Students | Education, Engagement & Early-Career Development

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Undergraduate + Graduate Students

NSF NCAR undergraduate and graduate programs help connect the next generation of scientists with opportunities to advance their careers, their skills and their understanding of dynamic Earth system science research. These programs are made possible through the utilization of NSF NCAR’s prestigious researchers, facilities and equipment.

All programs listed here are open to students accepted to, or currently attending, an institution of higher education in the United States. Participants must be at least 18 years of age by the first day of their appointment or the date otherwise indicated.

We accept students with strong backgrounds in atmospheric sciences, chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, and engineering. However, as part of our goal to make atmospheric research broad in national scope, we also provide our opportunities to students in related fields such as biology, geology, science education, economics, and geography.

Being an Intern at NSF NCAR and UCAR

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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.

Explore the GVP

Our Student Opportunities

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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.

Group of undergraduates pose in front of a research aircraft

Undergraduate Leadership Workshop

The ULW brings undergrads to NSF NCAR to learn about potential career paths, build a network with their peers, and learn leadership and professional skills.

NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship

The NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI) offers undergraduate students interested in the Earth system sciences an opportunity to conduct research with NSF NCAR scientists from across all labs on a wide range of topics.

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CISL Summer Internships in Parallel Computational Science

Our SIParCS program, run by the Computational & Information Systems Laboratory (CISL), offers students the opportunity to gain significant hands-on experience in high-performance computing and related fields that use HPC for scientific discovery and modeling.

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EOL Summer Undergraduate Program for Engineering Research

SUPER, based in our Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL), provides unique experiences that help prepare engineering students for successful careers. Interns help develop new instrumentation and improve our existing suite of lower atmosphere observing facilities.

Research Experience for Undergraduates in Solar and Space Physics

This program gives highly motivated students interested in solar and space physics the opportunity to work with a number of Boulder institutions, including NSF NCAR's High Altitude Observatory.

Newkirk Fellowship

This fellowships allows students to work with guidance from scientists and engineers at NSF NCAR's High Altitude Observatory (HAO) on projects related to their thesis, qualifying exams, or other research projects.

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Najeeb E. Halaby Graduate Student Fellowship

This fellowship, offered by NSF NCAR's Research Applications Laboratory (RAL), allows a student to spend three months in residence with RAL's Aviation Weather Research Program and is designed to help shape the next generation of researchers in this important field.

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.

A visualization of the hole in the ozone layer

ACOM Cicerone Fellowship

The Ralph Cicerone Fellowship in atmospheric chemistry and Earth system science is designed to promote and support graduate student research through mentoring and training. These students will come for four months over a two year period to work with scientists in the Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling (ACOM) lab on a self-defined project.

Student Employment

Check our active job postings for paid student positions and internships at both NSF NCAR and UCAR.