To apply, click Apply at the bottom of this page.

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) enables research, development, testing, and commercialization of technologies to advance marine energy as well as next-generation hydropower and pumped storage systems to deliver flexible, reliable energy.

Marine energy technologies convert the energy of waves, tides, and river and ocean currents into electricity and have the potential to provide millions of Americans with locally sourced, reliable energy. The Marine Energy Fellowship: Postgraduate Track will strengthen those efforts by preparing postgraduates for careers in marine energy important to DOE/CMEI by providing opportunities at DOE laboratories, industry organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), nonprofits, and other DOE-approved facilities.

Marine Energy Fellowship applications are reviewed (and offers are made) two times per year:

Summer Cohort | Start Dates: May-July. Application Deadline: December 11, 2026 at 5:00pm ET. 
Fall Cohort | Start Dates: August-October: Application Deadline: March 26, 2027 at 5:00pm ET. 

What will I be doing?
As a participant with the Marine Energy Fellowship: Postgraduate Track, you will advance your experience and skills utilizing the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at DOE laboratories, industry, federal agencies, NGOs, or other approved facilities to accomplish your research goals, all while networking with top scientists in the field. You will enhance your education and training in marine energy, increase your marketability in these disciplines, gain access to top scientists and state-of-the-art equipment, and gain insight into research and career opportunities. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from experts researching, developing, and testing emerging technologies in marine energy and/or ocean-based industries.

You will conduct research at a host facility. Because you are responsible for finding a host facility and securing a mentor, you will be embedded in a facility whose research aligns with your research goals and who can provide the resources you need for your research. Your mentor may also be a resource for your next career step!

• Highly motivated recent graduates who have completed a degree program in a topic applicable to marine energy.
• Applicants who are able to independently secure a hosting facility and mentor to host them for the appointment; virtually, hybrid, or in-person.

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
• Be a recent graduate with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a qualified program at an accredited U.S. college or university. The degree must have been obtained within 36 months of the appointment start date.
• Have conducted research, development, field studies, analysis, and/or testing in an area aligned with the DOE mission and marine research priorities

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Proposed Project (2-page limit)
  • The proposed project should include a title and project description summarizing the applicant's project aims and learning objectives at the host facility, how the project supports the mission of the host facility, role of the host facility and mentor, timeline, expected outcomes, and relevance to DOE CMEI priority research areas for marine energy.
• Academic records showing that the applicant is either currently pursuing a degree, or the degree was obtained from a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program requiring a thesis. 
  • If currently pursuing at the time of application, the degree must be conferred by the appointment start date.
  • If degree obtained, it must have been conferred within the past 36 months of the anticipated appointment start date.
  • Transcripts or copies of the student academic records provided by the applicant from internal institutional systems may be submitted.
• Letter of Support from proposed mentor at host facility. The letter must demonstrate knowledge of and concurrence with the proposed project description and agreement to host the applicant if an appointment is offered.
• Professional summary detailing knowledge, skills, and background in an area aligned with marine energy.
• A current resume/CV (2-page limit)

If you have questions, or have issues uploading documentation, please send an email to DOE-MEF@orise.orau.gov and list DOE-CMEI-MEF-2027-Summer-Postgrad in the subject line of your email.

• Skills-Project Alignment (40%) 
  • Are the applicant’s academic background, skills, and experience appropriate for the position?
  • Does the proposed work seem suitable to meet the applicant’s professional development goals? 
• Relevance to Marine Energy (30%) 
  • Is the proposed research a viable concept or topic relevant to marine energy?
  • Does the proposed position demonstrate a solid understanding of scientific and technical challenges in the field? 
• Support of Host Facility (30%) 
  • Can the proposed hosting facility provide the necessary resources and mentorship to support the proposed research? 
  • Are the professional interests of the mentor and applicant aligned? 
  • Are both parties committed to having a supportive and productive relationship?

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (6 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (15 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (17 )
  • Engineering (22 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (34 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (8 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (10 )
  • Physics (9 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (21 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age