2026 NSF SOARS First-Year Protege

Job Description Summary :

UCAR is excited to announce the application opening of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) program. NSF SOARS is an undergraduate-to-graduate bridge and career pathways program designed to promote and support research, mentoring, and community in the atmospheric and Earth system sciences (ESS).

The summer research experience includes opportunities to engage in original scientific research, written reports and presentations, seminars, as well as peer and community mentoring. NSF SOARS Proteges can participate for up to four summers conducting research in atmospheric and ESS. NSF SOARS offers comprehensive financial support for summer research, and conference travel.

NSF SOARS invites students from multiple STEM disciplines including but not limited to : chemistry, ecology, engineering, geography, mathematics, meteorology, physics, and the social sciences to deepen their expertise in understanding the Earth's Atmosphere. The NSF SOARS program offers support for all students to achieve success in higher education and in the ESS workforce to actively contribute to finding solutions to our most pressing scientific and societal challenges and supporting economic growth in this country.

Position Details : Visa Sponsored Job :

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible :

No

Job Location : Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term :

Full time, Term - Casual (Fixed Term)

Compensation Min - Mid Range :

$23.41 / hour (up to $936.40 / week), untaxed

• Please note that NSF SOARS Proteges stipends are not taxed, and as such will need to file a 1099 for personal tax reporting / filing purposes.

Application Notes

Deadline : Applications must be submitted by 11 : 59pm MT on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Applications will not be accepted past this date, and candidates will receive a status update no later than Monday, March 16, 2026.

Register for our How to Apply to NSF SOARS Webinar on Thursday, November 13 at 2 : 00 pm MT

Required application materials - Uploaded / submitted within the application.

Unofficial Transcripts from all institutions attended (preferably in PDF Format)

Please REMOVE / BLACKOUT your social security number and / or birth date if it is shown on your unofficial transcript.

Transcripts with security encryptions / password restrictions WILL NOT be accepted.

DO NOT include High School transcripts.

2026 NSF SOARS Essays ( view our AI guidelines )

NSF SOARS is designed to promote and support Research , Mentoring , and Community . As part of your application, you will be asked to submit three separate essays (up to 3,000 character limit per essay), each focused on one of these components.

Research - NSF SOARS Proteges spend eleven weeks conducting original research at the NSF NCAR or other NSF SOARS sponsors with world-renowned scientists. By the end of the summer, Proteges will prepare scientific papers and present their research.

Describe your previous research or problem-solving experiences, and how the skills you gained will help you contribute meaningfully to your research project.

What are your career goals, and how could participating in NSF SOARS help you achieve them?

If undecided, what scientific questions or topics are you most passionate about, and how do you hope to explore them through this program?

Mentoring - NSF SOARS is a unique program that offers multi-dimensional mentoring to Proteges. Proteges work with their mentors on a research plan and are responsible for communicating with their mentoring team, organizing meetings, etc.

Describe an experience where you took initiative, guided and supported peers, and / or collaborated to achieve goals. Please include how you will apply these skills to your mentor teams.

What do you hope to gain from receiving mentorship as part of the NSF SOARS program?

Community - NSF SOARS is deeply invested in cultivating a supportive community where Proteges and mentors learn together, forming meaningful relationships while developing leadership and communication skills. Proteges are encouraged to grow as researchers and as scientific leaders who see science as a way to contribute to a better world.

Describe a situation when you helped build or sustain a positive, supportive community. What strategies or lessons did you use to collaborate, lead, or solve problems? The situation does not have to be related to science, research, or education.

If you haven't had this experience, explain what you believe makes a positive and supportive community and how you would contribute to one in the future, including any strategies you'd use to collaborate, lead, and problem-solve.

How could your approach to community and leadership enhance the experience for your peers and strengthen the NSF SOARS program as a whole?

Contact Information of Two (2) References

At least one (1) reference must be for a faculty member / professor, the other can be from a mentor, supervisor, or other professional.

Consider asking references who can speak to how you embody the three pillars of the NSF SOARS Program (research, mentoring, community).

Background checks are conducted for candidates who are offered the internship opportunity. Learn more.

Work Authorization / Visa Sponsorship : Not available . You must be (a) a current U.S. Citizen; (b) lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or (c) a protected individual as defined by 8 USC1324b(a)(3).

Work Location : This position is open to students seeking in-person and hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Duration of Internship : Monday, May 18, 2026 - Friday, July 31, 2026 (11 weeks)

Travel & Accommodation : NSF SOARS Proteges will receive housing accommodations and round-trip travel to Boulder, CO for this internship. Please note that the benefits listed below in the Benefits Overview section do not apply to summer interns.

What You Will Do

The NSF SOARS program is built on the three pillars of Research, Mentoring, and Community. As a Protege, you will gain hands-on research experience, dedicated mentorship, and a supportive community to help launch your career in the atmospheric and related sciences. NSF SOARS empowers you to take ownership of your summer experience, strengthen your scientific and professional skills, and prepare for the next steps in your academic and career journey.

Key Responsibilities

As an NSF SOARS Protege, you will engage in the following opportunities and responsibilities as well as uphold the UCAR Participant Code of Conduct during your internship :

Research

Conduct scientific research at NSF NCAR, UCAR, UCP, or partnering organizations in Boulder, CO.

Collaborate closely with research and writing mentors to advance your project.

Participate in training workshops on scientific writing, data science, communication, leadership, and professional skills.

Complete weekly writing assignments and meet project deadlines.

Develop and deliver two scientific presentations, a research poster, a research paper, and an abstract by the end of the program.

(Optional) Present your research at a national scientific conference and contribute to NSF SOARS outreach. Conference travel is funded and may occur during the academic year.

Mentoring

Co-create and maintain a summer work plan with your mentor team.

Take initiative in organizing and leading mentor team meetings.

Communicate regularly with mentors and actively seek and provide constructive feedback.

Contribute to your mentor team and cohort by offering insights, ideas, and collaboration.

Community

Actively contribute to a positive, welcoming, and professional community with peers.

Participate fully in NSF SOARS events and / or activities with occasional social events occurring outside of standard work hours, as well as funded travel opportunities.

Engage in technical and career development seminars with peers and scientists.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria :

Education & Experience

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program; or associate's degree program;

Must have completed at least one (1) year of undergrad;

Community College students and Associates degree holders are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Must have at least one (1) semester of undergraduate coursework remaining after the initial summer program;

Bachelor's degree holders are ineligible to apply.

Working toward an academic major in atmospheric science or a related field, (e.g. geosciences, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, physics, or social and behavioral sciences) and an interest in pursuing a career in atmospheric or related STEM disciplines;

Possess some college science and math coursework.

A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

If your GPA is less than 3.0, please address the circumstances in your Research essay.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Willingness to contribute to the NSF SOARS mission (please see soars.ucar.edu for more details) .

Interest and desire to expand knowledge in the Earth system sciences or related fields.

Ability / potential to lead and collaborate with a group of peers and mentors.

Desire / potential to excel in a STEM career.

QUESTIONS?

For help with the Workday application process, please reach out to Meghan Myron-Karels ( meghanmk@ucar.edu ).

For general questions regarding the NSF SOARS program, please contact Marissa Vara ( marissav@ucar.edu ).

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

Some Final Considerations

At NSF NCAR| UCAR | UCP , you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and / or flexible work hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.