How to Apply

Application is now open. Prior participation is required to apply for placement in the Fall 2024 term. Applications are due May 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET.

Access to the online application system is available here.

Application Assistance Workshop Events

VFP Previous Workshop Recording

November 17, 2023: Learn strategies to submit a compliant and competitive application and get answers to your questions. View the recording here.

December 1, 2023: Hear real stories of the VFP experience through an alumni panel discussion. View the recording here.

You’re invited to view the previous workshop presentationand video.  

Application Requirements

• First-time faculty applicants:  As soon as you have decided on the national laboratory to which you will apply and have identified your laboratory co-investigator, create an account for your application here and email the laboratory’s VFP point of contact (see https://science.osti.gov/wdts/vfp/How-to-Apply/Selecting-a-Host-DOE-Laboratory) to request that a “WARS account” be created for your co-investigator. It is important to do this early in the application process.
• All applications to the VFP program must be completed through the online application system.
• Starting Spring 2023 term, the VFP program will be extended to non-summer terms to encourage faculty’s continued research engagement with DOE national laboratories. During a non-summer term (Spring or Fall), the program will focus on faculty participants only and last 10 weeks.

The Faculty Application requirements include:

1. Completion of all required fields in the applications, including:
   • Contact and Academic Information
   • Citizenship status
   • Research or Teaching Proposal
   • Essays
   • Student Participation - Optional
2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV), submitted online
   • Submitted materials must have all social security numbers and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. Any applications found to contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in the form of Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth will be deemed non-compliant and will not be released to host laboratories or facilities for review or consideration.
3. Two Recommendations, submitted online
   • Applicants must have two recommendations submitted in support of their application. Recommendations from individuals familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the VFP Program are suggested. Note: Applicants to the VFP Teaching Experiencing Track must submit at least one recommendation from their department head or dean. The recommendation must indicate explicitly the department head or dean’s approval of the faculty member’s application and participation in the program.
   • Based upon recommender contact information entered as part of the application process, the application system automatically sends an email message to recommenders with information on how to access and submit their recommendation. Requests for recommendations can be made by using the “Final Submit” action in the recommendation request section.
   • WDTS will not accept any mailed or emailed recommendations.
   • Applicants may solicit a minimum of two, but up to three, recommendation requests from individuals familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the VFP Program. The first two recommendations that are completed in the system will be the only ones included with your application.
4. A research project proposal that is co-developed with the research staff located at the host DOE laboratory, submitted online (see proposal guidance)

*The Student Application requirements include:

1. Completion of all required fields in the applications, including:
   • Contact and Education Information
   • Citizenship Status
   • Laboratory/facility choice and research interests
   • Essays
2. Undergraduate transcripts, submitted online
   • Eligibility requires any applicant to submit a copy of their currently/most recently attended university/college-issued transcript. This must be the most recent transcript available at the time of application.
   • Eligibility also requires that applicants submit undergraduate transcripts from any other undergraduate academic institutions attended as a matriculated student.
   • Transcripts must be uploaded as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files into the application system, and must be clearly legible, must be labeled with your name and the name of the university/college, and must clearly show all courses, all course grades, and a cumulative GPA. The application system provides an easy to use upload feature. Do not mail or email transcripts directly to DOE - they will not be considered.
   • Acceptable transcripts may either be (i) a hard-copy transcript issued to you suitably scanned and saved for uploading as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file, and/or (ii) an unofficial transcript provided electronically to you directly from your university/college either via a website or email suitably saved for uploading as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file.
   • Submitted transcripts must have all social security numbers and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. Any applications found to contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in the form of Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth will be deemed non-compliant and will not be released to host laboratories or facilities for review or consideration.
3. Two Recommendations, submitted online
   • Applicants are encouraged to make the requests for recommendations as soon as possible. It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform their recommenders that they must submit their recommendation using the online system by the application deadline. Additionally, it is suggested that the applicant discuss this request in advance with potential recommenders, and allow adequate time for the recommender to act on this request. If the application system generated email request for recommendation is not received by the recommender, please check that their email address is entered correctly on the application, or advise the recommender to check their email filter settings. Depending on these filter settings, the recommendation request email message might have been received into a “Trash” or “Spam” message inbox. Recommenders will receive the Recommender Request via email from SC.VFP@science.doe.gov, and to ensure delivery, they may also consider adding SC.VFP@science.doe.gov onto their safe recipients list.
   • Applicants must have two recommendations submitted in support of their application. Recommendations from individuals familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the VFP Program are suggested.
   • Based upon recommender contact information entered as part of the application process, the application system automatically sends an email message to recommenders with information on how to access and submit their recommendation. Requests for recommendations can be made by using the “Final Submit” action in the recommendation request section.
   • WDTS will not accept any mailed or emailed recommendations.
   • Applicants may solicit a minimum of two, but up to three, recommendation requests from individuals familiar with the applicant’s education, training, experience, aptitude, or promise relevant to the VFP Program. The first two recommendations that are completed in the system will be the only ones included with your application.