DOE EM MSIPP Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS)

Are you interested in becoming a STARS Scholar?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) 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; Advanced Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, and Manufacturing Disciplines.

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.

EM MSIPP STARS provides undergraduate students enrolled at a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) up to two years of support for the pursuit of an undergraduate degree and two additional years for students choosing to pursue a Master’s degree. Internships aim to introduce Scholars to the missions, functions, operations, and culture of EM and the hosting site allowing Scholars to gain relevant experience in their fields of study or expand knowledge in areas of interest. Upon graduation, Scholars will have a greater understanding of the EM mission and its science and technology needs and be highly prepared to apply and be selected for employment with EM.

EM seeks to continue engagement with students upon completion of the program, preferably as EM employees. Therefore, after the completion of the two-year scholarship plus internship program, EM expects students to commit, apply, and if selected, maintain employment with EM for a number of years equivalent to the years of their award. Alternatively, EM will provide opportunities to Scholars to receive a postgraduate appointment with EM. Scholars may postpone completing this requirement if pursuing a Master’s degree upon completion of the undergraduate degree. During this time, Scholars may also participate in two summer internships at EM headquarters offices, field offices and DOE national laboratories.

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

EM-MSIPP-STARS@orise.orau.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Be 18 years of age by June 1, 2025.
• 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 2024-2025 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 2026 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 2023.
• 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 2026 are not eligible.