The Society of Energy Scholars includes current graduate students and past graduate students and postdoctoral associates selected for support of their research on energy technologies or systems.
Energy Scholar applicants must be current MIT graduate students with an interest in advancing topics related to the zero- or low-carbon energy transition and demonstrated excellence in research. Energy Scholar funding cannot be used to support postdoctoral work even if the funding was first received when the applicant was a graduate student. Selection is based on a nomination from the faculty advisor, the alignment between proposed research and the interests of MITEI member companies that provide funding to the Energy Scholars program, and merit-based evaluation of proposals by MIT experts. In most years, MITEI supports fewer than 15% of applicants as new Energy Scholars.
The 2026-2027 Energy Scholars applications are closed.
Applications for the 2027-2028 Energy Scholar cohort may be submitted beginning in December 2026. Please check back for the details and due date.
MIT graduate students can apply to be an Energy Scholar using the online application form and attaching a single PDF containing (a) a two-page summary of proposed research (including title, background, problem statement or hypothesis, objectives, methods, and predicted outcomes; see application for guidance on references and figures) and (b) a curriculum vitae. The faculty advisor must complete a nomination form before the Energy Scholar application can be considered complete.
There are now nearly 600 members of the Society of Energy Scholars, which was renamed in 2025 from the Society of Energy Fellows, consisting of current graduate students and past graduate students and postdoctoral associates.
Energy Scholars receive invitations to MITEI member engagements and MITEI networking/social events and conferences. Those selected as Energy Scholars receive salary and tuition for 12 months, as well as a small fund for travel. Because Energy Scholars are sponsored by MITEI’s member companies, selected students have special obligations. They must:
- Certify that they will not work on research funded by another energy company during the period of their Scholar appointment
- Meet with the sponsor at least once
- Attend Energizing@MIT: MITEI’s Annual Research Conference and, if not already graduated, present a research poster at the conference
- Agree to have their photo posted on the MITEI website
- Provide a short final report that will be shared with the sponsor at the end of the funding term
Learn about our current and past Energy Scholars
These Scholars have been selected in recognition of their keen interest in energy and their excellence in research. Past cohorts have conducted research supporting a clean energy transition, including advancing green hydrogen production, biomining of critical materials, and improving battery technologies.
