Process

I’m ready to compete! Where do I start?

1. Confirm your eligibility.

To be eligible for awards, all team members must be able to verify they are a current student in the United States and 18 years of age or older (or the age of majority in the student’s state of residence, whichever is older) at the time of entry.

Please see the Terms and Conditions for the full JUMP requirements, and review the JUMP into STEM Building Technologies Internship Program (BTIP) application criteria.

Team members must have completed their internship application or declined internship consideration when the idea is submitted.

2. Form a team.

University and college students must participate in teams of 2 – 4. Team submissions will be evaluated for technical potential, innovation, diversity, and applicability.

3. Review the Challenges.

During the fall semester, JUMP into STEM will open three challenges for students to compete for awards. Read each current challenge to consider the specific questions and review the response criteria. The topics for the 2023–2024 program were:

• Keepin’ it Cool (or Hot)
• That’s a Wrap!
• You and Me, Carbon Free!

4. Submit your solution.

Student teams select one challenge and respond with a solution. Full submissions will include:

• Project Team Background
• Abstract
• Project Challenge Submission (Background, Problem Statement, and Solution)
• Technology-to-Market Plan
• Image
• References
• Appendix (optional).

Detailed guidance, including page limits, may be found in the requirement sections of each challenge and in the Rules.

5. The Challenge Judging Process

After the JUMP into STEM challenges close, the judging process will begin as follows:

• Idea submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Judging panels are balanced with representatives from the private sector, the U.S. Department of Energy, national laboratories, and academia.
• The panel of judges will evaluate submissions using the evaluation criteria.
• JUMP into STEM will award one winner from each challenge. These winners will receive a token of recognition.
• Challenge winners and additional teams will be invited, if eligible, to compete in the JUMP into STEM Final Competition.
• Final Competition winners receive a 10-week paid summer internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, or Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.