Ph.D. students in the United States now have a new opportunity to advance their research in the country's most advanced laboratories. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has officially opened applications for the Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program, an initiative that allows doctoral students to collaborate with industry experts and access cutting-edge equipment. Applications for the first cycle of 2025 must be submitted by Wednesday, May 7, 2025, by 5:00 PM (ET).
What is the SCGSR Program?
The SCGSR (Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program) is a program supported by the DOE Office of Science to assist Ph.D. students enrolled in U.S. universities. The main goal is to provide direct financial support to enable participants to conduct part of their research at one of the DOE’s 17 national laboratories, working closely with experienced scientists.
Since 2014, the program has funded over 1,200 students from 168 universities across the United States. The research projects funded cover essential fields of study crucial to scientific and technological development, including:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Planetary and Geosciences
- Biosciences (non-medical)
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Engineering
- Microelectronics
- Quantum Information Science
- Artificial Intelligence
The funding covers travel, accommodation, and other research-related expenses for a period of three or twelve months.
Orientation Workshops
To assist students in preparing their applications, the DOE has organized two free online workshops:
- March 6, 2025 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET) → Program overview, eligibility requirements, and allowed research areas.
- April 10, 2025 (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM ET) → Application guidance, tips for writing research proposals, and Q&A with scientists and former winners.
Interested participants can register for the workshops directly via Zoom.
An International Research Experience
In addition to the opportunity to conduct research at DOE laboratories, some selected students may have access to short international research visits at prestigious scientific centers. This additional element is designed to encourage collaboration between U.S. and international researchers and broaden participants' scientific perspectives.
The SCGSR program is managed by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, in collaboration with six DOE research offices, the Office of Isotope R&D and Production, and the national laboratories. Administrative support is provided by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.
How to Participate
All details about the application process, eligibility, and deadlines are available on the official SCGSR program website. Additionally, the coordination team will hold virtual support sessions every Friday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (ET), starting March 7, 2025.
Interested participants can register for the workshops via Zoom.
Glossary
- DOE (Department of Energy) → The U.S. Department of Energy, responsible for energy policies and scientific research.
- SCGSR (Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program) → A research grant program for Ph.D. students that allows them to conduct part of their work at DOE national laboratories.
- ET (Eastern Time) → Time zone of the U.S. East Coast.
- Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists → A DOE office dedicated to the professional development of teachers and emerging scientists.
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education → An organization that supports the DOE in managing research and training programs.
