of employment, hours worked, and location.
  • Community Service & Extracurricular Activities: List service and/or extracurricular activities in which applicants have participated, beginning with the most recent.
  • Special Skills and Abilities: List professional/technical skills and abilities that are relevant to this program and the projects selected.
• Academic Records: A copy of an official or unofficial transcript or copies of your academic records from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Academic records may be used to verify your eligibility before an offer is made. You may not be considered if eligibility cannot be verified.

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect. All application components must be received in the system by the application deadline to be considered.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral 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 (29 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 6/1/2027