FAQ: Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship 2021-2022
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Applications for the 2021-2022 Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship are open until August 16, 2021. Learn more about the program and application process below.
Still have questions? Contact us at info@vetsenergyproject.org
What is the Veterans Advanced Energy Project?
The Veterans Advanced Energy Project was created to educate military veterans on our global energy security challenges to show how a career in advanced energy can help them continue serving the country by improving national security. The idea was based on training by the State Department Bureau of Energy Resources conducts for Foreign Service Officer on the fundamentals of energy markets, policy, technology, and diplomacy. The two primary elements of the program are an annual summit and the fellowship.
What is the Atlantic Council/Global Energy Center?
The Atlantic Council is a DC-based nonpartisan nonprofit that promotes leadership and engagement in international affairs. Within the Atlantic Council, the Global Energy Center promotes energy security, by working on solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing energy landscape.
What is Advanced Energy?
Advanced Energy is defined by leading edge technologies including solar, wind, batteries, microgrids, advanced nuclear, electric vehicles, carbon capture, and end user energy efficiency.
What is the time commitment and program requirements for Fellows?
The program consists of monthly policy webinars on topics at the intersection of advanced energy and national security with experts from academia, think tanks, and industry. In addition, the fellows will work with an advisor from the Atlantic Council expert network on their own policy proposals for publication in the Energy Source blog. Because one of our goals is to maintain a national conversation around these issues, the fellows will also organize a local event for the veteran community in their hometown - such as a policy talk or seminar. Lastly, the fellows will participate as moderators and panelists at the 2022 Veterans Advanced Energy Week or Summit.
What is required for the application, eligibility, and selection process?
The fellowship is open to US veterans, reservists, and military spouses. Unfortunately we are not accepting applications from active duty service members. The application consists of a short essay, personal statement, resume, and letter of recommendation. The selection committee is comprised of members from the Global Energy Center staff and Veterans Advanced Energy Project Advisory Committee.
What makes an ideal candidate?
There are no specific education or age requirements - we are looking for high potential, high performing candidates that are expected to rise to the top of their careers in the next 10 years. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated passion and history of working in the advanced energy and national security industries, skills in policy development and critical thinking, and engagement in the veteran community.
What is the schedule/timing of all this and how long is the fellowship?
Applications are open through August 16. We will hold interviews and make selections in August and September. The fellowship is a year-long, part-time program culminating in the Summit next year.
What is the cost and how does the cost sharing work? What exactly do you get for your money?
The participation fee is $5,000 for candidates from private industry and $1,500 for government or nonprofit candidates. The fee allows participation and access to the Atlantic Council experts and networks. It helps pay for the program management involved in planning for the webinars, policy papers, and the summit. It will cover the airfare and hotel to the summit next year, as well as seed funding for the local events and promotion of sponsorship organizations.
We encourage applicants to discuss the fee with employers as professional development budgets may cover this cost. There is a reduced participation fee based on merit available for people that cannot cost share and have demonstrated the financial need. If you are concerned about the cost, we encourage you to apply first which will initiate a discussion about the fee.
How do I get more information?
Visit the Fellowship website or email us at info@vetsenergyproject.org.
The 2020 video below features a conversation between Founder & Co-Director Dan Misch and Advisory Committee Member Liz Ramsay-Dalton. Although the video was recorded last year, all of the information is applicable to this year’s fellowship.
