Applications for the 2027 NESSI are now closed, and will open November 9, 2026.

 

*Please read this FAQ's page in its entirety before submitting your application. *

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Applicants must be available to participate full-time (40 hours/week) during the 11-week program. Program dates are May 17 - July 30, 2027. You must be able to arrive in Boulder by May 16.
  2. Important Note: Due to the NESSI program's scheduling requirements, we are unfortunately unable to accomodate students enrolled at colleges or universities that operate on a quarter-based academic calendar.
  3. Undergraduates completing their sophomore year or higher are eligible.
  4. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a U.S. university or college.
  5. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, green card holder, or authorized to work in the U.S. to be eligible for the NESSI program.

    • For F1 visa students that are accepted to the NESSI program: a CPT work authorization issued through a U.S. Designated School Official (DSO) or OPT issued through both a DSO and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be required.

       

BENEFITS

  • Paid a competitive hourly wage for a 40 hour work week
  • Travel accommodations to and from Boulder, CO (beginning and end of program)
  • Housing at the University of Colorado’s Bear Creek Apartments to be shared with up to three other participants
  • Weekly professional development workshops
  • Networking and social opportunities with professionals and other interns
  • Opportunity to gain skills in presenting research in a conference setting


 PREFERRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

  • Ability to work with a group of peers
  • Skill in the use of software for communication purposes (Google and/or Microsoft suite of applications)
  • Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Basic problem-solving skills
  • Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions
  • Potential to excel in a scientific career
  • Basic knowledge of mathematics, computer science, or engineering - through coursework
  • Ability to interact with mentors & peers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry
  • Ability and willingness to work within the guidelines and policies of the organization and assigned work groups


 SUMMER EXPECTATIONS

  • Work on-site 40 hours per week (except for designated holidays)
  • Attend skill-enhancing professional development workshops
  • Give an oral presentation of research conducted throughout the summer
  • Create and present a scientific poster at the end-of-summer student conference

STEPS FOR APPLYING

***For tips on the ethical use of AI in applications, please read this document- Guidelines for the Use of AI Tools in Application Materials ***

  1. Review eligibility and academic standing requirements listed above.
  2. Obtain an unofficial transcript from your college or university. You can likely download a free copy from your school's Student Portal.
  3. Reach out to professors and others to act as references. **Please note: We do not collect or accept recommendation letters, only reference contact information. We may reach out for these references when making our final selection.
  4. Update your resume/CV
  5. The cover letter must not exceed two pages and should be single spaced, use standard one inch margina, and have a font size of no smaller than 11 points. Applicants must address each of the following topics in their cover letter:

  • 1. Motivation and Alignment with NESSI / NSF NCAR

    What interests you about participating in the NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI) program? Please describe what attracted you to this opportunity and what you hope to gain from conducting research and learning at NSF NCAR. Suggested maximum: 200 words

  • 2. Earth System Science Research Interests and Curiosity

    What topics, scientific questions, or real-world challenges related to Earth system science are you most curious about, and why? Please share any experiences, coursework, personal interests, or activities that have sparked your curiosity. You do not need to have prior research experience. Suggested maximum: 250 words

  • 3. Educational and Career Goals

    What are your current educational and career goals, and how do you envision the NESSI experience helping you work toward them? Consider how research experience, mentorship, professional development, or connections with other students and scientists could support your growth. Suggested maximum: 200 words

  • 4. Preparation and Potential for Research

    Research involves curiosity, problem-solving, persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to learn. Describe an experience that helped you develop one or more of these skills. This experience may come from coursework, employment, personal projects, extracurricular activities, or other aspects of your life. How might these skills help you succeed in a research internship? Suggested maximum: 250 words

  • 5. Contributions to the NESSI Cohort and Program

    NESSI brings together students with different academic interests, experiences, and perspectives to learn and grow as a cohort. What strengths, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the NESSI community? How would you contribute to a collaborative and supportive learning environment? Suggested maximum: 200 words

6. Prepare your application packet.

  • Make each document a separate PDF, and upload them into Workday in the prompted file.

            (1.) Cover Letter, (2.) Resume/CV, (3.)Transcript

  • Name each document as the example below.

Example : 

“1. Cover Letter- YourLastName_YourFirstName”  

"2. Resume- YourLastName_YourFirstName" 

"3. Transcript YourLastName_YourFirstName"

7. Apply through Workday.

  • Applications are now CLOSED

  • Upload reference contact information and other information requested on the questionnaire
  • *TIP* When uploading your initial resume/CV, the system will scan your resume and autofill prior job information. You only need to list one (1) prior job in the system, so you can save time by removing any additional positions. Please note that the system requires at least one (1) prior job entry to proceed.
  • *TIP* Desired Salary: We have a set hourly salary for interns, which is not open to negotiation.  You can put "N/A."


 IMPORTANT DATES

  • November 9, 2026: Applications open
  • January 4, 2027, 9:00 AM MT: Application process closes
  • Early to Mid-March: Offers sent to selected candidates
  • May 17, 2027: NESSI program begins
  • May 31, 2027: Memorial Day; NSF NCAR closed
  • July 4, 2027: Independence Day; NSF NCAR closed
  • July 27-29, 2027: Intern presentations
  • July 30, 2027: Program ends