The application period is open to become a summer intern at NETL through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program.

The MLEF Program offers summer research internships for undergraduate and graduate students preparing for energy-related careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

MLEF interns are mentored by NETL scientists and engineers while completing research projects focused on developing clean energy technologies and moving the nation toward net-zero emissions.

The deadline to submit completed applications for the MLEF Program is 11:59 p.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, for internships at NETL sites in Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Click here to apply and for more information.

Recent MLEF interns said their experiences at NETL exceeded their expectations.

“I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone interested in STEM. It changed my perspective of how to conduct research and how important it is,” said Precious Uwadoka, a chemical engineering major who attended the University of Houston during her MLEF participation in 2022.

Alexis Westwood, a chemical engineering student at the University of Utah who interned at NETL-Morgantown in 2024, agreed with that assessment.  

“I learned so much about real-world applications of my coursework, and I learned so much about myself,” Westwood said. “The people I’ve met here have changed my life in so many ways, and I’m grateful for every one of them.”

MLEF intern Keshun Nelson said he was inspired by the opportunity to contribute to the Minerals Sustainability Program, which seeks to secure a robust domestic supply of critical minerals and materials from secondary and unconventional resources.

Critical minerals are key to U.S. manufacturing of clean energy technologies, including solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells.

“Contributing to DOE initiatives has significantly enhanced my research skills and shaped my career aspirations. Working closely with my mentor and networking with award-winning researchers has provided me with guidance and inspiration that I will value throughout the rest of my journey,” said Nelson, a chemistry major at Norfolk State University in Virginia.

MLEF internships can also open new doors for professional development.

“I networked with some of the top scientists in their fields, learned more about myself and what I want to do with my education, and made friends with other interns. Because of this program, I got the opportunity to come back this fall through NETL’s Professional Internship Program to learn even more about energy research,” said Kylie Brinza, an environmental, water and soil sciences major at West Virginia University.

During the 10-week appointment, MLEF interns receive a biweekly stipend and may be eligible for travel and housing assistance. At the end of the program, participants present their research findings at the MLEF Technical Forum.

The MLEF Program was established to strengthen a diverse pipeline of future STEM professionals. More than 1,000 students from across the nation have participated. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers solutions for a clean and secure energy future. By leveraging its highly skilled innovators and state-of-the-art research facilities, NETL is advancing carbon management and resource sustainability technologies to enable environmental sustainability for all Americans.