Solar Manufacturing Internship for Leaders in Energy (SMILE)

Submission materials

• Two letters of recommendation. These letters should address the applicant’s academic record and potential for success in an appointment, as indicated by demonstrated intellectual merit, communication, and teamwork skills. 
• Resume
• Short Response Questions:
  • Please describe your interest in solar energy technology and what you would gain from this internship.
  • How do your skills, qualities, or experiences align with current research and development efforts in the solar energy technology industry?

Application Deadline
2/1/2024 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

The Solar Manufacturing Internship for Leaders in Energy (SMILE) Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).  SMILE will provide an opportunity for students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to intern at SETO portfolio companies. Students will participate in professional development programming in addition to their core assignments, which will provide the opportunity to learn about and support the development of innovative solar energy technologies. Appointments will be offered through the EERE Research Participation Program.

The internships will be held for up to 10-weeks during the 2024 summer. Internships may be served on-site or remotely depending upon the preference of the host company.

Financial Support

• Stipend: $850 per week for full-time participation based on 40 hours per week.
• Housing Supplement: $150/week for participants will be provided, if eligible. Additional housing stipend may be provided to offset high cost of living in certain locations.
• Local Transportation: $30/week
• Inbound/Outbound Transportation Allowance: Up to $1,200 for participants who relocate more than fifty miles, one way, from their assigned internship site to offset transportation expenses to/from the assigned internship site. If the participant travels by plane or train, ORISE will make travel arrangements and purchase the plane or train tickets.

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.

Potential Intern host site locations

• Wauwatosa, WI
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Broomfield, Colorado
• Dallas, Texas
• Austin, Texas
• Sausalito, California
• Duarte, California
• Beford, Massachusetts
• San Jose, California
• Fremont, California

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

This opportunity is open to undergraduates who meet the following qualifications:

• Attend a Minority Serving Institution (https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/pdf/2023-2024%20MSI%20List.pdf ).
• Be a United States citizen, or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) at the time of application. Evidence of U.S. citizenship or LPR status must be submitted to ORISE at the time appointment is accepted.
• Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible Minority Serving Institution (MSI).
• Have completed at least 3 years of undergraduate coursework and be planning to enter their final year or semester/quarter of their undergraduate studies after the summer of 2024.
• Be available to conduct the summer internship at the external hosting facility for ten weeks.
• Have coverage under a health insurance plan before arriving at the internship site and maintain coverage for the duration of the appointment.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Any degree .
• 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 (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 6/1/2024