Submission materials

• Completed application questions
• Resume
• Transcript/Academic Records
• One letter of recommendation is required (additional letters are encouraged). 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. 

We invite you to review the information session recording below to learn more about the program. 

https://vimeo.com/1021038328/772e2660ed

Please contact us at DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov for any questions.

The Solar Manufacturing Internship for Leaders in Energy (SMILE) Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).  SMILE will provide an opportunity for students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to intern at SETO portfolio companies. Students will participate in professional development programming in addition to their core assignments, which will provide the opportunity to engage and learn about the development of innovative solar energy technologies. Appointments will be offered through the EERE Research Participation Program. 

The internships will be held for up to 10-weeks during the 2025 summer with a tentative start date of June 2, 2025. Internships will be served on-site (remote appointments may be considered on a case-by-case basis). Potential host sites will include solar energy manufacturing small businesses and nonprofits located across the U.S.

Financial Support

• Stipend: $850 per week for full-time participation based on 40 hours per week.
• Housing Supplement: $150/week for participants will be provided, if eligible. Additionally, a housing stipend increase may be provided to offset high cost of living in certain locations.
• Local Transportation: $30/week
• Inbound/Outbound Transportation Allowance: Up to $1,200 for participants who relocate more than fifty miles, one way, from their assigned internship site to offset transportation expenses to/from the assigned internship site. If the participant travels by plane or train, ORISE will make travel arrangements and purchase the plane or train tickets.
• You may be required to travel to Washington, DC for scheduled professional development activities. You will be allocated a travel/education allowance of up to $2,000 to cover those expenses.

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.

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!

If you have any questions, please contact Cedricka Harris at DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov.

This opportunity is open to undergraduates who meet the following qualifications:

• Attend a Minority Serving Institution (https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/pdf/2023-2024%20MSI%20List.pdf).
• Be a United States citizen, or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) at the time of application. Evidence of U.S. citizenship or LPR status must be submitted to ORISE at the time appointment is accepted.
• Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible Minority Serving Institution (MSI).
• Have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate coursework at the time of application and be planning to enter the next year or semester/quarter of their undergraduate studies after the summer of 2025. 
• Be available to conduct the summer internship at the external hosting facility for ten weeks.
• Have coverage under a health insurance plan before arriving at the internship site and maintain coverage for the duration of the appointment.

• 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 (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 6/1/2025