Center for Advanced Energy Studies Director Steven Aumeier is ramping up his efforts to recruit Idaho students into STEM related fields.

This week, Aumeier and officials from CAES and the Idaho National Laboratory announced a new scholarship for college students pursing a career in science, technology, engineering or math.

The CAES Energy Scholars program will allow students accepted into the program to complete research at CAES and INL facilities in Idaho Falls.

In order to be eligible, students must be pursuing a STEM path at Boise State University, Idaho State University or the University of Idaho.

Scholarship recipients will complete their internship during the summer of 2014 and conduct research into nuclear engineering, bioenergy, material science, modeling and simulation and cybersecurity.

“We really want to open the way for Idaho students to excel,” Aumeier said in an INL news release. “We want to attract the best and the brightest, and send them off with the best background and education for their careers.”

Students will be required to present their work to other INL and CAES researchers.

Aumeier said the program is designed to help launch careers in the competitive world of energy research. Aumeier himself benefitted from a similar program at the Argonne National Laboratory while he was a nuclear engineering student.

“I wouldn’t have gotten this far into working in laboratories without this kind of program,” Aumeier said. “It is an investment in people, to help the Idaho students succeed; whether they leave Idaho or decide to stay — these investments need to be made.”

For more information, email intern program specialist Erin Hanson.