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Participating Offices and Laboratories

The following Department of Energy Offices participated in recent years. Their mission statement and/or sample projects provide an idea of the opportunities you might expect. Note that opportunities can vary widely with current needs and the interest and skill level of the intern, and new offices are already committed to participating this year.

Energy Information Administration

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. EIA is the nation's premier source of energy information, and, by law, its data, analyses, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government.

  • EIA Virtual Internship (2023)

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical and analytical agency within the Department of Energy. EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. You will research state-level energy topics and participate in other activities that support EIA’s State Energy Data System (SEDS) program, which integrates diverse energy data to create historical time series of energy production, consumption, prices, and expenditures by state for analytical and forecasting purposes. Activities may include: researching fuel ethanol blend rates for state fuel ethanol consumption estimations; developing code in R, Python, or SAS to process third-party data; helping perform quality control for the SEDS publication close-out process; creating dashboards in Tableau for Electric Vehicles or other data visualizations; incorporating SEDS data into EIA’s Today in Energy articles, State Energy Portal, or other written analysis. You will learn about standard business, statistical, and software processes used at EIA to integrate energy and economic statistics into state-level total energy data series, concepts, and visualizations, published on EIA’s website.

    EIA - Virtual Internship (2022)

    This project consists of evaluating the World Industrial Model (WIM) code in Python and optimizing and streamlining the code so that it runs more efficiently and is more transparent. You will modify said code, run tests, and evaluate results in conjunction with other members of the team. The specific part of the code you will first focus on involves the steel submodule and the long-term elasticity response to changing fuel prices. You will also have the opportunity to propose and execute improvements on the modeling methodology in WIM.

Office of Economic Impact and Diversity

The Office of Economic Impact and Diversity develops and executes Department-wide policies to implement applicable legislation and Executive Orders that strengthen diversity and inclusion goals affecting equal employment opportunities, small and disadvantaged businesses, minority educational institutions, and historically under-represented communities. 

Our mission is to identify and implement ways of ensuring that everyone is afforded an opportunity to participate fully in the Department of Energy's programs, opportunities, and resources.

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

EERE’s mission is to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, and ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans, creating good paying jobs for the American people—especially workers and communities impacted by the energy transition and those historically underserved by the energy system and overburdened by pollution. EERE includes offices such as:

  • Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office
  • Building Technologies Office
  • Water Power Technologies Office
  • Vehicle Technologies Office
  • Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) Internship (virtual or in-person) (2023)

    Marine Energy for Ocean Farming and Carbon Dioxide Removal The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) funds early-stage research and development of innovative technologies that generate renewable energy from water resources. Marine energy includes renewable energy generated from the movement of waves, tides, and currents, or from ocean gradients such as temperature and salinity differences. WPTO started an initiative called Powering the Blue Economy in 2019 that aims to develop marine renewable energy technologies in locations that cannot connect to the electric grid, such as remote coastal communities and in the open ocean. Equipment in the ocean such as oceanographic research devices and ocean farms could potentially benefit from marine energy to expand their capabilities and reduce their use of fossil fuels. WPTO is currently strategizing how to create programs that support marine energy research and development for ocean farms (also called marine aquaculture) that grow seaweed, shellfish, and finfish to produce sustainable seafood and/or provide ecosystem benefits, like carbon dioxide removal (CDR) for climate change mitigation. 

    Responsibilities of the Intern:

    All projects and responsibilities can be tailored to the intern’s interests and professional development goals. This position could be suited for a range of disciplines such as marine science, business, spatial planning, policy, and more. Previous experience in marine energy, aquaculture, or CDR is not required. Projects and responsibilities listed below are suggestions. 

