The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) regularly engages interns and fellows in the sciences, engineering, and liberal arts through a variety of internship and fellowship programs, including the following:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Program
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowship Program
- DOE Scholars Program
- EERE Student Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP).
These programs arrange opportunities for scientists and engineers at the post-secondary and post-doctoral levels to gain firsthand experience conducting and managing research, development, and demonstration at a nationwide scale. Interns and fellows contribute their knowledge and skills to federal agencies and networking with their peers. Internships and fellowships can equip scientists with a solid understanding of how government operates and partners with the scientific community.
At BETO, interns and fellows work alongside experienced bioenergy professionals. They have contributed to strategic planning processes, technical papers, conferences and workshops, and a host of other resume-building activities. BETO welcomes applicants from all scientific disciplines and career stages. Internship and fellowship experiences are tailored to a fellow's technical backgrounds and career goals.
A National Renewable Energy Laboratory intern works in the lab with blue-green algae. Photo courtesy of Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE (AAAS) FELLOWSHIP
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowships are a 12-month learning experience with federal science and technology policymaking. Prior experience with federal policymaking is not required. Following acceptance into the AAAS fellowship program, a coordinator schedules interviews for placement with individual government agencies.
The AAAS website contains the most up-to-date program information and application schedule. The online application opens late spring and closes late fall for the following year's fellowship program.
OAK RIDGE INSTITUTE FOR SCIENCE AND EDUCATION (ORISE) Program
The DOE EERE Science, Technology and Policy (STP) Program is a two-year learning experience with EERE policy-related activities. Advanced degree graduates with a range of experience levels apply their expertise to current and future policy and technical initiatives in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The STP Program is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Program in collaboration with EERE.
The STP Program web page contains the most up-to-date information on the program and how to apply for it.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The DOE Scholars Program is a 10-week internship program that provides post-secondary students the opportunity to participate in paid internships, research, and individual development aligned with the mission of DOE. Participants focus on a variety of disciplines (including bioenergy) within DOE offices and power administrations across the country.
The DOE Scholars Program web page contains the most up-to-date information on the program and how to apply for it. The online application opens in October for appointments in the following summer.
EERE student VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (SVIP)
The EERE Student Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP) is a 10–16-week internship program that provides opportunities to experience activities within the DOE EERE office. To participate in opportunities at DOE headquarters in Washington, D.C., and the Golden Field Office in Golden, Colorado, individuals must be enrolled at least half-time in a high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or comparable educational institution. For opportunities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, individuals must be a full-time sophomore in college, having earned at least 24 semester hours (39 quarter credit hours) in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field.
The SVIP web page contains current information on the program and how to apply for it. The online application has a rolling deadline, depending on placement start and end dates.