About the Program

NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory is one of the nation's preeminent research laboratories focused on understanding the Earth system, which includes physical, chemical and biological processes over scales from local to global and periods from minutes to millennia.

ESRL researchers are recognized as international leaders in a variety of fields such as carbon cycle science, climate diagnostics and attribution, ozone chemistry, weather prediction and water systems, air quality, and observation system design. CIRES-affiliated faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU), reflect the diversity of CIRES research programs, including courses in complex systems, ocean-atmosphere coupling, land-atmosphere coupling, hydrology, geophysical data analysis, remote sensing, and science and environmental policy.

Development of a graduate research program within a professional research laboratory, such as ESRL, presents a significant opportunity for scientific discovery and professional development. The ESRL-CIRES Graduate Research Fellowship creates the opportunity for students to achieve academic excellence with the guidance of a CIRES (or CIRES-affiliated) faculty adviser and to conduct their graduate research with the support and direction of an ESRL scientist, who will serve as the co-adviser. Fellowship recipients will allocate their time as follows:

Year 1. Primarily at CU campus during fall and spring to complete coursework, 100% at ESRL during summer. Initial summer employment at ESRL may begin prior to first fall semester at CU.

Years 2+. Primarily at ESRL during fall and spring to complete research, 100% at ESRL during summer.

The Award/Support
Students selected for the ESRL-CIRES Graduate Research Fellowship will receive full tuition; partial health insurance; half-time (50%) stipend during the academic year and 100% stipend during the summer; and approved travel to one professional meeting. Master's students will be supported for two years and Ph.D. students for four years.

Selection Criteria
Candidates will be evaluated on their accomplishments to date and their abilities toward making significant contributions in their chosen field of science. Ability to communicate and to work independently, creative problem solving skills, educational record, and research to date will all be considered. Letters of recommendation will be required.