NISS-EIA Applied Methodology Student Research Program
General Information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has established an Applied Methodology Student Research Program to be conducted jointly with the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS). This program is designed to engage students in graduate programs in collaborative, interdisciplinary research on topics of interest to EIA. Research projects undertaken by students and their technical mentors at their home universities and their research sponsors at EIA will advance methodology and address specific research questions that are important to EIA programs.
Students may apply either for full-time summer support, or for research support during the academic year as either a full or partial stipend. Ordinarily academic year research will be conducted at the student's university; summer research may be conducted either on-site at EIA (if the student is a US citizen) or at the student's university with visits to EIA as necessary to consult with the EIA project sponsor as required by the particular project. No individually identifiable microdata will be available off-site of EIA.
Graduate students in statistical science disciplines (statistics, operations research, economics, etc.) together with their faculty mentors are encouraged to identify a research area proposed by EIA and to define research objectives in conjunction with EIA staff prior to submitting a full proposal. Awards are made based on the strength of the applications and the applicability of the research to EIA. These are renewable based on accomplishments and approved future plans. U.S. citizenship is not required; women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Use of EIA restricted databases must conform to the EIA Data Protection Policy.
Proposed Research Topics
The research topics listed below identify general areas of interest to EIA. Specific topics for research and their priorities change; descriptions of current high-priority research objectives are available on line. An updated list of proposed research topics and additional information on topics listed below and on EIA databases is available here.
* Alternative Editing and Imputation Methods for EIA Establishment Surveys
* Combined Heat and Power Plant Fuel Allocation Methodology
* Potential Use of Cointegration Analysis in EIA Projection Models
Other topics of interest include (but are not limited to)
* Using the Internet to Collect and Edit Online Data from Establishments
* Survey Design for Establishment Surveys
* Edit and Imputation for Establishment Surveys
* Macroeconomic Linkages to a Linear Programming Formulation of World Energy Markets
* Forecast Models for Early Estimates
Application Information and Procedures
Graduate students in accredited programs are encouraged to apply for an NISS-EIA Applied Methodology Student Research grant to carry out their graduate research, provided their graduate advisor has the requisite expertise to direct research in the areas proposed. Applicants, with their faculty mentor's concurrence, must submit a research proposal for competitive evaluation by NISS and EIA. The proposals will be evaluated on the value of the research to EIA, the EIA resources required, the scientific merit of the proposed research, and the quality of the applicant's research proposal. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, especially women and members of minority groups. U.S. citizenship is not required.
Applications for student research awards should be submitted electronically and must contain the following required information:
• Student's curriculum vitae (include computing skills and relevant coursework)
• Transcript
• The names and addresses (street and e-mail) and phone numbers of three references who may be contacted
• Faculty mentor's name, addresses and phone number, with brief statement of relevant research qualifications for supervision of the proposed research
• Research proposal (maximum 5 pages double-spaced, 12-point font) including:
o Short descriptive title
o Faculty mentor and EIA topic or research area (if applicable)
o Abstract summarizing project (one-half page maximum)
o Proposed project term (approximate)
o Proposed research
o Proposed work tasks
o Data base access requirements
o Resource requirements and budget
Applications should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the proposed award starting date to ensure timely consideration.
Submit applications electronically (preferably in pdf format) to: eia-student-application09 at niss.org
Send requests for further information and other correspondence via email to eia.niss@niss.org
or directly to
Attn: NISS_EIA Student Research Program
P.O. Box 14006
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-4006
Further information about the Program or specific research topics can also be obtained by sending email to Ruey-Pyng Lu,
the EIA representative at:
Ruey-Pyng Lu
U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Information Administration
EI-70
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20585
Tel. 202-586-5985