Information for Applicants
Applications are accepted from current associate's, bachelor’s, or master’s level students, with participants selected by the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) mentor. Review the applicant information and program details below for more information and contact ORISE with any additional questions.
Additional Information
-
Eligibility
The MLEF Program is an educational and training program designed to provide associate's, bachelor’s, or master’s level students opportunities to participate in project-specific MLEF research and development activities.
Read more
- Be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
- Be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must be in the United States, its territories, or residing on a United States military base for the entire duration of the appointment, even if remote participation has been approved.
- 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 or university at the associate, bachelor’s, or master’s level at the time of application. Students enrolled in institutions outside of the U.S. are not eligible to apply.
- Be a college sophomore or higher 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 full 10-week program.
For questions about the application process, contact MLEF@hq.doe.gov.
-
How to Apply
The MLEF application process is a two-part process.
Read more
- Create a Zintellect Profile If you have applied to other ORISE programs using the Zintellect portal, you can 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.
- 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. Transcripts must reflect your current coursework to verify active enrollment at the time of application.
- 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.
- Provide contact information for two individuals who can serve as recommenders. The first recommendation should be from an academic source and the second recommendation can be either from an academic or professional source.
Consider attending a virtual information session! Register Now!
-
Important Dates
Read more
Event Date Student Application Deadline Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST Application Status Notification Mid/Late April 2026 Participant Orientation (virtual) May 2026 Participant Kick-off Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Program Dates Monday, June 1 to Friday, August 7, 2026 Technical Forum Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA -
Locations
The MLEF Program may offer in-person or virtual projects. 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.
Read more
The 10-week summer program may place students at one of several possible U.S. Department of Energy sites including but not limited to:
- U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters (DOE FECM)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
-
Tips for a Successful Application
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.
Read more
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 individuality; show us who you are and what makes you special.
To increase your chances of being selected for the MLEF program, we recommend:
- Reading the eligibility criteria carefully to make sure you can be considered for this program.
- Spending the necessary time on your essay responses and your resume.
- Answer each question.
- Effective and efficient writing is valued over quantity of writing.
- 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.
- Asking questions! Contact us at mlef@hq.doe.gov if something isn’t clear.
- SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION! We can’t select you if you don’t submit an application!
-
Stipend
Read more
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.
-
Kick-Off/Technical Forum
Read more
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: May 2026
- Kick-off: Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
- Technical Forum: Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most commonly asked by applicants.
Read more
General
The MLEF appointment starts on June 1 and ends on August 7, 2026. The MLEF virtual orientation will be held in May 2026.
There is a possibility that you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will start as soon as early February and will continue through the end of April.
Selected candidates will receive a phone call and email notifying them of their selection for the program. Candidates who are not selected for the program will be notified via email at the end of April.
If you accept an offer from the MLEF program, you agree to:
- Have coverage under a medical insurance plan for the duration of the program.
- Be available for the full 10 weeks of the program.
- Complete your research project.
- Travel to the Kick-off in Washington, D.C. and to the Technical Forum.
- Conduct a 10-minute presentation at the Technical Forum.
- Complete program evaluation at the beginning and end of the program.
Participants can be selected for one of several FECM sites including, but not limited to:
- U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters (DOE FECM)
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
No. Applicants are not able to select the appointment site. Mentors will make a selection based on an applicant’s qualifications and the needs of their site.
The MLEF Program may offer in-person or virtual projects based on the needs of the appointment site.
You can expect to complete a research project that aligns with the mission of DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to strengthen U.S. energy and critical minerals security.
Participants must be available for the following travel:
- Kick-off: Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
- Technical Forum: Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Participants are expected to be at their research site Monday through Friday with specific schedules to be determined by your mentor.
No, you do not need a security clearance.
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a DOE asset focusing on scientific research and educating the next generation of scientists. ORISE provides administrative support, event coordination and travel logistics for the MLEF program. Specifically, participants will primarily communicate with ORISE regarding stipends, travel, and lodging for the orientation and technical forum.
Technical Forum
The Technical Forum is the closing event for the program and takes place during the last week. Participants conduct a 10-minute presentation highlighting their project and research findings.
The Technical Forum is held during the last week of the program. For 2026, the dates will be from Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Yes. Participants are required to attend and present at the Technical Forum.
No. Travel from your appointment site to the Technical Forum is provided by the program. Lodging is also covered by the program. Participants must stay at the designated lodging site. Expenses will only be covered for the designated travel dates.
No, meals will not be provided. However, you are eligible to receive per diem to help defray the cost of meal expenses.
You will receive a stipend for the full 10 weeks of the program, including the Technical Forum.
Connect with ORISE… on the GO!
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
Find ORISE GO on…
