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Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program - (Summer 2026 Internship)

U.S. Department of Energy
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program is a 10-week summer research internship for undergraduate and master’s students in STEM majors. Participants complete a cutting-edge research project at one of the Department’s National Laboratories or DOE Headquarters in support of the Department’s mission to strengthen U.S. energy and critical minerals security. At the end of the program, participants present their research findings at the MLEF Technical Forum.

As a MLEF participant, you will train under the mentorship of scientists and engineers while completing a mission-focused research project. During the 10-week appointment, you will receive a bi-weekly stipend, and may be eligible for housing and travel assistance.

Qualifications

  • Be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be in the United States, its territories, or residing on a United States military base for the entire duration of the appointment, even if remote participation has been approved.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.
  • Be currently enrolled full-time as a degree-seeking student in a STEM program at an accredited college or university at the associate, bachelor’s, or master’s level at the time of application. Students enrolled in institutions outside of the U.S. are not eligible to apply.
  • Be a college sophomore or higher at the time of application. Must have completed at least one year as a matriculated undergraduate student at the time of applying.  Advanced Placement credits or other undergraduate credits obtained prior to undergraduate enrollment cannot be applied to meet the minimum one-year completion requirement.
  • Be available to participate in the full 10-week program.

Locations

Selections are based on a student’s qualifications and the needs of the appointment site/location. Proximity to the host is not factored during the selection process. The 10-week summer program may place students at one of several possible U.S. Department of Energy sites including but not limited to:

  • U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • National Energy Technology Laboratory 
  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Idaho National Laboratory
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Important Dates

  • Student Application Deadline: January 20, 2026 11:59pm EST
  • Application Status Notification: Mid/Late April 2026
  • Participant Orientation (virtual): May 2026
  • Participant Kick-off: Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C. 
  • Program Dates: Monday, June 1 to Friday, August 7, 2026
  • Technical Forum: Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA

Program Contact

Want to learn more about the MLEF Program? Register for one of our information sessions.

Visit our website www.energy.gov/fe/mlef for more information on the MLEF Program.

Contact MLEF@hq.doe.gov if you have any questions.