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The Energy Innovator Fellowship is seeking talented candidates with an interest in advancing solutions for critical energy organizations. Innovator Fellows will engage in hands-on learning experience supporting projects that the Host Institutions identify as solutions that will modernize the power system, improve energy infrastructure for transportation and industry, and make the U.S. power system more reliable, affordable, and resilient. Innovator Fellows can spend up to two years participating in the program.

When completing this application, you will select up to 5 preferred Host Institution projects (summaries of each project listed here: https://orise.orau.gov/eif/applicants/host-institution-list.html. Host Institutions may require in-person participation (on-site or hybrid). The Fellow location specified by the Host Institution can be found within the summary. If you are not willing to relocate, do not select Host Institutions requiring relocation.

Fellowship Details

Fellows will receive a competitive stipend, health insurance, and an annual allowance for professional development. Stipends are determined by degree level at the start of the appointment and years of relevant, professional experience. Reimbursement of relocation expenses may also be provided, if applicable (e.g., relocation of less than 50 miles does not qualify). A mentor is assigned to support each Fellow at their Host Institution and will provide guidance on the project(s) and professional development. More information about the Fellow application, including stipend rates, can be found at https://orise.orau.gov/EIF/applicants/default.html.

Fellows should expect to begin their appointment during August 2025. The Fellow and Mentor may mutually agree upon a start date; however, the Mentor and Host Institution make the final decision. A Fellow cannot start prior to receiving and signing the offer letter from ORISE. The fellowship appointment is for one year, with the option to renew for a second year.

Nature of Fellowship Appointment

The Energy Innovator Fellowship program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with funding provided by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) and the Office of Indian Energy (IE). The program is managed by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

During the appointment, the Fellow will not enter 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 management 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).

• Evidence of U.S. Citizenship or LPR status must be submitted to ORISE at the time the appointment is accepted.

• Must reside in the United States or a U.S. Territory throughout the appointment, even if participating remotely.

• At least 18 years old by the time of the application.

• Available to start the fellowship during the month of August 2025.  (Start date is at DOE's discretion).

The fellowship is open to recent Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral graduates and energy professionals who have received their degree within the last 5 years as of June 30, 2025. 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 energy development; distributed energy resources; electrification and load growth; energy affordability and access; grid resilience and energy security planning; system planning; and Tribal energy. 

A Complete Application Consists of:

1. A complete Zintellect profile and responses to opportunity specific application questions.

2. Transcripts/Academic Records - Most recent unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records (for the relevant degree) 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, and be for the degree which you are applying with. If selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your most recent official transcript that clearly indicates your degree was conferred or received before the appointment can begin. 

3. Current Resume/CV (two-page limit), including academic history, employment history, and relevant professional 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 an Innovator Fellow, as indicated by communication, motivation, and collaboration skills. This should be a professional or an academic reference from a person in a supervisory role (e.g., manager, professor, teacher's assistant). 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 June 13, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (Noon) 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.

Please submit your application through the Zintellect website using the reference code DOE-EIF-CANDIDATE-2025