To apply 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 Equitable Community Solar and Energy Assistance 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 Equitable Community Solar and Energy Assistance Fellowship (ECSEAF) offers fellows the opportunity to learn and collaborate with state organizations on the pilot test of the Clean Energy Connector. This online tool, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), aims to make community solar subscriptions that include verified savings and strong consumer protections more accessible to households participating in government-run low-income support programs, beginning with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The fellowship will enable talented candidates from diverse backgrounds to spend up to two years embedded within host organizations in participating pilot regions for an immersive learning opportunity. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, fellows will learn and engage with community solar and LIHEAP program offices on the pilot phase of the Connector, which may include: (1) Liaising between the community solar and LIHEAP programs to increase state capacity, collaboration, and coordination in order to pilot the Connector; (2) learning to create and provide education and outreach materials for income-verified household enrollment in low-income community solar subscriptions, (3) learning to engage with community solar subscription managers to encourage their participation on the Connector, and (4) participating in the growth and expansion of the Connector as opportunities arise.

Individuals who are self-motivated, can participate both independently and with a team, and have experience with complex projects are encouraged to apply. More specifically, the Massachusetts Department of Energy is seeking a fellow with experience and interest coordinating with internal and external parties, as well as drafting or coauthoring policy memos, preparing slide decks, or other materials communicating complex concepts or technical information. The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources is seeking a fellow who could collaborate closely with the office on all aspects of the state’s community solar program and engage closely with stakeholders. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission and Maryland Public Service Commission are both seeking fellows with experience and interest in stakeholder engagement and community outreach and education.

Available Host Institutions

In the application, you will indicate your preferred host institution from the list below. You must be willing to relocate to the host facility's area, if selected:

• Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources –https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-energy-resources (Boston, MA)
• Maryland Public Service Commission – https://www.psc.state.md.us/ (Baltimore, MD)
• New Mexico Public Regulation Commission – https://www.nm-prc.org/ (Santa Fe, NM)
• Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources – https://energy.ri.gov/ (Providence, RI)

Fellowship Details

The fellowship appointment is initially for one-year, renewable for a second year contingent upon availability of funding, with opportunities for peer-to-peer engagement provided for each cohort. Fellows receive a stipend, health insurance allowance, and a generous allowance for professional development. Stipends are determined by highest degree level received, years of relevant professional experience, and location.

• For Massachusetts, stipends begin at $56,000 for a bachelors degree and $68,000 for a masters degree
• For Maryland, stipends begin at $56,000 for a bachelors degree and $68,000 for a masters degree
• For New Mexico, stipends begin at $50,000 for a bachelors degree and $61,000 for a masters degree
• For Rhode Island, stipends begin at $56,000 for a bachelors degree and $68,000 for a masters degree

For those with significant academic background and/or professional experience following their degree, stipends will be determined on an individual basis.

Nature of Fellowship Appointment

The Equitable Community Solar and Energy Assistance Fellowship program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). 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 program participant and will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. 

The fellowship is open to individuals with degrees in fields relevant to clean energy, energy affordability, communications and education, and/or community engagement. Fellowship candidates should have an interest in the application of clean energy, energy assistance, and/or education and outreach. 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 future career opportunities or to advance professionally. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in project or program management, with experience in community solar or LIHEAP.

Selection Criteria

In addition to the merit criteria, the Selection Official may consider program policy factors in determining which applications to select. For candidates, program criteria include motivation and their academic or professional qualifications.

Merit Review Criteria

• Degree to which the candidate has the training and qualifications required to undertake the fellowship project and learning objectives.
• Degree to which the candidate’s application is clearly articulated, with appropriate levels of experience, education, and/or training.
• Degree to which the candidate is highly motivated, takes initiative, and can operate independently while under the guidance of a mentor.

Program Policy Factors

• Applications may be selected based on specific skill sets identified by each host institution.
• Applications may be selected to ensure diversity of the overall Equitable Community Solar and Energy Assistance Fellowship cohort (geographic diversity, diversity of prior experience, and a diversity of colleges and universities).
• Applications may be selected that best reflect & engage local communities in their host institution’s jurisdiction or service territory.

The application is open from December 4 through December 30, 2024. Ideally, fellows will start on March 3, 2025. Only completed applications will be reviewed. 

A Complete Application Consists of:

• Complete Zintellect profile and responses to opportunity specific application questions.
• 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 start of the fellowship appointment.
• Current Resume/CV (two-page limit), including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences.
• One Academic or Professional Recommendation: The recommendation should address a candidate's academic record and potential for success and learning development as a fellow, as indicated by communication, motivation, and collaboration skills, and must be submitted through Zintellect.  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.

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 )
  • 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 of age

I understand that if I am selected, I will be expected to participate on-site.