DOE EM Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS) at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

About the role

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 qualifying 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.

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 headquarters offices, field offices, or DOE national laboratories
• Opportunities to engage with the EM community (e.g., EM field sites, contractors, stakeholders) and other STARS participants
• Academic and career guidance
• Continued engagement with EM after graduation through employment opportunities or postgraduate appointments

Financial Support

• Tuition Scholarship: up to $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 fifty miles from assigned location)
  • Local Transportation: $50/week
  • Inbound/Outbound: up to $1,000 (If relocating more than fifty 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 the cost of these expenses.

Scholarship Description

EM STARS provides undergraduate students at qualifying institutions with up to two years of financial support while they work toward their undergraduate degree. If participants decide to pursue a master’s degree, the program will support them for up to two more years. While participants pursue their degrees, they'll get hands-on experience through transformational internships with the EM team at one of their sites. Through the internship opportunities, participants will learn about EM, get to see how EM tackles big challenges, and gain real-world skills that connect directly to their studies. EM STARS aims to help participants graduate with a strong understanding of EM’s mission and be highly prepared to join the EM workforce.

After completing the program, EM expects participants apply, and if selected, join the EM team as a full-time employee for a number of years equal to the year of their time in the program. Alternatively, if participants plan to go straight into a master's degree after the completion of their undergraduate degree, the program will provide continued support for up to two more years. During this time, participants will participate in up to two additional summer internships with EM.

EM STARS is an investment in the future of its participants—and in return, EM requires that participants meet program requirements and pursue future employment with EM or an affiliated program after graduation. Participants who choose not to pursue employment with EM or an approved affiliated program after graduation will be expected to repay up to 100% of the program fees.

Nature of Appointment

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

Qualifications

• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application (proof of citizenship will be required as part of the onboarding process).
• Be 18 years of age by May 31, 2027.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at a qualifying institution during the 2026–2027 academic year. Accredited U.S. postsecondary institutions that meet the statutory criteria for identification as qualifying institutions by the Department of Education can be found here.
• Have completed two full years toward an undergraduate degree by the start of the program and are planning to graduate between May 2029 and December 2029. Students who have completed more than two years toward their undergraduate degree may only be considered if they have completed an internship with EM since May 2025.
• Pursuing a STEM degree in a discipline that supports EM research and operations. EM has a wide array of critical needs, ranging from technical expertise and skilled trades to STEM research. Important areas of research include 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 a qualifying institution and have accepted the appropriate number of transfer credits to be classified as a third-year student by the start of the program.
• Undergraduate students intending to graduate before May 2029 are not eligible.
• If pursuing an associate’s degree, applicant must have an intention to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a qualifying institution. Prior to acceptance into the program, the applicant must be accepted and show proof of enrollment.
• Summer internships typically begin the first week of June and end the first week of August. Participants are expected to be fully engaged on-site for the duration of the summer internship. Not all academic calendars may align with the requirements of the program.