2025 Institute for Energy Solutions Graduate Program
About the Institute for Energy Solutions Graduate Fellows Program:
The Institute for Energy Solutions (IES) Graduate Fellows program is a one-year program that brings together graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at the University of Michigan from diverse disciplines who are interested in advancing future energy solutions via interdisciplinary networks. IES graduate fellows will have the opportunity to share their expertise and learn from each other and IES faculty about current energy challenges and opportunities for interdisciplinary advances on energy topics. The graduate fellows will participate in monthly gatherings where they will share energy-related knowledge on current research topics. The fellows will also be expected to attend the IES Energy Seminar Series, including writing a synopsis of one of the seminars, which will be included in the IES newsletter and website. At the end of the program, the fellows will summarize the outcomes of their activities and share recommendations for the next iteration of the IES graduate fellow program.
Commitments for Graduate Fellows:
- Monthly lunch meetings with IES fellows, each fellow will give a presentation on their work to the other fellows (designed for a broad audience)
- Participation in IES events including fall and winter networking dinners, a kick-off event (Jan 2025), and a closing event (Jan 2026)
- Attendance of bi-weekly IES Seminar Series (>80% attendance of seminars)
- Writing at least one synopsis of an IES Seminar
- We expect a rough time commitment of 1-2 hours per week
Who is eligible?
Current doctoral graduate students who are in the second year or later of their program and postdoctoral scholars at the University of Michigan (any campus). Participants must be able to participate in-person at the UM Ann Arbor campus throughout the Winter 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters. In-person participation is not required for Summer 2025.
Why participate?
- Join a network of multi-disciplinary graduate fellow energy enthusiasts
- Broaden your awareness and knowledge about energy solutions
- Share your domain expertise with other energy scholars in broad disciplines
- Develop and broaden connections with University of Michigan internal energy expert community as well as with external energy experts
What is the support and timeline?
- Annual support of $2500 per fellow
- Program duration: January 14, 2025 – January 13, 2026
How to apply?
Complete the online application form which includes the following brief essay questions and required documents.
- Why would you like to join the IES Graduate fellows program? Specifically, what energy-related experience will you share with the fellows, what are you hoping to learn, and why do you want to join an interdisciplinary environment? (maximum 200 words)
- Describe your contributions, current or proposed, toward creating more inclusive and equitable energy solutions (maximum 200 words)
Supporting documents required:
- Resume/CV, which should be uploaded within the online application form.
- Letter of recommendation from your PhD/postdoc advisor addressing the potential impact this program will have on you and your studies, and addressing the selection criteria provided below. The letter MUST include the statement: “I have read the scope/content of the IES Grad Fellows Program and I agree to my student’s participation in this program. I acknowledge the time commitment and expectations.”
- One additional letter of recommendation, preferably from a University of Michigan faculty member, addressing the selection criteria provided below. Both letters should be emailed to [email protected] with your name in the subject line.
Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, October 31, 2024
Selection criteria:
30% Demonstrated record of energy expertise
30% Commitment to interdisciplinary, inclusive and equitable energy solutions
40% Letters of recommendation