AISES Energy Workforce Development Cohort Program

Deadline Extended to September 30, 2020

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Energy Workforce Development (AEWD) Cohort Program was created with support from United States Department of Energy (DOE). It is designed to support Native 2-year college students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) majoring in energy, energy conservation, business, or environmental fields to transition into 4-year degree programs in STEM.

Twenty-four cohort members will be selected to be paired with mentors in their respective fields and receive educational support services. The cohort members will receive support to prepare for a career in energy or related fields workforce, financial support to ensure retention, educational support to facilitate transfer from 2-year to 4-year institutions, and professional development to ensure the students are prepared to enter the workforce. This will include:

• $3,000 academic scholarship ($1,500 in Fall semester and $1,500 in Spring semester)
• Monthly mentor-mentee virtual meetings.
• Facilitated, virtual and in-person mentorship between students and AISES professional members in Energy and related fields and between students and AISES college chapters at relevant 4-year institutions.
• Quarterly webinars to facilitate the transfer process, career exploration, and workforce preparation.
• Travel scholarships to attend 2 in-person convenings focused on professional and leadership development in conjunction with AISES’ Leadership Summit (February 2021) and National Conference (September 23-25, 2021), featuring professional development from AISES professional members and partners in energy and related sectors.

To apply for this program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Enrolled in an accredited 2-year Minority Serving Institution majoring in energy, energy conservation, business, or environmental fields.
• Applicants must be an enrolled citizen or a descendant of an enrolled citizen of a federal or state recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village; or Native Hawaiian or descendant from a Native Hawaiian; or Pacific Islander or descendant from Pacific Islander; or Indigenous person of Canada. Enrollment documents and/or a copy of birth certificate(s) showing descendancy from an enrolled citizen, Indigenous group of Canada, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander are acceptable. Applicant may also, instead, provide a copy of their Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood or Certificate of Degree of Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) card.
• Applicants must be current AISES members at the time of application. All applicants will be required to enter a valid AISES membership number. Please note that membership is now free for all college students.
• Plan on transitioning to a 4-year degree program in STEM.

In addition to the application, applicants must submit the following:

• One letter of reference

If selected, you will be asked to provide an official transcript and tribal enrollment documentation.

Please submit application and required documentation at the following link:https://forms.aises.org/form/aises-energy-workforce-developme

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 5:00 pm MST. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Whiting, Associate Director of Programs at mwhiting@aises.org or (720) 758-9667.