    Potential Responsibilities:

    • Track U.S. and international marine aquaculture developments, news, reports, and research publications that could be relevant for marine energy integration into aquaculture
    • Track marine aquaculture and CDR funding opportunities (from government, philanthropists, and industry) to understand industry trends and technology gaps
    • Review and synthesize WPTO notes from informational meetings with stakeholders (federal agencies, researchers, Sea Grant staff, marine energy developers) to identify key themes (such as R&D needs, opportunities, and challenges; regions with high interest in marine energy and aquaculture)

    Potential End Products: 

    • Database (spreadsheet) of ocean aquaculture news, research, and developments that are relevant to marine energy, with key themes summarized
    • Memo, white paper, or other publication that summarizes major U.S. and/or international opportunities for marine energy co-location with aquaculture
    • Summary of trends in marine aquaculture and CDR funding opportunities, with gaps identified that could inform marine energy funding strategies
    • Database of marine aquaculture and CDR stakeholders that WPTO has interacted with, including major interests of those stakeholders

    Learning & Mentorship Opportunities:

    • Meet with WPTO staff, attend workshops and webinars, etc. to fulfill intern’s goals for professional development
    • Meet weekly (or more often as needed) with a mentor to determine project goals and tasks, discuss progress, and discuss other professional development goals

    EERE Vehicle Technology Office - On-site (2022)

    You will collect sector-wide data for non-road transportation that will be needed to better understand the industry progress toward decarbonization, provide inputs on decarbonization strategies for non-road transportation, specifically passenger and freight rail transportation, and analyze annual carbon reduction benefits resulting from these strategies. You will also receive occasional short-term assignments intended to reflect the day-to-day focus and responsibility associated with being a member of the VTO team. Opportunities for regular engagement with VTO staff and, potentially, VTO-supported researchers at the national labs to learn about vehicle technologies and to updates relevant to project research are anticipated. You are expected to make an ‘end of assignment presentation’ highlighting your work on non-road decarbonization, including recommendations on what carbon reduction strategies could be cost-effectively adopted in the mid- to long-term.

Office of Environmental Management

The EM mission is to complete the safe cleanup of environmental legacy resulting from five decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. EM is responsible for managing and directing the cleanup of contaminated nuclear weapons manufacturing and testing sites across the United States. Integral to that responsibility is the need to safely disposition large volumes of nuclear waste, safeguard and prepare for disposition of nuclear materials that could be used in nuclear weapons, deactivate and decommission several thousand radiologically and chemically contaminated facilities no longer needed to support the Department of Energy's mission and remediate extensive surface and groundwater contamination. 

  • EM SRS - Virtual (2022)

    You will participate in projects and activities in support of the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office for the Office of Safety and Quality Assurance (OSQA) Technical Support Division (TSD). The purpose of this internship is to provide students with an opportunity to apply their education to gain practical experience, while exposing them to the operations and mission of the OSQA. You will assist in oversight functions performed by TSD and will become knowledgeable about the Site implementation of the Work Control Process, and application of occupational safety requirements during maintenance activities across several nuclear and non-nuclear facilities.

    EM-SRS - On-site (2022)

    You will participate in projects and activities in support of the Managers Office, DOE Savannah River Operations Office. You will learn and support the Chief Engineer with local and headquarters interactions with Department Of Energy and Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board representatives. In addition, you will assist with senior level oversight functions being performed by the DOE SR Chief Engineer of multiple contractor organizations responsible of the overall mission at SRS. You will also participate in activities that support the Congressional Inquiry Manager with communicating the status of political programmatic activities, congressional site visits, major acquisitions community and stakeholder meetings, and Science, Technical, Engineering and Math (STEM). You will tour the various Government Owned Contractor Operated nuclear and laboratory facilities operated by specially trained contractor personnel.

Office of Fossil Energy

The mission of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is to minimize the environmental impacts of fossil fuels while working towards net-zero emissions. The Office’s programs use research, development, demonstration, and deployment approaches to advance technologies to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts of fossil fuel production and use, particularly the hardest-to-decarbonize applications in the electricity and industrial sectors. Priority areas of technology work include point-source carbon capture, hydrogen with carbon management, methane emissions reduction, critical mineral production, and carbon dioxide removal to address the accumulated CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. The Office recognizes that global decarbonization is essential to meeting climate goals and works to engage with international colleagues to leverage expertise in these areas. The Office is also committed to improving the conditions of communities impacted by the legacy of fossil fuel use and to supporting a healthy economic transition that accelerates the growth of good-paying jobs.

