Challenging the next generation of scientists and engineers to think beyond the lab in developing the energy systems of tomorrow.

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The application process for the first cohort is now closed. Decisions will be made by early March, and training begins in summer 2025.

The Boston University ENERGIZE program takes a different approach to graduate education research training. It creates an environment for innovators to think bigger and bolder about how to tackle sustainable energy storage and conversion challenges. This means broadening research perspectives beyond the lab and collaborating across disciplines to understand the impacts of technology breakthroughs. It’s about the bigger-picture connection to social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Program Focus and Approach

This new, interdisciplinary “Research Traineeship” program integrates data science in energy materials research focused on photochemical storage and conversion and electrochemical storage and conversion. Students in the program will benefit from workshops, lectures, and other opportunities with BU faculty across the University to expand their knowledge, in addition to receiving in-depth expertise in their specific studies. Training will emphasize the importance of collaboration across engineering, chemistry, computer science, and data sciences. In partnership with IGS, ENERGIZE will also combine technical expertise in energy systems with insights from the social sciences, building awareness of societal considerations such as health, justice, policy, and broader social impacts.

Starting in 2025, ENERGIZE will begin recruiting PhDs for the program, with the goal of training up to 125 students over five years. It will provide students with:

  • Deep expertise in their main discipline with a broad knowledge of sustainable energy
  • Strong communication skills through professional development, interdisciplinary teamwork, and internships
  • Training to translate academic research into solutions for real-world problems
  • Skills to communicate science to a diverse audience, including those in other fields, policymakers, and the public

The program will also encourage greater participation from underrepresented groups in STEM graduate education.


In the Media

Headshot of Malika Jeffries-EL BU Team Wins Major National Science Foundation Grant to Help PhD Students Attack Climate Change (8/22/2024)

ENERGIZE is led by Malika Jeffries-EL, Professor of Chemistry and the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. The program’s co-principal investigators are Emily Ryan, College of Engineering (ENG) Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and of Materials Science & Engineering; James Chapman, ENG Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering; David Coker, College of Arts & Sciences Professor of Chemistry and of Computing and Data Sciences; and Brian Kulis, ENG Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The program is supported by a $3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) collaborative grant to IGS and the Hariri Institute’s Center for Computational Science (CCS).

IGS-Affiliated Program Leaders:

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