The NETL Methane Hydrates Program is a Research Fellowship Program designed to support the development of Methane Hydrate science and enable highly qualified graduate and postgraduate students to pursue advanced degrees and training in an area of increasing national interest. With respect to the energy production potential of gas hydrates, interest is in projects that will provide improved tools, methods, and information relative to the remote detection, characterization, and appraisal of production potential of Methane Hydrates. With respect to gas hydrates as a part of the global environment, interest is in projects that provide an improved understanding of the processes that control the distribution, occurrence, and stability of gas hydrates in marine and permafrost settings.

Please note that this program is currently inactive but may resume in 2024.

Eligibility

• M.S., Ph.D., and Postdoctoral applicants
• Open to U.S. citizens only

Tenure and Terms of Appointment

• One year with the possibility of renewal (maximum tenure length listed under Stipends below)
• Any federal laboratory or accredited university in the United States

Application

Deadlines

• February Review - February 1
• August Review - August 1

Application Instructions and Requirements

Individuals interested in applying to the Methane Hydrates Program should send complete contact information for the proposed fellowship Adviser and the applicant's level (Master’s, Ph.D. or Postdoctoral) to rap@nas.edu. Once this information has been received and entered in our database, applicants will contacted by the Fellowships Office to register an online application through the NRC Research Associateship Programs application module.
Applicants should refer to the instructions provided for the NRC Research Associateship Programs.
The Research Opportunity number for the NETL Methane Hydrates Program is AH.00.00.B9001.

Stipends, Supplements, and Allowances

Stipends

• Master’s Level (Fellow) begins at $30,000 with a maximum 2-year tenure and an annual experience increment of $1,000 for the second year.
• Ph.D. Level (Fellow) begins at $35,000 with a maximum 3-year tenure and an annual experience increment of $1,500 for the second and third years.
• Postdoctoral Level (Research Associate) begins at $60,000 with a maximum 2-year tenure and an annual experience increment of $2,000 for the second year.

Experience Supplement

• Postdoctoral Associates will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past the Ph.D.

Supplement for Research Supplies

• Master's Students: up to $15,000
• Ph.D. Students: up to $20,000
• Research Associates: up to $25,000

Travel Allowance

• $6,000

Program Contacts

National Energy Technology Laboratory Methane Hydrates Fellowship Program (NETL/MHFP) - Morgantown, WV

• Dr. Richard Baker: (304) 285-4714, richard.baker@netl.doe.gov

NRC RAP Program Administrator - Washington, DC

• Dr. Eric Basques: (202) 334-2707, ebasques@nas.edu