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Are you interested in becoming a STARS Scholar?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS) program provides opportunities for undergraduate students from Minority Serving Institutions pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that supports the EM research and operations in the following areas: Soil & Groundwater; Deactivation & Decommissioning; Tank Waste; Robotics; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Cybersecurity; and Advanced Manufacturing.

Are you interested in learning more about the EM STARS program and application process?

Information Sessions:

• Wednesday, October 15 from 3-4pm ET (recording here)
• Friday, November 7 from 12-1pm ET (recording here)

Application Workshops:

• Friday, October 24 from 2-3pm ET (recording here)
• Thursday, November 13 from 2-3pm ET (register here)
• Friday, December 5 from 2-3pm ET (register here)

Why should I apply?

You will receive:

• Financial support for the pursuit of an undergraduate degree for up to two years and two additional years for students choosing to pursue a master’s degree
• Paid summer internships under the guidance of an accomplished mentor at EM headquarter offices, field offices, and DOE national laboratories
• Opportunities to engage with the EM community (e.g., EM field sites, contractors, stakeholders) and other STARS Scholars
• Academic and career guidance
• Continued engagement with EM after graduation through employment opportunities or postgraduate appointments 

Financial Support

• Tuition: $36,000/academic year (Amount is based on expected average cost. The tuition allowance may be higher based on student’s actual tuition costs.)
• Stipend: $32,000/academic year
• Education Allowance: $5,000/scholarship year
• Summer Internship: 10-week internship
  • Stipend: $750/week
  • Housing Allowance: up to $700/week based on assigned location (If relocating more than 50 miles from assigned location)
  • Local Transportation: $50/week   
  • Inbound/Outbound: $1,000 to be paid as a lump-sum with the first stipend payment (If relocating more than 50 miles from assigned location)

NOTE: Charges for optional, refundable and penalty fees (such as late registration), meal plans, books and housing are not covered by the award. The stipend during the academic term is meant to offset these expenses.

Review of Applications

Student applications will be evaluated based on academic merit, enrollment in STEM coursework, extracurricular activities (e.g., teams, clubs, and relevant work experience), recommendation, interest in STEM, and an interest in EM mission.

Nature of Appointment

Scholars will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, STARS or the hosting site.  Instead, Scholars will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

Questions

Please email the EM STARS team at EM_STARS@orise.orau.gov or visit our website at: https://orise.orau.gov/em-stars/. 

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Be 18 years of age by June 1, 2026.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited Minority Serving Institution (MSI) during the 2025-2026 academic year. Accredited U.S. postsecondary institutions that meet the statutory criteria for identification as Minority Serving Institutions by the Department of Education can be found at: https://orise.orau.gov/zintellect-files/files/Minority-Serving-Institution-Designation-List.xlsx.
  • AANAPISI - Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution
  • ANNH - Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institution
  • HBCU - Historically Black College or University
  • HSI - Hispanic-Serving Institution
  • NASNTI - Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution
  • PBI - Predominantly Black Institution
  • TCU - Tribal College or University
• Have completed two full years towards an undergraduate degree and planning to graduate no earlier than the end of the Spring 2027 semester/trimester. Students who have completed more than two years towards their undergraduate degree may be considered if they have completed an internship with the Office of Environmental Management since May 2024.
• Pursuing a STEM degree in a discipline that supports the Office of Environmental Management research and operations. EM has a wide array of critical needs that range from technical expertise and skilled trades to STEM research. Important areas of research include of soil & groundwater, deactivation & decommissioning, tank waste, robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing.

Additional Information

• Two years of undergraduate education is defined as the equivalent of four semesters or six trimesters. Academic terms do not need to be continuous.
• If applicant has attended multiple academic institutions, the current institution must be an MSI. The MSI must have accepted the appropriate number of transfer credits to be classified as a third-year student.
• Undergraduate students graduating before end of Spring of 2027 are not eligible.
• If pursuing an associate’s degree, applicant must have an intention to pursue a bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution. Prior to acceptance into the program, the applicant must be accepted and show proof of enrollment.

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Academic Institution Classification
• Program Specific Questions (Character limits – 300 words)
  • Why does this opportunity interest you and how it will impact your educational and professional goals in relation to possible future employment with the DOE Office of Environmental Management? How will this scholarship impact your academic or career pathway (beyond financial support)?
  • Describe your relevant research, technical, or professional skills and experience that are applicable to this opportunity and the work that is done in the DOE EM.
  • Describe how your interest in STEM has shaped who you are, led you on your current academic/career journey, and prepared you to fulfill the scholarship requirements of EM STARS. You may include a description of any extra-curricular activities in which you have participated (e.g., clubs, teams, camps, mentoring, jobs, internships, etc.).
  • What aspect of the EM STARS and DOE EM mission/program appears most relevant to your interests?
  • This is a workforce development program specific to DOE EM. Do you have a long-term goal to be employed by DOE EM? If yes, are you willing to commit to being placed in a location where EM priorities are to fulfill the program requirements and your service agreement for the number of years the EM STARS program supports you in your academic endeavors?
• Select your top three research area of interest in relation to the DOE EM Mission: Soil & Groundwater; Deactivation & Decommissioning; Tank Waste; Robotics; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Cybersecurity; Advanced Manufacturing. Preferences will be taken into consideration when matching applicants with available projects.
• Resume including the following sections in no particular order. An example of an academic resume can be found at https://orise.orau.gov/zintellect-files/files/EM-MSIPP-STARS-Academic-Resume-CV-Sample.pdf.
  • Profile
  • Educational Summary
  • Academic and Research Experience: Recent positions held, including length of employment, hours worked, and location.
  • Awards and Scholarships: Recent accolades, including source, length, and summary of benefits.
  • Community Service & Extracurricular Activities: List service and/or extracurricular activities in which applicants have participated, beginning with the most recent.
  • Special Skills and Abilities: List professional/technical skills and abilities that are relevant to this program.
• Academic Records: A copy of an official or unofficial transcript or copies of the academic records from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcript or academic records must clearly show the name of the student, name of the academic institution, enrollment as of Fall 2025, in progress / completed / enrolled courses, grades, most recent cumulative GPA, and degree in progress as of Fall 2025. Academic records must include undergraduate courses and grades for the equivalent of two years. Applicant may combine academic records into one document if they have attended multiple academic institutions. Please provide all transcripts for institutions you’ve attended and are using to show credits for this application. Selected candidates must provide proof of enrollment during the Spring 2026 term.
• One recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor at the institution where the student is currently attending. The recommendation should address the student’s academic record and potential for success such as demonstrated intellectual merit, communication, and teamwork skills. Recommenders will be asked to submit a recommendation in Zintellect. Letters of recommendation submitted via email will not be accepted. Your recommendation must be submitted by Friday, December 19, 2025, 11:59 pm EST.

Contact us at EM_STARS@orise.orau.gov if you have any questions. Please list the reference code [DOE-EM-STARS-2026] for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Currently pursuing an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (15 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 6/1/2026