ACEP internship program builds Alaska’s next workforce
Yuri Bult-Ito
907-474-5402
Dec. 10, 2025
Fairbanks-based interns gather in summer 2025 in front of UAF’s Usibelli Building, which houses the Alaska Center for Energy and Power’s Fairbanks office.
The Alaska Center for Energy and Power summer internship program is accepting applications for summer 2026.
The program offers undergraduate interns opportunities to engage in the energy ecosystem of Alaska through projects in marine, geothermal or high-latitude solar energy, heat pumps, cyberinfrastructure or data analysis.
For 10 weeks, interns gain hands-on research experience in Fairbanks or Anchorage and skill development in applied energy research under faculty mentorship.
“By providing mentorship and hands-on experiences, we are creating pathways for students to bring their lived experience in Alaska to grow skills that address complex energy challenges in our state,” said Annalise Gerlach, ACEP program architect, education and workforce development lead.
The program offers three tracks:
- 鶹 Experiences for Undergrads, for students embarking on their first research experience, supported by the National Science Foundation.
- ACEP Undergraduate Summer Internship, for experienced students interested in an advanced research project, supported by a grant from the Office of Naval 鶹.
- Utility-鶹 Partnerships, a new track for research conducted by ACEP and local utility collaborators.
“These internship projects build out a network of innovators and creative thinkers, building our future homegrown workforce in Alaska,” added Gerlach.
ACEP has employed over 200 summer interns since 2008. In 2025, 17 students were selected for the internship from 162 applicants from around the nation. Past ACEP interns have gone on to careers in areas including energy development, engineering and policy, and some of the past interns are now mentoring the next generation.
Students interested in learning more about the internship and projects should visit the 2026 internship program page. Visit ACEP’s internship program website to learn about past intern projects.
The application period is open through Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Successful applicants will be offered interviews in mid-February.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Patty Eagan, pmeagan@alaska.edu
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