2026 DOE Scholars Program
Organization
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Reference Code
DOE-Scholars-2026-Gen
How to Apply
Click on Apply below to start your application.
Application Deadline
2/16/2026 8:00:00 AM Eastern Time Zone
Description
Exciting Opportunity for Students and Recent Graduates: Join the DOE Scholars Program!
Are you ready to make an impact on the future of energy, environmental sciences, and national security? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking passionate undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges in cutting-edge fields.
Explore opportunities in exciting fields like:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Nuclear Security
- Energy Security
- Cybersecurity
- Environmental Management
- Research, Technology and Economic Security
- Emergency Response
…and much more!
Why Join the DOE Scholars Program?
- Financial Support: Stipends starting at $700/week for undergraduates and $750/week for graduate students and postgraduates, and up to $1,000 for participants relocating more than 50 miles.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities for travel and training to enhance your education and career potential.
- Flexible Locations: Appointments are available at DOE Headquarters in Washington, DC, DOE Field Offices, or other participating sites across the nation. Virtual appointments may also be available in 2026.
- Flexible Appointment Duration: Appointments are designed to fit your schedule! The duration of your appointment depends on your availability and the hosting facility’s needs. Appointments can begin at any time during the year based on the discretion of the DOE sponsoring office. Extensions may also be granted depending on the sponsoring office’s needs and your availability.
Discover Your Career Path
As a DOE Scholar, you will gain hands-on experience, contribute to groundbreaking projects, and explore career opportunities. Whether it’s advancing energy technologies, enhancing cybersecurity, or addressing new horizons such as fusion, supercomputing and biotechnology, this program is your gateway to making a difference.
Don’t miss this chance to shape the future while advancing your education and career!
Visit https://orise.orau.gov/doescholars/ for additional information or contact us at doescholars@orise.orau.gov.
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.
A complete application consists of:
- Profile Information
- Essay Question (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the DOE Scholars Program)
- Resume (PDF)
- Transcripts/Academic Records - Unofficial transcripts or copies of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcripts/Academic Records must include name of the academic institution, name of the student, completed/in progress coursework and grades. Documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.
- Academic or Professional Recommendation - You are encouraged to request a recommendation from a professional who can speak to your abilities and potential for success as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendations must be submitted by Monday, March 2, 2026, 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time.
All documents must be submitted via Zintellect. All application components must be received in the system in order to be considered.
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
Qualifications
The DOE Scholars Program is open to all students and recent graduates who meet the following qualifications:
- Be a U.S. Citizen and at least 18 years old.
- Meet one of the following conditions:
- Be enrolled or have completed an undergraduate (B.A., B.S. or equivalent) or graduate (M.S., DVM, Ph.D., or equivalent) degree within five years of the intended start date in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline or a field that supports the DOE operations mission including but not limited to communications, management, business and law.
- Be a U.S. military Veteran who has been honorably discharged and/or who has been medically discharged because of a service-connected disability and who received a college degree in an appropriate discipline within ten years of the desired start date.
- Have completed a qualifying certificate program within one year of the desired start date are also eligible for a postgraduate appointment. The qualifying certificate program must be offered by an accredited academic institution; must be in an appropriate science, technology, engineering, or math discipline; and should be related to or complement a prior degree earned (bachelor’s degree or higher).
Stipend
$700.00 Weekly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: High School Diploma/GED, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
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Discipline(s):
- Business (11 )
- Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
- Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
- Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
- Earth and Geosciences (21 )
- Engineering (27 )
- Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
- Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
- Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
- Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
- Physics (16 )
- Science & Engineering-related (2 )
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
- Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
ORISE GO
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
