Information for Applicants
Applications are accepted from current students, recent graduates, and U.S. college/university faculty with participants selected by the USGS mentor. Review the applicant information and program details below for more information and contact ORISE with any additional questions.
Additional Information
-
Eligibility
The Science Education Programs at NETL are educational and training programs designed to provide college students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to participate in project-specific NETL research and developmental activities.
Read more
Because of the educational nature of these programs, participants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Students must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. pre-college, college or university pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), and must maintain satisfactory progress in academic coursework.
- Postgraduates must have received their degree in an appropriate STEM discipline within five years of the appointment start date, or must complete all requirements for such a degree prior to the desired start date.
- Faculty must be full-time faculty from an accredited U.S. pre-college, college or university.
- Established scientists interested in new research training activities will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the NETL program coordinator and ORISE management staff.
Applications will be considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.
The program is typically open to qualified U.S. citizens, foreign citizens who are eligible to participate as J-1 Exchange Visitors, and foreign citizens eligible for other visa categories approved by NETL and ORISE. However, a few NETL locations may only appoint U.S. citizens due to the sensitive nature of the research performed and/or restricted facility access. Any such restrictions will be clearly stated in the project description of the opportunity posting. For more information on eligibility requirements for non-U.S. citizens, please see Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens.
-
Prior to Starting the Appointment
Once a National Energy Technology Laboratory mentor has selected you for a project, you will need to complete several steps before you can begin your appointment.
Read more
Required Application Materials
- ORISE application through Zintellect
- Current résumé or CV
- Unofficial transcript is required for an application. If selected for an appointment, an official transcript will be required.
- Two references from persons who are familiar with the candidate’s educational qualifications (including a reference from a current or past faculty member if possible)
The general steps are outlined below:
- All appointments must be approved by NETL. After approval, NETL sends ORISE authorization to appoint the research participant and specify the funds, which will cover the costs of the appointment.
- ORISE will send you an appointment letter. The letter is an agreement between you and ORISE. You must return the required paperwork before you begin your appointment. Please note that you must have health insurance in place no later than the first day of your appointment.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, you must consult with ORAU immigration staff to ensure that you have the necessary authorizations for participation before beginning your appointment. See Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens for more information.
-
Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens
In this section you will find information which is intended to be used as a guide. If selected to participate, ORISE Immigration Services is required to verify your immigration status eligibility.
Read more
There are various types of immigration statuses that allow foreign nationals to participate in some Research Participation Programs where U.S. citizenship is not required. Generally, participants are not required to hold U.S. citizenship. However, a few NETL locations may have restricted areas that may only allow U.S. citizens access due to the sensitive nature of the research performed.
For more information please visit the ORISE Immigration website.
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions most commonly asked by applicants.
Read more
You can check the status of your application by logging in to the application system. “ORISE Reviewed” means your application has been reviewed by ORISE and released to NETL. Released applications are entered into an Applicant Pool for all NETL hosts to review.
Yes - your references will be attached to all of your applications.
Participants receive a monthly stipend to help defray living and other expenses during the appointment. Stipend rates are determined by NETL, and are based on the participant’s educational level. Some mentors may also award relocation, a travel allowance, and/or a health insurance stipend.
Every participant is required to have health insurance on the first day of the appointment and throughout the duration of the program. Participants may not be present at NETL facilities if their insurance coverage lapses.
Individual, individual plus one, or family insurance coverage may be purchased through ORISE, or participants may obtain another insurance plan from the company of their choice.
Non-citizens with appropriate immigration statuses are eligible for most NETL appointments. Generally, participants are not required to hold U.S. citizenship. However, a few NETL offices may have restricted areas that may only allow U.S. citizens access due to the sensitive nature of the research performed.
If you anticipate receiving your degree shortly, then you may apply. If you are selected, you will be required to show proof of degree completion before beginning the appointment.
Initial appointments are usually made for a maximum of one year. They may be extended up to a maximum total of five years, based upon program needs, funding availability, and participant eligibility. Shorter appointments are also available, based upon program needs and candidate availability. Many project descriptions state the expected duration of the appointment.
Two references are required. Use your discretion as to whether additional references will strengthen your application by highlighting aspects of your background that were not addressed elsewhere. Selection officials will not be able to see your application until at least one reference has been submitted.
You should obtain recommendations from people familiar with your educational and professional qualifications. At least one recommender should be a professor or other individual who can comment on your educational experience.
Participants are selected by the NETL mentor at NETL from the pool of fully submitted and qualified applications to the posting in Zintellect. ORISE staff will prescreen applications to ensure that all required materials have been received and that the participant has attained the required educational level, but are not otherwise involved in the selection process. The mentor will review applications and will then notify ORISE once they have selected a candidate in order to begin the appointment letter process described in Prior to Starting the Appointment.
If you have applied for a specific project, the NETL mentor for that project will determine how long applications will be accepted, and how long the review and selection process will take. Once the mentor has selected a candidate, there are several steps that must be completed before the candidate can receive an appointment letter with offer (which will come from ORISE via the Zintellect system). If selected, the process between receiving your official appointment letter with offer and your actual start date may vary depending on several factors including background checks and the security process.
If you see the opportunity on Zintellect then it is still actively accepting applications. If no deadline is listed then applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can always contact NETLinfo@orau.org with any questions regarding the status of your application and/or the opportunity.
Please ensure that all of the necessary application materials have been received and that you have obtained the necessary educational qualifications. At least one reference needs to be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application. Please review the current opportunities that are available.
All opportunities for ORISE Research Participation Programs at NETL are listed in Zintellect. Check back often for additional postings.
All ORISE appointment selections must be submitted by the NETL mentor. ORISE will send an appointment letter once this submission is received and the funding for the appointment is in place.
We do not advise you to do this. Only ORISE is authorized to offer you an appointment.
-
Diversity Inclusion/Culture
Read more
The NETL Diversity Council strives to achieve a NETL workforce that reflects the demographics of our Nation, and an environment which is open and accepting of individual differences. The Diversity Council desires an organizational culture where all employees are encouraged to maximize their potential and exhibit a commitment to science excellence and responsiveness to our society’s needs. We recommend that applicants explore the NETL website to learn more about their unique culture and diversity commitments. Applicants may also explore the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government issued January 20, 2021.
ORISE administers STEM internship and fellowship programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. The diversity of these programs enables individuals—whether undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, or faculty—to conduct collaborative research at national laboratories or one of more than a dozen federal agency partners nationwide. Interested applicants can review and apply to hundreds of postings for paid internships and fellowships that best meet their individual career interests and educational advancement needs on Zintellect. Recruiting/Outreach events, including a focus on enhancing connections and recruitment for underrepresented groups, are offered regularly by ORISE to provide candidates the opportunity to speak with program staff, mentors, and current/alumni participants to learn more.
ORISE champions diversity, promotes creativity, rewards excellence, and encourages respect and an acceptance of differences. To support this commitment, ORISE operates a strong diversity program that includes training, educational programs, and awareness events for its employees and the community and is dedicated to recruiting and preparing the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.
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…
