The IBUILD Fellowship

The U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office (BTO) leads a network of research and industry partners to develop and bring to market, cost-effective decarbonization solutions—better products, better new homes, better ways to improve older homes, and better buildings in which to work, shop, and lead our everyday lives.  The primary goal of the U.S. Department of Energy BTO is to lead the rapid decarbonization of the U.S. building stock by 2050 while centering benefits to all communities. To expedite the transformation and widespread adaption, the office’s funded research has contributed to decarbonization including new technologies in demand reduction and flexibility, grid response and resilience, and electrification for both new and existing buildings.

The Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Graduate Research Fellowship, managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, aims to strengthen the pool of well-trained, diverse PhD scholars who are equipped for research-intensive building technologies careers in academia, industry, and the national labs. IBUILD Fellows will receive research and educational support to conduct innovative research at their home institution in an area with demonstrated relevance to building decarbonization.  In addition to funding high quality research, the fellowship will provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

There is a diversity gap in STEM (including building science), meaning that certain groups are underrepresented or have been historically excluded from STEM fields. These groups include, but are not limited to, those based on race, ethnicity, and gender — and this gap needs to be addressed. As part of the next generation of building science thought leaders and researchers, IBUILD Fellows have a unique opportunity to influence this industry.