Graduate Visitor Program

Graduate Visitor Program

The NSF NCAR Advanced Study Program (ASP) Graduate Visitor Program (GVP) Fellowship offers an excellent opportunity for graduate students to spend time at NSF NCAR working on their thesis, dissertation, or final project equivalent, with guidance from NSF NCAR scientists and engineers. The GVP also provides a chance to develop research collaborations at NSF NCAR and to participate in professional development workshops and seminars. The fellowship covers travel expenses and provides a housing allowance for visits from 2 to 3 months. Visits longer than 3 months can be accommodated if the graduate student has additional co-sponsorship funds (either from their university or from their NSF NCAR collaborator). Additionally, the fellowship supports travel for the student’s advisor for a one-week visit during the student’s time at NSF NCAR.

                                         Applications are now open through November 9th, 2025!

 

Upcoming GVP Virtual Office Hours – September 29, 2025
GVP staff will host two virtual office hours on Monday, September 29, 2025, one for prospective graduate students and one for hosts. These drop-in hours are informal and provide an opportunity to ask questions about the Graduate Visitor Program, including important updates to the 2026 application process.

  • Office hours for students: 10:00 AM (MDT)
  • Office hours for hosts: 11:00 AM (MDT)

Register using the links below:

Requirements

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

Before submitting an application, the student must identify an NSF NCAR scientist or engineer who will serve as a host. The student must contact the scientist or engineer to confirm their availability to serve as a host for tasks related to the student’s thesis, dissertation, or final project. If you need assistance identifying a host, please contact the Graduate Visitor Program office via email at asp-gvp-program@ucar.edu. 

The student will collaborate with the host to develop a work plan as part of the application process, which will be submitted by the host by the application deadline.

  1. Students must complete a student application. 

    Student application form preview, click here.

  2. Hosts must submit a host nomination in support of the student. 

    Nomination form preview, click here.

  3. Hosts must submit the work plan developed with the student. 

    Work Plan Template, click here.

Work Plan Submission Steps

  1. Download the Template
    The host downloads a copy of the work plan template and saves it to their Google Drive.
  2. Share with the Student
    The host shares the Google Drive document with the student for collaborative editing.
  3. Collaborate and Complete
    The host and student work together to complete the work plan.
    Note: The work plan is a living document and can be updated and referenced throughout the visit.
  4. Review and Approval
    Both the student and the host(s) review the final version and confirm their approval.
  5. Submit the Work Plan
    The primary host shares the hyperlink to the completed work plan by emailing it to:
    asp-gvp-program@ucar.edu

Hosts should:

  • Engage with students before they begin the application process and provide suggestions or feedback on their research methods and ideas, laboratory research priorities and goals, and NSF NCAR strategic priorities and goals. This can be done through email or a virtual meeting.
  • Answer specific questions regarding the feasibility of a science project, ideas, or theories.
  • Discuss the candidate's research interests and background, including relevant experience, computing background, and prior work. This may involve reviewing figures, simulations,  or other supporting materials. Scientists may provide feedback on the student’s application questions; however, they should not contribute directly to writing any part of the application. proposal.
  • Take an active role in developing the work plan to ensure completeness and alignment with the GVP’s goals and objectives.

Selection Criteria and Eligibility

This opportunity is intended for advanced Master’s and Ph.D. students in good standing at their home institution. Students conducting research with a focus on atmospheric and related Earth system science, space weather, engineering, education research, social sciences, and/or scientific computing are encouraged to apply. The applicant’s work must align programmatically with the NSF NCAR laboratory strategic goals and priorities, and the visit must be an integral part of the student’s thesis or final project. 

Students enrolled in degree-granting institutions in the U.S. (including U.S. Territories) are eligible to apply, as well as students with U.S. citizenship enrolled at universities outside of the United States. For students with U.S. citizenship enrolled at universities outside of the U.S., the NSF NCAR host laboratory or the student’s home institution is asked to provide co-sponsorship to help offset additional international travel expenses. The student will receive the same living allowance as students studying in the U.S. 

Note: Due to increased visa wait times and costs, non-U.S. citizens or non-Green Card holders at universities outside of the U.S. are no longer eligible to apply for the GVP. 

Length of the Award

The GVP will sponsor visits from 2 to 3 months. Visits longer than 3 months can be accommodated if the graduate student has additional co-sponsorship funds (either from their university or from their NSF NCAR collaborator). The proposed length of the visit must be clearly justified in the student’s application and should align with the scope and the goals of the proposed project. Applicants with personal circumstances requiring a stay of less than 2 months should consult with GVP staff prior to submitting an application.

Visits for the 2026 GVP program may begin no earlier than March 2026 and must begin by the end of the 2026 calendar year.

Financial Support

What the GVP supports:

  1. For Student - One trip to/from Boulder and a living allowance of $2500/month to cover duplicate housing expenses. Students residing within a 50-mile radius of Boulder are not eligible for travel support or per diem. Please note that the living allowance may be taxable.
  2. For Advisor - Travel expenses for the student's advisor to make a one-week visit (typically Monday - Friday) during the time the student is at NSF NCAR. While such a visit is encouraged, it is not required. Please note that GVP funds cannot be used to support travel for federal employees.

What the GVP does not support:

  1. Student salary or benefits:  The GVP requires that visiting students receive adequate financial support (e.g., salary or stipend) from their home institution
  2. Health insurance: While not required for U.S. students, health insurance is strongly recommended.
  3. Travel during the visit: The GVP does not cover trips home during the student’s visit. If personal circumstances require additional travel, this must be discussed with GVP staff in advance.
  4. Workshops and conferences: Students are welcome to apply for and attend conferences and workshops during their visit; however, the GVP does not cover associated costs.
  5. Computing, laboratory, and facility support: The GVP does not operate any laboratories or provide supercomputing allocations. Any required resources, such as laboratory facilities, computers, and supercomputing allocations, should be arranged in advance of the visit with the NSF NCAR Host and their laboratory.

Timeline:

  • Applications open - September 8th, 2025
  • Applications close - November 9th, 2025
  • Students will be notified of their application status by January 1, 2026.
  • Earliest visits may start - March 2026
  • Latest visits may start - December 2026

Action Items/Checklist:

  • Reach out to potential hosts
  • Confirm host(s)
  • Work with host(s) on application materials and work plan
  • Confirm whether the student’s advisor will be visiting during the student’s visit in the student’s application
  • Submit student application form (submitted by student)
  • Submit host nomination (submitted by host)
  • Send and share the work plan hyperlink to asp-gvp-program@ucar.edu (submitted by host)

Contact

Please direct questions/comments about this page to:

Graduate Visitor Program

Administrative team

email