Before starting the application, please read through this information to ensure you are eligible for the MLEF program and are aware of the required information needed to be considered.

Technical Assistance

If you experience any technical difficulties with the online system, please contact Pai Moua at MLEFAdmin@orau.org.

For questions about the application process, contact MLEF@hq.doe.gov.

  • Be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.
  • Be currently enrolled full-time as a degree-seeking student in a STEM program at an accredited college/university at the Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s level. Students enrolled in institutions outside of the U.S. are not eligible to apply.
  • Must be deemed at least a college sophomore by your college/university at the time of application. Must have completed at least one year as a matriculated undergraduate student at the time of applying. Advanced Placement credits or other undergraduate credits obtained prior to undergraduate enrollment cannot be applied to meet the minimum one-year completion requirement.
  • Be available to participate in the 10-week program.

Event Date
Student Application Deadline January 22, 2024 11:59pm EST
Application Status Notification Mid/Late April 2024
Participants Orientation (virtual)  Early/mid May 2024
Participant Kick-off and Welcome Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C. 
Program Dates Monday, June 3 to Friday, August 9, 2024
Technical Forum Monday, August 5 to Thursday, August 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA

The MLEF application process is a two-part process. 

  1. Create a Zintellect Profile
    If you have applied to other ORISE programs using the Zintellect portal, you can just log in to your account and skip to Step 2, MLEF Online Application. Creating a profile allows you to save basic information such as your name, contact information and educational history. If you apply to more than one program using Zintellect, you will not need to re-enter this data. 
  2. MLEF Online Application
    The second part of the application process consists of answering questions and submitting documents specific to the MLEF program. This includes:
    • Current resume
    • Short-answer responses to essay questions
    • Unofficial transcripts: Submit unofficial transcripts for current and past institutions attended.  Transcripts must include name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed/in progress coursework and grades. 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.
      • First-year graduate students must submit their undergraduate transcript, including the last two years of courses, degree, and date degree was awarded.
      • Transfer students must submit transcripts from previous institution.
    • Providing contact information for two individuals who can serve as references. The first reference should be from an academic source and the second reference can be either from an academic or professional source.

The MLEF program is looking for students who are willing to expand their horizons and knowledge, be it in their field of study or another area of STEM. We value a combination of academic success, experience, and leadership potential that is demonstrated in your academic record, work experience, drive to further your education and involvement in professional associations; student groups, volunteer activities, military service, and/or extracurricular activities.  The MLEF program values diversity; show us who you are and what makes you special.

To increase your chances of being selected for the MLEF program, we recommend:

  1. Reading the eligibility criteria carefully to make sure you can be considered for this program.
  2. Spending the necessary time on your essay responses and your resume. 
    • Answer each question.
    • Effective and efficient writing is valued over quantity of writing.
  3. Ensuring that everything you submit is grammatically correct, clearly expressed and neatly organized.
    • Write a draft, edit it repeatedly, and ask someone whose judgement you trust to read it and make suggestions for improvement.
    • Use a word processor to draft your answers and then copy and paste to the application.
  4. Asking questions!  Contact us at mlef@hq.doe.gov if something isn’t clear.
  5. SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION!  We can’t select you if you don’t submit an application! You must go back and hit the ‘submit’ button once you have provided email addresses for your references. You will receive an e-mail once the application is submitted.

The MLEF program provides stipends to Participants based on academic level.

  • Undergraduate students receive a stipend of $7,500 for the 10-week program
  • Master’s students receive a stipend of $8,500 for the 10-week program

Some Participants may be authorized to receive an additional allowance to offset the cost of housing and travel expenses. This allowance may not cover the full cost of housing or travel to the program site.

Selections are based on a student’s qualifications and the needs of the appointment site/location. Proximity to the host is not factored during the selection process. The 10-week summer program may place students at one of several possible U.S. Department of Energy sites including but not limited to:

Participants will be required to attend all orientation activities, which may include travel to a meeting location other than their appointment site. At the conclusion of the program, Participants are required to attend a week-long technical forum where they will present their research findings and participate in all other scheduled forum activities. Travel costs for required events will be covered by the program.

Dates

  • Virtual Orientation: Early/mid May 2024
  • Kick-off and Welcome: Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C. 
  • Technical Forum: Monday, August 5 to Thursday, August 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical ability, genetic information, sexual orientation or covered veteran's status.

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