Energy Department Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2027 Visiting Faculty Program

College and university faculty are invited to apply to collaborate with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory scientific research staff on research projects of mutual interest. The application deadline is January 6, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. EST.   

The Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) seeks to enhance both the research competitiveness and STEM teaching capacity of faculty members at institutions that primarily serve undergraduate students. VFP provides faculty with the opportunity to enhance their research competitiveness and the innovative STEM learning they bring to their students through a funded collaboration with a Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory. The research scope covers a wide range of DOE science and technology frontiers, including the Genesis Mission, quantum information sciences, fusion science and engineering, space sciences, biotechnology, nuclear energy and technology, critical minerals and materials, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity. 

The VFP is offered in two tracks: 

• The VFP Research Collaboration Track 
• The VFP Teaching Initiative Track (available for returning VFP participants)   

VFP is offered over the summer term as a 10-week experience. Faculty applying to VFP have the option of inviting up to two of their students (one of whom may be a graduate student) to join the project. 

Extensive support during the application process is available, as well as a summer internship fair in November sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) with technical support provided by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. 

Application Support, Alumni Panel 

Two application assistance workshops will be held for all faculty eligible to apply to VFP. The first workshop will introduce the program and provide strategies for submitting a compliant application. At the second workshop, the application process will be reviewed, and the collaborative experiences provided by the program will be highlighted through a panel discussion.   

• November 6, 2026, Application Assistance Workshop: Registration information here.  
• December 10, 2026, VFP Alumni Panel Workshop: Registration information here.  

In addition, prospective VFP applicants can engage with recruiters and scientists from the DOE National Laboratories at the summer internship fair sponsored by WDTS and hosted by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. The fair will take place on November 12, 2026, from 1:00–5:00 pm EST. WDTS and National Lab staff will be on hand to answer questions. For more information, visit: https://science.osti.gov/wdts/vfp. 

Office Hours 

Furthermore, the program office invites applicants and letter-of-recommendation writers to attend office hours to answer administrative questions such as those pertaining to application submission. View upcoming dates here. 

VFP is managed by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) in the Office of Science. More information, including eligibility criteria, can be found at https://science.osti.gov/wdts/vfp .