  • Fossil Energy and Carbon Management - Virtual (2022)

    You will learn about the business operations of a federal organization, with an emphasis on the administrative functions and their relation to execution and internal communication. The primary responsibility will be supporting the program manager for FECM’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program (MLEF). MLEF is one of the Department’s premier fellowship programs where students gain research experience in STEM. You will review our current marketing and social media strategies, and develop new and creative ways in which to market the program and attract applicants. In addition, you will assist with preparing for the start of the summer program which includes the orientation and kick-off. You will also assist with the Technical Forum which includes editing and formatting a program that highlights each participant.

Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence is responsible for all intelligence and counterintelligence activities throughout the DOE complex, including nearly thirty intelligence and counterintelligence offices nationwide.

The Office protects vital national security information and technologies, representing intellectual property of incalculable value. Our distinctive contribution to national security is the ability to leverage the Energy Department’s unmatched scientific and technological expertise in support of policymakers as well as national security missions in defense, homeland security, cyber security, intelligence, and energy security.

  • Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence - On-site (2022)

    You will be involved in developing open source intelligence analysis related to nuclear material security and pre-detonation nuclear material forensics. You will leverage open source intelligence tools of the same kind used by the intelligence community. Furthermore, you will engage with fellow IC CAE students in the DC area regarding other community events.

Office of International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs has primary responsibility for addressing international energy issues that have a direct impact on research, development, utilization, supply, and conservation of energy affecting the United States. 

Office of Management

The Mission of the Office of Management is to provide the Department of Energy with centralized direction and oversight for the full range of management, procurement and administrative services.

Office of Nuclear Energy

The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs.

  • Radiological and Environmental Sciences Lab On-site (2022)

    You will collaborate with a radiochemist to further refine an existing method for the determination of Iron-55 and Nickel-63 in soil. The natural content of the soil will be determined by dissolving using molten salt fusion techniques, separation and purification of the natural Iron and Nickel and radioactive Iron-55 and Nickel-63, and measuring the natural Iron and Nickel using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer and measuring the radioactive Iron-55 and Nickel-63 using state of the art Liquid Scintillation Analyzers.

Office of Science

The mission of DOE’s Office of Science is to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. The Office of Science includes the 17 National Laboratories and the Consolidated Service Centers, which play critical roles in Office of Science program execution and implementation by providing professional services in support of the entire federal Office of Science complex.

  • SC - Consolidated Service Center - Virtual (2022)

    You will participate in activities which:

    • Assist the grants specialists by performing portions of assignments (i.e., reviews assigned Procurement Requests/Requisitions).
    • Assist in the review of Recipient submissions of proposed procurement actions; and prepare and obtain pre-negotiation documentation and staff clearances.
    • Assist with assuring data in automated/manual information systems for assigned work is complete, current, and accurate.
    • Provide Closeout support for assigned Team Members.
    • Assist Team Members with Special Projects as needed.

    SC - Isotope R&D and Production - Virtual (2022)

    This project, as part of the Department of Energy Isotope Program (DOE IP), seeks to produce a framework for understanding isotope manufacturing activities involved in isotope supply chains that will be used to inform programmatic planning and policy making. The combined influence of various factors involved in manufacturing critical isotopes will be explored. The DOE IP produces and distributes critical isotopes in short supply to the Nation, stewards world-leading isotope production capabilities, maintains a cutting-edge research and development program, and supports training of the isotope workforce.

    National Renewable Energy Laboratory - On-site (2022)

    This project will focus on conversion of algae residues to high-value graphitic carbon suitable for use in Li ion batteries. The project will involve selection and optimization of graphitization catalysts and reaction conditions, purification of the graphite product, and/or characterization and testing of the purified graphite product.

    National Renewable Energy Laboratory - On-site (2022)

    NREL is developing a carbon management strategy in response to DOE’s Carbon Negative Shot, which calls for technologies and approaches that will remove CO2 from the atmosphere and durably store it at meaningful scales for less than $100/net metric ton of CO2-equivalent. You will participate in activities which support development of this strategy by performing literature reviews, supporting and contributing to technology whitepapers, and comparing technology options, spanning economic, social, and environmental impacts. You will work side-by-side with NREL’s Lab Program Manager for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and will get exposed to all facets of program leadership. You will make recommendations to the Lab Program Manager regarding NREL strategy and future directions, and these recommendations may then be implemented as part of your activities.

