To apply as a Fellow, click on Apply at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions about the application, please contact ORISE at DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov with “The Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship” in the subject line. 

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!  The app is for both applicants and for use after one is appointed.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO), Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE), and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) are seeking candidates for the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship program who have an interest in the clean energy transition. Innovator Fellows will get hands-on learning experience supporting projects that the Host Institutions identify as critical to advancing clean energy solutions that decarbonize the power system, electrify transportation and industry, and make the U.S. power system more resilient, equitable, and inclusive. Innovator Fellows can spend up to two years participating in the program.

In the application, you will select up to 5 of your most preferred Host Institution projects from the website, https://orise.orau.gov/CEIF/hosts/default.html. If required by the Host Institution, you must be willing to relocate to the Host Institution's area.

Fellowship Details

Fellows will receive a competitive stipend, health insurance, and an annual allowance for professional development. Stipends are determined by degree level and years of relevant professional experience. Reimbursement of relocation expenses may also be provided, if applicable. Fellows will be supported on an ongoing basis by a designated mentor at their Host Institution who will provide guidance on the project(s) and their educational and professional development. Additional information can be found at https://orise.orau.gov/CEIF/.

Fellows are expected to begin their appointment in July or August 2024, on a rolling basis upon reviewing and signing an offer letter from ORISE (CEIF program administrator). The fellowship appointment is for one-year and may be renewed for a second year.

Nature of Fellowship Appointment

The Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), with funding also provided by DOE's Grid Deployment Office (GDO), Office of Indian Energy (IE), and Office of State & Community Energy Programs (SCEP). The program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

During the appointment, the Fellow will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, DOE, the Host Institution, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the Fellow will be considered a participant and affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.  

Only individuals meeting the following conditions will be considered:

• U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) residing in the United States or a U.S. Territory at the time of application and throughout the appointment period, even if remote. Evidence of U.S. Citizenship must be submitted to ORISE at the time the appointment is accepted.
• Residence: United States or a U.S. Territory
• At least 21 years old by the time of the application.
• Available to start the fellowship in July or August, 2024 (at DOE's discretion on the timing of the start date).

The fellowship is open to recent Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral graduates. Applicants pursuing a degree at the time of the application must show proof of completion of the degree before starting the appointment. Candidates must have an interest in areas such as clean energy development; distributed energy; electrification; equity and energy justice; essential grid services; grid resilience; regulation; and Tribal energy. If more than five years since receipt of degree, the applicant must have an academic background and experience in a relevant field and must be seeking to gain new knowledge/experience in order to expand career opportunities or to advance professionally.

A Complete Application Consists of:

1. A complete Zintellect profile and responses to opportunity specific application questions.
2. Transcripts/Academic Records - Recent unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted to complete the application, if a copy of the official transcript is not available at the time of application. Transcripts/Academic Records must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed/in progress coursework and grades. If you are selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your most recent official transcript showing proof of degree before the appointment can start.
3. Current Resume/CV (two-page limit), including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences.
4. One Academic or Professional Recommendation: The recommendation must be submitted through Zintellect and should address a candidate's academic and/or professional record and potential for success as a Fellow, as indicated by communication, motivation, and collaboration skills. Although only one recommendation is required, you are encouraged to enter more than one contact to request a recommendation since you need at least one recommendation in the system to count as part of the completed application. Applications without a recommendation will not be reviewed.  The recommendation must be received through Zintellect by May 10, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time Zone. 

NOTE: All documents must be submitted through Zintellect, and must be in English or include an official English translation. 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. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files to ensure the document can be searched by Zintellect’s search engine. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered.  

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• 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 (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age