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

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) enables research, development, and testing of emerging technologies to advance marine energy as well as next-generation hydropower and pumped storage systems for a flexible, reliable grid.

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 WPTO-funded Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track will strengthen those efforts by preparing graduate students for careers in marine energy important to WPTO by providing opportunities at DOE laboratories, industry organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), nonprofits, and other DOE/WPTO-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 12, 2025 at 5:00pm ET. 
Fall Cohort | Start Dates: August-October. Application Deadline: March 27, 2026 at 5:00pm ET. 

What will I be doing?

As a participant with the Marine Energy Fellowship: Graduate Student Track, you will advance your master's or doctoral thesis 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 blue economy.

You will conduct research at both your academic institution and at an external hosting 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!

Who is an ideal candidate?

• Highly motivated graduate students who are completing a thesis or dissertation in a marine energy topic, including but not limited to innovative technologies for domestic power generation from marine energy technologies.
• Applicants who are able to independently secure a hosting facility and mentor to host them for the appointment; virtually, hybrid, or in-person.

Where will I be?

You will identify the host facility where you want to conduct your research and a potential mentor currently conducting or directing research, development, and/or testing in a marine energy topic.

The minimum appointment period for this fellowship is 6 months at the identified hosting facility, virtually or in-person; however, appointments are typically 12 months. For a list of potential host facilities, please visit https://orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program/applicants/host-facilities.html. Applicants are not limited to this list.

Program Provisions

You will receive a competitive monthly stipend ($2,700 for master's students and $3,150 for doctoral students), health insurance supplement, travel and education allowance up to $10,000, and limited tuition reimbursement. An inbound-outbound transportation allowance up to $4,000 may be provided for eligible candidates temporarily relocating and/or traveling to the hosting facility.

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Be enrolled as a full-time master's or doctoral student in a qualified program requiring a research thesis/dissertation at an accredited U.S. college or university throughout the appointment period.
• Be conducting research in an area aligned with WPTO priority research areas for marine energy.
• Have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
• Be available to conduct research at the hosting facility for at least six months, virtually or in-person.

Students may apply for, and are eligible to participate in, the program multiple times during their graduate studies, for up to 24 months.

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Proof of enrollment in a Graduate program requiring thesis during the 2025 fall semester/quarter for December application deadline; Proof may include one of the following:
  • Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems including courses in progress during the 2025 fall semester/quarter term.
  • Letter from authorized academic department official, such as Department Chair, or other document issued/authorized by the academic institution confirming your enrollment. Letter or document must include your name and official university markings such as the registrar’s signature, university logo or stamp, letterhead or watermark, signature of the authorized official, etc.
• Proposed Research Plan
• Letter of Support from Host Facility
• Letter of Support from your current graduate advisor. This letter should address your academic record and potential for success in an appointment, such as demonstrated intellectual merit, communication and teamwork
• A current resume/CV (2-page limit)

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. Documents sent by email, postal mail, or fax will not be considered. All supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files so the document can be searched by Zintellect's search engine. Scanned items are not optimal for search engines. PDF must not require special certificates or passwords to open. Max file size is 10MB.

If you have questions, or have issues uploading documentation, please send an email to DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov and list DOE-EERE-RPP-2025-Summer-MEF-Grad in the subject line of your email.

Review Criteria 
Applications will be collected in Zintellect and will undergo an eligibility check by ORISE, after which a merit review will be conducted by DOE. 

• Academic and Research Performance (50%)
  • Are the applicant’s academic background, skills, and experience appropriate to conduct the proposed research?
  • Does the proposed plan demonstrate a solid understanding of scientific and technical challenges in the proposed area of research?
  • Does the proposed research have the potential to make a significant contribution to the applicant’s goals (thesis, dissertation, professional development, etc.)?
• Technical Merit and Relevance to Marine Energy (25%)
  • Is the proposed research a viable concept or topic relevant to marine energy?
  • Are the methods and approach for the proposed research appropriate?
• Support of Hosting Facility (25%)
  • Can the proposed hosting facility provide the necessary resources and mentorship to support the proposed research?
  • Does the mentor/student match appear reasonable?
  • Are both parties committed to having a supportive and productive relationship?

For detailed information regarding application components, including requirements for the proposed research plan, visit https://orise.orau.gov/marine-energy-research-program.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Currently pursuing a Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.
• 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