WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the second round of the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship, a unique workforce development program that matches recent graduates and new energy professionals to key energy organizations to support efforts to advance clean energy solutions. Through this program, hosts receive support to help them accelerate the transition to clean electricity and better take advantage of federal grid resilience and modernization funding opportunities, while also increasing access to clean-energy career opportunities across the United States. DOE has now opened applications for eligible Host Institutions including state public utility commissions, grid operators, and cooperative and municipal utilities. New this year, Tribal Utilities, Inter-Tribal Councils or other Tribal organizations, and essential energy organizations in Puerto Rico are identified as priority Host Institutions.

“We cannot transition to a 100% clean power system without a skilled, innovative, diverse workforce, and that is exactly what the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship helps build,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alejandro Moreno. “This fellowship program expands the talent pool for careers that support the electric grid and, ultimately, the U.S. economy.”  

Innovator Fellows will spend up to two years supporting projects that the Host Institutions identify as critical to enhancing grid resilience and/or advancing decarbonization while ensuring energy affordability and grid reliability. These can include state engagement in electrification, accelerated electric vehicle deployment, essential grid services on the distribution system, development of Tribe energy expertise, and more.

“As we implement the historic investments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, a strong workforce is needed to ensure all communities have access to affordable, reliable, and resilient power,” said Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office. “The Grid Deployment Office is proud to partner with and support the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship program to help invest in an expanded workforce to support the implementation of these laws and reach our goals of providing a reliable, affordable, and resilient grid.”

The Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship is supported by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Innovator Fellows receive a stipend to support their participation in the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship program and an allowance for education and professional development opportunities.  

DOE is now accepting applications for Host Institutions which are due on April 27, 2023. Application should include a project scope and describe their institution’s needs.

Applications for Innovator Fellows will open on May 22 and are due on June 8. Fellowship candidates will be asked to describe their interest in the opportunity and their relevant skills and experience. Candidates will indicate their top host projects of interest in their applications. Host Institution projects will be posted on the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship website by May 19.

The fellowship is open to recent graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees, and mid-career professionals in fields relevant to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Spanish language proficiency is recommended, but not required, for Fellows seeking Puerto Rico placements.

The Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).   

Learn more about the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Grid Deployment Office at DOE.