Apply to be a URI Energy Fellow
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the URI Energy Fellows Program?
The Energy Fellows Program offers full year paid internships to undergraduate and graduate students from all academic majors including Communications, Public Relations, Engineering, Environmental Majors, Data Science, Business/Finance and more. Students are selected for positions with industry partners, government agencies and at URI that address real world energy and sustainability challenges. In addition to 600 paid internship hours Fellows attend industry events and receive specialized training in energy and sustainability topics, leadership and communication.
When does the program start?
Energy Fellowships begin in January. Students work through the spring (~10hr/week), summer (up to 35 hr/week) and fall semesters (~10hr/week), ending in December. In addition to training sessions, events and conferences throughout the year, Fellows gain a minimum of 600 paid internship hours with their mentor.
Where do students work?
Students are placed based on skills and interests with mentors seeking comparable skills. For example, 2023 Energy Fellows are currently placed at:
- RI Office of Energy Resources – Public Relations Team
- RI Office of Energy Resources – Renewable Energy, Heating Sector & Transportation Teams
- Optimal Energy
- Rhode Island Energy (formerly National Grid)
- RISE Engineering
- City of Providence Office of Sustainability
- RI Commerce Corporation – Renewable Energy Fund
- RI Department of Environmental Management – Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition
- URI Cooperative Extension – Energy Literacy Team
- and more!
Apply to be an Energy Fellow!
Apply today for the Energy Fellows Program that begins in January.
Apply now via handshake
Who should apply?
Motivated undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in sustainability, energy and the environment. Students enrolled in any academic major through December of the program year are eligible.
Interested, but need more information?
Schedule a time to speak with the Program Coordinator via Handshake (August – November) or contact the program coordinator via email at kkeane@uri.edu.
Interested in academic energy-related courses?
URI’s new Energy Economics and Management Certificate Program offers students the opportunity to take energy-related economics and management courses and earn special academic credit in addition to their major degree. Students should also search the URI course catalog for individual classes available in energy topics.
Learn more about the Energy Fellows Experience
Each year URI Energy Fellows work with private companies and organizations, state agencies and URI Faculty and staff on real-world projects in the energy sector. Learn more about past students and their experiences on our Meet the Fellows page.