Experience ORISE

📣 Undergraduate Scholarship Competition: Exploring Quantum Computing

ORISE, in partnership with the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, invites undergraduate students to research the basics of quantum computing and create an infographic that teaches those basics to a general audience.

Scholarship awards:
🥇 1st place $5,000
🥈 2nd place $3,000
🥉 3rd place $1,000

📅 Deadline to enter: Nov. 30, 2026

🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/vGWT8CE

🔬 Interested in a summer internship at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory?

Join us for an interactive virtual event on Nov. 12, 2026, 1–5 p.m. ET, to learn about the Summer 2027 Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) and Community College Internships (CCI) programs!

These programs provide students and recent graduates with research and technical training opportunities at DOE national labs around the country.

At this event, you can:
✅ Attend live webinars with program info and application tips
✅ Chat directly with DOE program staff and lab representatives
✅ Join interactive activities, including a virtual scavenger hunt and leaderboard challenge

👉 Register now to reserve your spot: https://buff.ly/OKhBi4b

We're proud to announce the winners of the 2026 ORISE Ignite Off! competition 🎉

The annual Ignite Off! showcases the talents of interns and fellows in ORISE-administered programs as they present their research through five-minute Ignite Talks. Competitors use 20 image-focused slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds — challenging participants to communicate their research clearly, creatively and concisely.

The top three winners were announced during a virtual national viewing event held as part of the 2026 ORISE Symposium, featuring Ignite Talks from all 10 finalists. Audience members also selected a “Fan Favorite” presentation through a live vote.

Congratulations to this year’s winners! 👏

🥇 1st Place: Shams Al Azzawi, Research Student Internships Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

🥈 2nd Place: Meaghan Lightfoot, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

🥉 3rd Place: JB Zhu, Research Student Internships Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

⭐️ Fan Favorite: Sanskriti Dwivedi, Education Collaboration at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

🔗 Learn more at the link in the comments below. ⤵️

Congratulations to the winners of this year's ORISE Future of Science Awards! 👏

Presented annually since 2022, the Future of Science Awards celebrate excellence by ORISE program participants in the areas of scientific achievement, professional growth, project contributions and leadership. The awards also honor exceptional mentors who have played a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring ORISE participants.

The winners were recognized during a virtual ceremony held on Aug. 28, as part of the second annual ORISE Symposium.

Meet this year's honorees:

🏆️ Undergraduate Student and Post-Baccalaureate Award Winner:
Andrew Kim, Uniformed Services University

🏆️ Graduate Student and Post-Master’s Award Winner:
Lauren Dudley, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

🏆️ Postdoctoral Award Winner:
Kerry Candlen, Ph.D., U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center

🏆️ Mentor Award Winner:
Tirthankar Ghosal, Ph.D., staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Read more at the link in the comments below. ⤵️

The U.S. Department of Energy's Science, Technology and Policy Program is offering a fellowship opportunity at the Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office!

The office is seeking a total of four fellows, one for each of these sub-programs:

💠 Fuel Cell Technologies
💠 Production Technologies
💠 Systems Development & Integration
💠 Analysis, Codes & Standards

Visit the link in the comments below to learn more and apply. ⤵️

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation

Happy to the interns and fellows across the ORISE community! 🎉

At ORISE, we’re proud to support the next generation of STEM professionals as they gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and explore careers in science and technology.

Learn more about opportunities through ORISE at the link below. ⤵️

📣 Registration Now Open: ORISE Symposium 2026

Join us Aug. 25-28 to explore the evolving role of AI in STEM and connect with the ORISE community!

Learn more and register at the 🔗 in the comments below. ⤵️

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation is offering a fellowship opportunity in mineral processing technology and policy.

💠 Explore new analytical tools and methodologies
💠 Conduct research on critical minerals and materials
💠 Build relationships with other offices and stakeholders

⏳ Deadline: July 31, 2026
📍 Appointment Location: Washington, D.C.

Learn more and apply at the 🔗 in the comments. ⤵️

🚀 From intern to COO

While pursuing a degree in communications at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Josh Cunningham didn’t envision a career in STEM.

That changed with a science writing internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, administered through ORISE.

As an intern at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, Cunningham translated complex research — on topics like high-performance computing, quantum science and cybersecurity — into clear, engaging stories for the public.

His internship not only helped him hone his skills in science communication, but also gave him a deeper understanding of how ORNL operates and supports big science at scale.

Cunningham went on to join ORNL full time, contributing to scientific support and operational efforts that enable the laboratory’s research.

He now serves as chief operating officer for the Quantum Science Center, headquartered at ORNL, providing operational leadership in support of the center’s research mission and cross-institutional activities.

In this Q&A Spotlight, Cunningham reflects on what the internship has meant for his career — and the lessons that continue to guide his work today.

Read more at the link in the comments. ⤵️

📣 DOE Fellowship Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation is offering a fellowship opportunity with its Integrated Energy Systems Office.

Selected fellows will gain insight into the federal government's role in supporting the research and development of energy technologies and apply their scientific and technical knowledge to research solutions for energy challenges.

⏳ Deadline: July 31, 2026

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://buff.ly/4wYlZ1S