Frequently Asked Questions

Marine Energy applications are reviewed (and offers are made) two times per year with the first application deadline being December 6, 2024, 5pm EST and the second application period on March 7, 2025, 5 pm EST. Recommendations for the 1 st application period must be received by Friday, December 13, 2024, 5pm EST. and Friday, March 14, 2025, 5pm EST for the 2 nd application period for your application to be considered. 

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 2024 term.

Records are required showing current enrollment in a master’s and doctoral 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 2024 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 master’s and doctoral program requiring thesis or dissertation.

Yes! Any degree, bachelor’s or higher, obtained within 24 months of the application deadline is eligible.

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.

You are still eligible to apply pending proof of graduation. This document must be submitted before the start of the appointment. Applicants who are enrolled in a degree program at the time of the application, but will graduate prior to the start of the appointment, will receive a conditional offer pending proof of graduation.

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.

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.

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.

Summer start dates are May-July 2025

Fall start dates are August-September 2025

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.