Frequently Asked Questions

To apply, you may upload unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed from internal institutional systems. If selected, you will have to provide copies of official transcripts before you can start an appointment.

Please check that the document you upload provides the following required information:

• student name
• name of the academic institution
• enrollment during the academic term at the time of application
• current/completed/enrolled courses
• grades, including most recent cumulative GPA
• degree in progress

If you are a first semseter student and do not yet have any completed college courses, please wait until your Fall semester grades are available before submitting your application. If you attend a school that does not provide traditional grades, please ask them to provide a conversion option for the application. If they do not provide anything, we will apply our own conversion table.

No, unfortunately the U.S. Department of Energy does not accept students who are not U.S. citizens.

Each participating office within the U.S. Department of Energy selects its own interns based on the alignment of office/project needs and applicant qualifications. You are encouraged to accurately reflect your interests and abilities on the MEISPP application.

You are responsible for your own medical/health insurance. Insurance is available to participants through ORISE; contact ORISE if you do not have insurance and are interested in the policies we offer.

If you are serving an in-person internship that is more than 50 miles from your current address, MEISPP provides up to $1000 to cover limited inbound and outbound travel expenses. ORISE may help with making your travel arrangements.

We strongly recommend that out-of-state Washington, D.C. based interns do not bring their personal vehicles to participate in the program. Interns at other sites should inquire about the need or desirability of having a personal vehicle. For those who do opt to drive, mileage is reimbursable at the government rate for up to $1000.

You are responsible for arranging your own housing accommodations. For the summer session, a stipend supplement based on your assigned location will be provided. The housing options will depend on the host facility and the local options. Some sites have secured housing or have onsite housing that may be available to you; other sites will require you to find housing on your own, although most sites generally provide information to help you.

You are responsible for arranging your own daily transportation to and from work. MEISPP provides a $50/week supplement to help cover your commute costs. In Washington, D.C., interns have easy access to the metro rail, metro bus, and taxi service. Some intern sites, particularly those at National Laboratories, are not easily accessible by public transportation. The labs have Laboratory Education Directors who will be able to provide advice on transportation needs and options.

You will receive a bi-weekly stipend from the first day to the last day of participation. However, you are encouraged to plan accordingly and bring enough money to cover transportation, meals, and miscellaneous expenses for the first 30 days. A payroll schedule will be provided.

Depending on your placement within the U.S. Department of Energy or its National Laboratories, you may be asked to travel to attend meetings, conferences, or site visits. Everyone will be asked to travel to Washington, D.C. for the orientation meeting. Travel expenses will be covered by your sponsoring office or lab, as long as they fall with allowable requirements.

You may visit the U.S. Department of Energy website at www.energy.gov.

You will be required to pass a security screening and test in order to participate in the program and receive your badge to access DOE buildings and facilities.

Please note that the selection of interns is not premised upon racial factors or preference, nor are individuals penalized based upon racial factors.

For the undergraduate and graduate internships, students must attend an eligible Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and be enrolled full-time as a student in the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters, or must have graduated from an eligible MSI during the past two years - Spring 2022 or later.

Sponsoring offices and labs will determine whether internships will be virtual or in-person. You are welcome to share your preference in your application. Interns participating remotely must be located inside the United States.