U.S. Department of Energy STEM Development Programs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced its support for 173 exceptional undergraduate students and 8 faculty members from underrepresented institutions in the field of scientific research. This initiative, promoted by the DOE's Office of Science, aims to foster the development of a qualified workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

DOE Office of Science Mission Under the guidance of director Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, the DOE Office of Science is committed to building and strengthening a national STEM workforce that represents individuals from all walks of life. This new class of students and faculty, often from underrepresented institutions in the research community, will have the opportunity to collaborate with world-class researchers, scientists, and innovators, addressing critical challenges through transformative science and innovation.

STEM Workforce Development Programs In spring, 144 university students and 29 college students will participate in STEM internships, working directly with scientists and engineers at DOE's national laboratories on research and technology projects supporting DOE's clean energy mission. These internships are administered through the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) and Community College Internships (CCI) programs of the DOE Office of Science.

In-Depth Overview STEM Workforce Development Programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are initiatives aimed at promoting the training and development of a highly qualified workforce in scientific and technological fields. These programs are particularly crucial to address current and future challenges in the energy, environment, and national security sectors.

Main Objectives: Specialized Training: Programs aim to provide students and faculty with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and specialize in STEM-related research and technology projects. Connections between Academic Institutions and National Laboratories: Fostering collaboration between academic institutions, especially those often underrepresented, and the national laboratories of the U.S. Department of Energy. This contributes to strengthening partnerships between the academic world and high-level scientific research. Inclusion and Diversification: Promoting the inclusion of students and faculty from different backgrounds and institutions, contributing to diversifying the STEM workforce. This is particularly relevant to ensuring broader and more inclusive representation in the scientific community. Key Components: Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI): Provides internship opportunities for university students, both four-year and community college students, at DOE national laboratories. Students actively participate in research and development projects. Community College Internships (CCI): Offers specific internships for community college students, allowing them to engage in STEM projects at DOE national laboratories. Visiting Faculty Program (VFP): Enables university faculty to collaborate with research staff at DOE national laboratories on mutually interesting projects, creating lasting connections between academic institutions and research centers. Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW): Initiative aimed at expanding engagement opportunities in research projects at national laboratories, contributing to long-term collaborations between academic institutions and scientific excellence centers. Meaning and Impact: These programs not only provide students and faculty with practical experience in an advanced research environment but also contribute significantly to bridging the gap between the academic world and the needs of the scientific and technological sector. Moreover, they play a crucial role in shaping a diversified and qualified STEM workforce, addressing global challenges and promoting innovation and scientific discovery.

Excellence Collaborations Eight university faculty members from eight institutions, including three minority-serving institutions, will collaborate with research staff at DOE national laboratories on mutually interesting projects. These opportunities are managed through the DOE Office of Science's Visiting Faculty Program (VFP). As part of the Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative, the VFP has recently expanded to include fall and spring terms, providing more opportunities for engagement in research.

Strengthening Partnerships The RENEW initiative leverages the unique facilities of the DOE Office of Science, providing training opportunities for students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty from academically underrepresented institutions in the U.S. scientific and technological ecosystem. RENEW will offer practical experiences and open new career paths for talented young scientists, engineers, and technicians.

Diversity and Excellence Participants in SULI, CCI, and VFP are selected by DOE national laboratories and facilities from a diverse pool of applicants from academic institutions across the country. These programs are managed by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists in the DOE Office of Science. To view the list of participants in spring 2024, you can visit the DOE's Office of Science WDTS laboratory participants website.

Conclusions: These programs not only expand opportunities for students and faculty but also contribute to strengthening the connection between DOE national laboratories and minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and other universities nationwide. DOE's commitment to shaping a diversified and qualified STEM workforce represents a significant step toward addressing energy, environmental, and national security challenges of the present and future.

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Glossary STEM: Acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, representing scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical disciplines. DOE: Acronym for U.S. Department of Energy, the Department responsible for overseeing energy policies and managing national laboratories. SULI: Acronym for Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships, a program that provides internship opportunities for university students at DOE national laboratories. CCI: Acronym for Community College Internships, a program that offers specific internships for community college students at DOE national laboratories. VFP: Acronym for Visiting Faculty Program, an initiative that allows university faculty to collaborate with research staff at DOE national laboratories on mutually interesting projects. RENEW: Acronym for Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce, an initiative aimed at expanding engagement opportunities in research projects at national laboratories, focusing on diversifying the STEM workforce. STEM Workforce: Represents the professionals and researchers active in scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical disciplines. Diversity: Promotion of the inclusion of individuals from different ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and institutions to ensure broader and more inclusive representation in the STEM workforce. Initiative: A specific project or action initiated to address a challenge or achieve specific goals. Collaboration: Joint work process between entities, in this context, between academic institutions and national laboratories, to achieve common results in the field of scientific and technological research.