General

The MLEF appointment starts on: Monday, June 3, 2024 and ends on Friday, August 9, 2024. The MLEF virtual orientation will be held in early/mid May 2024.

There is 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 are agreeing to:

  • Have coverage under a medical insurance plan for the duration of the program.
  • Be available for the full ten weeks of the program.
  • Complete your research project.
  • Travel to the Kick-off/Orientation 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:

Location will be determined by the host site.

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.  

You can expect to complete a research project that aligns with the mission of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to minimize the climate and environmental impacts of fossil fuel use while working towards net-zero emissions.

Participants must be available for the following travel:

  • Orientation: Held virtually early/mid May 2024
  • Kick-off: On Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Washington, D.C. 
  • Technical Forum: Monday, August 5 to Thursday, August 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Specific schedules will 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.

Yes. You will need to have a government issued photo ID to be able to travel by airplane. Also, you may need to present a social security card or U.S. Passport upon your arrival to the appointment site. Specific forms of ID needed will be shared by the appointment site if selected.

Technical Forum

The Technical Forum is the closing event for the program and takes place during the last week. Participants conduct a 10-minute present highlighting their project and research findings.

The Technical Forum is held during the last week of the program. For 2024, the dates will be from Monday, August 5 to Thursday, August 8, 2024 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 are 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 10 weeks of the program, including the Forum.

Housing

Yes, it is the participant’s responsibility to find and arrange their own housing prior to the start of the program. It is strongly recommended that housing arrangements be finalized at least four weeks prior to your move-in date.

No. The program does not pay for housing. However, participants who are selected for an appointment that is more than 50 miles from their permanent address may be authorized to receive a housing subsidy. The subsidy cannot be used to offset your permanent housing costs.

The housing subsidy is intended to offset the cost of short-term housing if you need to move out of your permanent housing to participate in the program. The amount of the housing subsidy depends on the appointment site and is determined using a cost of living multiplier. The housing subsidy is provided for nine-weeks to eligible participants.

You should arrange your housing with a move-in date of May 2024 and a move-out date of August 2024 for a total of nine weeks. During the last and tenth week of the program, you will stay at the designated hotel for the Technical Forum; therefore, you do not need housing for that time nor will you received a housing subsidy for the last week of the program. 

Travel and Local Transportation

No. You are responsible for transportation at your appointment site. This includes transportation to and from your summer housing to the appointment site. 

The program will pay for travel costs directly associated with your participation in the program. This includes:

  • One trip from your permanent address to Washington D.C., for the orientation
  • One trip from Washington D.C., to the appointment site
  • One trip from the appointment site to the Technical Forum
  • One trip from the Technical Forum to your permanent address

Participants have the option to drive from their permanent address to their appointment site. Reimbursement for mileage will be at the current government rate using the most direct route according to Rand McNally. Reimbursement for mileage will only be made for travel in your personal vehicle for up to a maximum of $600 each way.