Demographics in America are shifting towards a more diverse workforce. And yet, minorities are under-represented in the STEM workforce that the country depends upon for innovation and growth.

The Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program offers talented undergraduate and graduate students 10-week summer internships with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratories.

Minorities Encouraged to Apply

The program reaches out to minority students across the country at minority serving institutions. Interns have participated from across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Our goal is to get students excited about and prepared for STEM and energy careers at the DOE, other federal agencies or the private sector. Our hope is that doing exciting work, gaining confidence and making contacts will open up opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and geographies.

Key Benefits

Financial Support

For in-person internships, round trip airfare and student’s stipends are included.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MEISPP has added a virtual program.  Virtual interns still receive a stipend.  The future of MEISPP will include a hybrid of virtual and in-person internship opportunities.

Technical and Professional Experience

Students gain professional and technical career experience while working side-by-side with an assigned mentor who is a subject matter expert at the DOE. Mentors will help students tailor their practical work experience to the larger context of their professional interests.

Varied Opportunities across the Country

The Department of Energy is a STEM agency with 17 national labs across the country, field offices and headquarters in Washington, DC.  MEISPP internships may involve STEM, policy, business, and/or government relations across the many locations across the Department of Energy complex. 

Past Students have:

• Worked as research analysts to sequence different strains of fungus DNA at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN
• Assisted planning an international conference on nuclear energy and cooperation for the Office of Nuclear Energy at DOE Headquarters in Washington, DC
• Worked with nuclear scientists from the National Nuclear Security Administration at multiple locations to include:
  • Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico

Personal Development Workshops

Students participate in workshops that are designed to increase their marketability. Workshops may address topics such as time management, development of a professional identity, effective communication skills, and resume writing.

Networking Opportunities

Students have an opportunity to network with experts throughout the DOE and its national laboratories. By attending business meetings, scheduled field trips and planned activities, students have a chance to explore career opportunities on a daily basis.

Eligibility Requirements

The program is open to students pursuing degrees in a variety of academic majors, including, but not limited to engineering, sciences, social sciences and business.

Undergraduate/Graduate Students must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a U.S. citizen (permanent residents and green card holders are ineligible)
• Have earned at least 24 undergraduate semester hours (39 quarter credit hours)
• Be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full time an accredited Minority Serving Institution (MSI) that meets the statutory criteria for identification as a MSI defined by the U.S. Department of Education, https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html.
• Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 (minimum) or above on a 4.0 scale

Applicants must also demonstrate the following:

• Leadership potential
• Commitment to public service
• Interest in energy-related issues
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions, key dates, and contact information, click on the Program Webpage link: Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program (MEISPP) (orau.gov). To apply, visit the MEISPP Application Portal.