UCAR Next Generation Fellowship Grant

UCAR Next Generation Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Amount: US $40,000
Last Updated: March 09, 2026

Summary

The UCAR Next Generation Fellowship offers graduate students a unique opportunity to engage in Earth System Science research while addressing societal impacts. With a $40,000 fellowship over two years, participants can expect mentorship from UCAR leaders and professional development training. This program encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing fellows to collaborate closely with experts, attend conferences, and build lasting networks. It aims to empower diverse students as future change-makers in the field, fostering a commitment to equity and innovation.

Overview

UCAR Next Generation Fellowship The UCAR Next Generation graduate Fellowship is a prestigious, multi-faceted opportunity to explore the interplay between the areas of Earth System Science research and its impact on society. Fellows engage with, and learn from UCAR’s leaders in these four arenas while participating in dedicated professional development and leadership training opportunities. Each Fellow receives a $40,000 Fellowship over two years ($10,000 twice per year); Fellowship Visits that entail up to 20 weeks of paid research trip to Boulder, CO or Washington, D.C. or other agreed upon location; funding to attend conferences, professional coaching; and the support of a like minded cohort. The primary goals of this program are to facilitate engaged, motivated “Next Generation” students in exploring the intersections between science and society and to support Fellows in becoming change-makers in the field of atmospheric and Earth System Sciences. The Next Generation Fellowship facilitates an equitable collaboration between a graduate student (the Fellow) and their track mentors (UCAR/NSF NCAR experts). Fellows are responsible for leading the work pursued during their Fellowship, and have considerable freedom to build interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborations. How the Fellowship Functions The Next Generation Fellowship program recruits graduate students into a specific Fellowship tracks on which they will focus, although interdisciplinary exploration is encouraged: Science Research Public Policy Workplace Culture and Development Transdisciplinary and Convergence Research Although each Fellowship experience is customized for the individual Fellow as much as possible, the overall Fellowship experience follows a similar arc. During the academic year, most Fellows meet occasionally with their track mentors to build a relationship and share ideas for how they would like to collaborate. Meanwhile, Fellows participate in bi-monthly professional and cohort development activities (all virtual). During each summer of their Fellowship, Fellows will usually travel to Boulder or Washington DC (policy Fellows) and spend 8-12 weeks working side by side with their track mentors and other UCAR/NSF NCAR experts.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. UCAR's Next Generation Fellowship program is intended for graduate students in Earth System Sciences who are interested in the intersections between Earth System Science and Society.Additional requirements include:Attending a North American university (Canada, USA, or Mexico) as a graduate student from fall of the application year to at least the spring two years later;Hold an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science or a related Earth system science, such as one of the other geosciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, physics, or social science;Public Policy applicants must be US Citizens;Have a desire to forge cultural change in the field of Earth System Science;We strongly encourage applications from students of all races and genders, LGBTQ+ students, veterans, students with disabilities, and neurodiverse students , as well as students who have experienced educational or economic disadvantages, and/or who have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their continued progress in research careers.