Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program

Opportunity Description:

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program is a 10-week summer research fellowship for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM majors. Participants complete a cutting-edge research project at one of the Department’s National Laboratories or DOE Headquarters in support of the Department’s mission to minimize the environmental impacts of energy resource recovery and use while working towards net-zero emissions.

The mission of the MLEF program is to strengthen a diverse pipeline of future STEM professionals, and this program has mentored nearly 1000 of the best and brightest students from across the nation for future careers in the STEM workforce. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.

As a MLEF participant, you will train under the mentorship of scientists and engineers while completing a mission-focused research project. During the 10-week appointment, you will receive a weekly stipend, and may be eligible for housing and travel allowances. You will also gain insight into how the Department of Energy is working toward an equitable and clean energy future.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
• Be a U.S. Citizen.
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.
• Be currently enrolled full-time as a degree-seeking student in a STEM program at an accredited college/university at the Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s level.
• Must be deemed at least a college sophomore by your college/university at the time of application. Must have completed at least one year as a matriculated undergraduate student at the time of applying. Advanced Placement credits or other undergraduate credits obtained prior to undergraduate enrollment cannot be applied to meet the minimum one-year completion requirement.
• Be available to participate in the full 10-week program.

Application Process: 

Application tips can be found on the MLEF website.The MLEF application process is a two-part process. 

1. Create a Zintellect Profile
   If you have applied to other ORISE programs using the Zintellect portal, you can just log in to your account and skip to Step 2, MLEF Online Application. Creating a profile allows you to save basic information such as your name, contact information and educational history. If you apply to more than one program using Zintellect, you will not need to re-enter this data. 
2. MLEF Online Application
   The second part of the application process consists of answering questions and submitting documents specific to the MLEF program. This includes:
   • Current resume
   • Short-answer responses to essay questions
   • Unofficial transcripts: Submit unofficial transcripts for current and past institutions attended.  Transcripts 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.
     • First-year graduate students must submit their undergraduate transcript, including the last two years of courses, degree, and date degree was awarded.
     • Transfer students must submit transcripts from previous institution.
   • Providing contact information for two individuals who can serve as references. The first reference should be from an academic source and the second reference can be either from an academic or professional source.

Application deadline generally falls sometime in late January.