    ORNL - On-site (2022)

    You will be tasked with projects related to the strategy and performance group within the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Contracts Division. This includes supply chain analysis, working with procurement activities such as catalogs purchases, and helping develop solutions that create process efficiencies. This work will occur primarily within the ORNL Contracts Division within the Business Services Directorate. The directorate includes the Contracts, Accounting, Assurance and Assessment (Finance), Business Operations, Pension and Savings, Prime Contracts, and Information Technology Divisions.

    ORNL - On-site (2022)

    You will investigate the use of bacteria cellulose in fiber precursor manufacturing process. The feedstocks combination that shows promise will be used in composite systems to study their effect on thermomechanical, thermal, mechanical, interfacial, and/or chemorheology properties. The performance of the composite system will also be evaluated using various composite methods and testing mechanisms.

    SC - Nuclear Physics - Virtual (2022)

    You will: • Examine the 2022 portfolio of the Office of Nuclear Physics (NP) Early Career Research Award recipients and compare to prior years; create graphics and written summaries about the awardees, to be presented at an NP meeting. • Draft materials for outreach on NP funding opportunities. • Contact the National Labs, Centers of Excellence, and Universities’ communications offices to ask for high quality images of researchers at work, including checking that people in images are part of the work done at that location. • Compile data on the current NP community’s research areas, demographics, involvement in Department-wide initiatives, reviewer pools, and/or funding profiles and create materials to convey this information at meetings and workshops.

    SC - Consolidated Service Center - On-site (2022)

    You will serve your internship at the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Office of Grants and Cooperative Agreements, where you will
    • Review and assist with administering Continuations and No Cost Extensions
    • Prepare New and Renewal grants for review
    • Research and Interpret grant laws, regulations, policies and procedures for specific programs and situations
    • Apply knowledge of organizational needs, deadlines and consistent follow-up to ensure receipt of required documentation
    • Track and maintain Closeout status reports

Office of Nuclear Physics

The Office of Nuclear Physics in the Department of Energy (DOE's) Office of Science supports the experimental and theoretical research needed to create this roadmap. This quest requires a broad approach to different, but related, scientific frontiers: improving our understanding of the building blocks of matter; discovering the origins of nuclei; and identifying the forces that transform matter.

Office of Electricity

The mission of the Office of Electricity (OE) is to ensure that the nation’s energy delivery system is secure, resilient, and reliable. OE works to develop new technologies to improve the infrastructure that brings electricity into our homes, offices, and factories. Through a mix of technology and policy solutions, OE is harnessing innovation for a stronger, more reliable energy system.

  • OE - Grid Systems and Components Division – Virtual (2024), 2 intern opportunities available

    You will have the opportunity to be involved in two of the top programs of the Grid Systems and Components Division:  The Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components (TRAC) program and Applied Grid Transformation Solution (AGTS) program. TRAC focuses on accelerating modernization of the grid by addressing challenges with transformers, Solid State Power Substations (SSPS), High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC), and other critical grid hardware components. The AGTS program technologies include grid software, hardware, and systems. The program manager is in the process of announcing demonstration projects in collaboration with other DOE members and outreach activities (e.g. webinars, summits) to help disseminate the data (e.g. technical results, economic benefits). 

    Learning & Mentorship Opportunities:

    • Understanding the grid.
    • Training about the electric grid as it relates to the project.
    • Identifying sources of information for the project.
    • Research, analysis, and initial drafts of report and final presentation.
    • Presentation of findings to OE Team and Leadership.
    • Work closely with Project Engineers receiving on-the-job training.
    • Attend meetings, virtual and in person; web presentations, and even social events hosted twice a month.

Additional Offices who have hosted MEISPP interns in past years:


"I had an amazing experience working with my hosting office (Water Power Technologies Office), and my involvement in the ongoing research within the EERE has only affirmed my desire to continue my work in this field. Since completing my MEISPP internship, I have been able to incorporate my marine renewable energy research experience into an engineering design capstone project at my university. It is so exciting to know that my MEISPP internship experience is already enriching other areas of my academic and professional career."
-Franny Anunobi, graduate student, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Water Power Technologies Office