How to Apply
- Application Assistance Workshop 1: “Overview of the SCGSR Program and Application process”
March 7, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET;
Click to view presentation.
- Application Assistance Workshop 2: “Q&A, Application and Proposal Guidance”
April 18, 2024, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET;
Click to view presentation.
- Application Assistance Workshop 1: “Overview of the SCGSR Program and Application process”
September 14, 2023, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET;
Click to view presentation.
- Application Assistance Workshop 2: “Q&A, Application and Proposal Guidance”
October 10, 2023, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET;
Click to view presentation.
Application Requirements
All applications to the SCGSR program must be completed through the online application system.
The SCGSR Program Application Requirements Include:
- Required Fields of the Online Application System
- SCGSR Research Proposal
- Official Graduate Transcripts and Proof of Ph.D. Candidacy
- Two Letters of Support
Applicants should create an account on the SCGSR online application system well before the application deadline and become familiar with the application information requested.
- The online application system will guide applicants through the application requirements.
- Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered for evaluation and placement.
- Materials uploaded into the online application system will provide the sole basis for evaluation. It is recommended that the applicant review the Application Evaluation and Selection prior to completing the application.
Submitted official transcripts must have all Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth redacted or removed (blanked out, blackened out, made non-visible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. These items are considered protected PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and must not be shared. Any applications found to contain PII in the form of Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth will be deemed non-compliant and will not be considered.
Video Guides: Click to view the video guides to assist you with your application.
- Transcripts and Proof of PhD Candidacy
- Letters of Support: Instructions for DOE Laboratory Scientists and Ph.D. Advisors
- Letter of Support: Instructions for Graduate Applicants
- Priority Research Areas and The Merit Review Criteria
Required Fields of the Online Application System
Applicants must complete all required fields in the online application. This includes:
- Contact Information
- Academic Information, including Current Graduate Program Information
- Citizenship or Permanent Residency Status
- Professional Information, such as Scientific Publications and Awards
- Graduate Thesis Advisor and Collaborating DOE Laboratory Scientist Contact Information
SCGSR Research Proposal
The SCGSR research proposal is developed by the applying graduate student in collaboration with a collaborating DOE laboratory research scientist, and in consultation with the student’s primary graduate thesis advisor. The SCGSR research proposal includes the scope of thesis research proposed to be conducted at the DOE laboratory/facility. The research proposal must be submitted online with the online application. Guidelines for development of the research proposal, as well as specific proposal format and required elements, can be found here.
*Duplicate Application: An application whose SCGSR research proposal is the same as that of a SCGSR application already awarded from a previous SCGSR solicitation cycle is a duplicate application and will NOT be considered in any other SCGSR solicitation cycles.
Official Graduate Transcripts and Proof of Ph.D. Candidacy
Applicants are required to upload a PDF copy of their current graduate transcripts to the online application system. Applicants must provide official proof that they have successfully completed the Ph.D. candidacy requirements at their current graduate institution. If the submitted official transcript does not explicitly show the applicant’s Ph.D. candidacy status, and the date or academic term when his or her Ph.D. candidacy was achieved, then the applicant is required to submit additional official proof for validating the Ph.D. candidacy in the online application. The acceptable official forms of proof for Ph.D. candidacy are: 1) an official, signed letter from the applicant’s university/college Registrar’s office; or 2) an official, signed letter from the Chair of the applicant’s academic department. In either case, this letter must describe the institution’s/department’s/program’s requirements for Ph.D. candidacy (including the URL, if the requirements are available online), how the applicant fulfills the requirements, and the date or academic term when the applicant has achieved his or her Ph.D. candidacy.
Submitted official transcripts must have all Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth redacted or removed (blanked out, blackened out, made non-visible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system. These items are considered protected PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and must not be shared. Any applications found to contain PII in the form of Social Security numbers and/or dates of birth will be deemed non-compliant and will not be considered. View details on submitting acceptable transcripts.
Two Letters of Support
Two Letters of Support are required, and must be provided through the online application process. These include:
- A Letter of Support from the graduate student’s primary graduate thesis advisor.
- A Letter of Support from the collaborating DOE laboratory scientist.
Applicants request the Letters of Support through the online application system. Applicants provide contact information in the online system and, through the system, send automated email notifications with instructions to the primary graduate thesis advisor and the collaborating DOE laboratory scientists. These individuals must submit their letter of support through the online portal using the instructions provided. Applicants are encouraged to begin their discussions about the proposed SCGSR research proposal as early as possible with these individuals so that their letters of support can be completed with full knowledge of your proposed research and your preparedness for such research.
Letters of Support are due before the application closing date and cannot be submitted outside the online application system. View guidance and details on submitting Letters of Support.
