A new program to help American Indians students get internships and make tribal areas more energy efficient is underway.

In February, George T. Skibine, deputy assistant secretary for policy and economic development of Indian affairs, announced the Energy Resource Development Tribal Internship Program. According to an article by The Circle, the program is an effort to recruit and train American Indian and Alaska Native students to become the next generation of tribal energy and natural resource management professionals.

The program was developed through a partnership between the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, the Council of Energy Resource Tribes and the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. The program hopes to increase the number of American Indians and Alaska Natives who can effectively manage a tribe's energy and natural resources.

“This internship program will offer an exciting opportunity for American Indians and Alaska Natives interested in the science and engineering professions, two fields where they are traditionally under-represented,” Skibine said in the article. “It will also help tribes by developing a cadre of professionals who have the training and expertise to aid them in managing the development of their energy and natural resources.”

Under Title V of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Secretary of the Interior is required to provide technical assistance to Indian tribes seeking to develop energy resources, establish an Indian energy resource development program and further the goal of Indian self-determination.

The program, which will begin this summer and last 10 weeks, will be held annually. The deadline for applications is April 3. Applicants will be considered based on their ability and skills to perform necessary tasks, if their needs will be met by the program and if they are interested in developing capabilities in sustainable energy programs.