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The Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Graduate Research Fellowship (managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education) will strengthen the pool of well-trained, diverse PhD scholars who are equipped for research-intensive building technologies careers across all sectors. IBUILD Fellows will receive research and educational support to conduct innovative research at their home institution in an area with demonstrated relevance to building decarbonization.  In addition to funding high quality research, the fellowship will provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

The US Department of Energy Building Technologies Office (BTO) develops, demonstrates, and accelerates the adoption of cost-effective technologies, techniques, tools and services that enable high-performing, energy-efficient and demand-flexible residential and commercial buildings in both the new & existing buildings markets, in support of an equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system by 2050, starting with a decarbonized power sector by 2035.

What will I be doing? You will get to advance your Graduate Research by receiving research and educational support to conduct innovative research at your home institution in an area with demonstrated relevance to building decarbonization. To ensure an impactful fellowship, you will also gain professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

Why should I apply? In addition to advancing your graduate research, you will 1) enhance your education and training in building technologies fields; 2) increase your marketability in these disciplines; 3) gain access to top scientists in the building energy efficiency and decarbonization field; 4) gain insight into research and career opportunities through your research experiences.

Where will I be located? The IBUILD Fellowship is designed to support research at your home college or university. IBUILD Fellows may have occasional trips to the BTO office or appropriate lab, when applicable. 

The details:

You will receive a competitive stipend of $35,000, an allowance to offset the costs of health insurance up to $21,000, research travel and materials up to $12,000, and limited tuition allowance up to $25,000.

Fellowship will be awarded in 12 months increments based on an annual review of research progress and sustained alignment with designated BTO research areas. The appointment is eligible for renewal up to three years based on funding availability. 

Participation Eligibility:

You must meet the following criteria to participate in the program:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
• Be enrolled or intend to enroll as a full-time doctoral graduate student by September 1, 2025 at a qualified program requiring a research thesis/dissertation at an accredited U.S. college or university. Proof of enrollment will be required before a Fellowship can start.
• Have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.

Program Website: https://ibuildfellowship.ornl.gov/

Information Webinar: Please note that there will be an information session that was hosted on October 7^th, 2024 @ 3:00pm ET. To register for the webinar please follow the link. https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_2d7plc6zT3eI83boCEerQQ

Students may apply for and are eligible to participate in the program at multiple times during their graduate studies. 

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records provided by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Document must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, courses completed and/or in progress, grades and degree earned/expected. Alternatively, an acceptance letter to the program may be submitted by applicants who are intending to enroll in a PhD program requiring thesis. Selected students must provide proof of enrollment in a PhD program requiring a thesis before the start of the fellowship.
• Research Plan (2 page maximum including references)
• A current resume/CV (1 page limit including references)
• Two relevant letters of recommendations. These letters should address the applicant’s academic record and potential for success in an appointment, as indicated by demonstrated intellectual merit, communication, and teamwork skills. Applicants must provide one letter from a faculty/research advisor and the other from a person of their choice.

For detailed information regarding Application Components, including requirements for the Proposed Research Plan, visit https://ibuildfellowship.ornl.gov/

For guidance about the US Department of Energy Buildings Technologies Office areas of interest, visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-technologies-office

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered. All supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files so the document can be searched by Zintellect's search engine. Scanned items are not optimal for search engines. PDF must not require special certificates or passwords to open. Max file size is 10MB. 

If you have questions, please send an email to IBUILD@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • 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 (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age