Dr. Geri Richmond, Under Secretary for Science & Innovation

As a longtime professor of chemistry, I’ve dedicated much of my career to training the next generation of scientific talent. I know the power of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to spark imagination, inspire passion to contribute to a larger mission, and transform people’s lives. That’s why as Under Secretary, I’m so passionate about recruiting and retaining the next generation of diverse STEM professionals and skilled workers—especially those who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Doing so is critical to delivering on the Department of Energy’s mission and tackling some of the most complex scientific and technical challenges of our time. 

DOE has a more than 70-year history of training the next generation of students and skilled professionals through support of research & development (R&D) awards at National Labs and institutions of higher education, as well as through a portfolio of STEM training and engagement programs in targeted areas critical to DOE’s mission.

It's more crucial than ever that the science and engineering workforce looks like America. So over the past several years, DOE has taken unprecedented action to inspire and attract motivated individuals from all backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM and careers in the DOE mission areas.

DOE STEM Logo Blue Background With Tagline

Through recent listening sessions with community and stakeholder groups on barriers to participation and growing access to DOE opportunities, we heard it has been too difficult to know what DOE opportunities exist and how to apply or participate.  

Today marks a turning point with the launch of a new website, DOE STEM — which offers a single portal dedicated to empowering students, educators, and the scientific workforce with access to all of DOE’s STEM resources in one place. 

For the first time, DOE STEM enables users to: 

  • Learn about the STEM career opportunities at the Department of Energy and career and training opportunities at the Department’s 17 DOE National Laboratories.  
  • Search for DOE-sponsored STEM training and educational opportunities by STEM area, target audience, locations, and other parameters, and find the direct links to more information on the opportunity and application process.  
  • Explore DOE’s many free STEM-related resources for students, educators, and those pursuing careers and training in STEM fields. 
  • Engage with stories from students and professionals who have participated in DOE’S STEM programs spanning DOE’s mission areas and how those experiences have contributed to their training and professional advancement.  
  • Access recent announcements about DOE’s STEM program opportunities, events, and investments in STEM training and program development and outreach to students, educators, and the community 
  • Discover the STEM-driven mission areas led by the Offices across the Department of Energy. 

DOE STEM will grow awareness and improve accessibility for DOE-sponsored STEM opportunities, resources, and information, and is powered by a new level of coordination by professionals across the Department. The DOE STEM initiative has brought together experts in scientific training and workforce development across DOE program offices to leverage their diversity of backgrounds and expertise in the development of the new site. And underpinning this work, we’ve established a more inclusive and coordinated approach to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in DOE’s STEM programs and activities.  

STEM is at the heart of DOE’s mission. We need to do all we can to attract the nation’s diverse talent to pursue STEM careers developing solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges, and to Discover the World of Energy.