Applications will be accepted between September and December, with application period closing in December. Selections will be made by March, and participants are expected to start their appointment period in June. There are several steps that must be completed before you can receive an appointment letter.

You must be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident to participate in the program.

You must be enrolled as a full-time doctoral graduate student at a qualified program requiring a research thesis/dissertation at an accredited U.S. college or university. If you are participating in an exchange program and attending a foreign institution, you must provide proof that you are enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university during the Fall 2023 term.

Records are required showing current enrollment in a MS or Ph.D. program requiring thesis/dissertation. Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records provided by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcripts or academic records must include courses in progress during the 2023 Fall term. If your transcripts or academic records do not list the thesis/dissertation requirement, then you must provide separate documentation.

Alternatively, a letter from authorized academic department official or other document issued/authorized by the academic institution confirming your enrollment may be submitted. Letter or document must include your name and official university markings such as the registrar’s signature, university logo or stamp, letterhead or watermark, signature of the authorized official, etc. and confirmation that you are enrolled in a MS or Ph.D. program requiring thesis or dissertation.

ORISE staff will prescreen applications to ensure that all required materials have been received and that you meet all qualifications for participation in the program. Eligible applications are then reviewed by independent subject matter experts. Results from reviewers are then shared with WPTO, who makes final selections and notifies ORISE. ORISE will notify you if you are selected for the program.

The minimum appointment period for this program is six months at the identified hosting facility in person or virtually.

It is your responsibility to identify and secure a hosting facility and mentor currently conducting or directing research in an area of importance to WPTO. For more information about WPTO, visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/water-power-technologies-office.

WPTO is committed to developing and deploying a portfolio of innovative technologies for clean, domestic power generation from resources such as hydropower, waves, and tides. For more information about WPTO priorities, visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/about-water-power-technologies-office-WPTO.

Please ensure that all of the necessary application materials have been received and that you have the necessary educational qualifications. Successful applicants will have a research plan that is well thought out and clearly aligns with WPTO areas of importance as well as a strong commitment from their mentor and hosting institution.

You, along with your mentor at the hosting institution, will be responsible for any changes made to the research plan. Changes to your research plan should be approved by the hosting institution mentor and should not fall outside areas of importance to WPTO. Final approval and acceptance of the change in research plan must come from WPTO.

Two recommendations are required. At least one recommendation must be from your Academic Advisor at your home institution. You should obtain your other recommendation from a person who is familiar with your educational and professional qualifications.

No. you must be enrolled as a full-time Master’s or Doctoral graduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university.

If your address is outside a radius of 50 miles one way from your appointment location, you will be reimbursed for limited inbound transportation expenses.

Reasonable accommodations can be made if you intend to travel prior to the start of your appointment. These are handled on a case by case basis.

We do not advise you to do this. Doing so may result in non-reimbursable expenses. Your appointment is not official until you formally accept the appointment offer.

You may apply for and be eligible to participate in different ORISE programs during your graduate studies.

Participants will receive a stipend payment once a month in the amount of $2,950.00 when pursuing a doctoral degree and $2,500 when pursuing a master’s degree.

To be on appointment, participants are required to have continuous coverage under a health insurance plan and provide proof of coverage to ORISE. A stipend supplement will be provided to offset the cost of a health insurance plan up to $1,737.94/month. This stipend supplement will be based on monthly out-of-pocket health insurance premium expenses up to the approved amount upon receipt of the appropriate documentation.