The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder is now accepting applications for its prestigious Visiting Fellows Program — one of the most competitive and respected environmental science fellowships in the United States.

This program offers postdoctoral and sabbatical researchers the chance to conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in collaboration with CIRES scientists and NOAA laboratories in Boulder, Colorado.

Applications open October 20, 2025, and are due January 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST.

About the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program

For over 50 years, the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program has hosted more than 350 scientists from around the world. Many have gone on to build distinguished careers at CIRES, NOAA, and other leading research institutions.

The program’s mission is to advance innovative environmental science by fostering collaboration among experts in fields such as climate change, oceanography, atmospheric science, hydrology, and earth system processes.

Funded primarily through CIRES’ partnership with NOAA, the Visiting Fellows Program provides a unique platform to pursue independent research, develop new partnerships, and influence global scientific understanding of our planet.

Fellowship Details

• Postdoctoral Fellowships: Two-year term
  • Annual salary: $70,000 (Year 1) with a merit increase in Year 2
  • Includes a $8,000 research budget, a laptop, and relocation support (for individual applicants)
• Sabbatical Fellowships: Up to 12-month term for senior researchers on leave

All Fellows will join the vibrant scientific community in Boulder and present their research at the CIRES Rendezvous Science Symposium or a CIRES-hosted seminar.

Eligibility

To apply, candidates must:

• Hold a PhD in a field related to CIRES’ work
• Be no more than four years post-PhD at the time of application (exceptions may be granted for caretaking or exceptional circumstances)
• Not be a current or former CU Boulder graduate student or CIRES Fellow

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages, NSF format)
2. Transcripts
3. Cover Letter (1–2 pages)
   • Include your expected start date, sponsoring CIRES Fellow(s), and the nature of collaboration
   • Explain your fit within the CIRES community and your research growth goals
4. Research Proposal (max 3 pages)
   • Outline motivation, methods, and expected outcomes
   • Show alignment with CIRES research areas and interdisciplinary value
5. Three Letters of Recommendation
   • Must highlight research potential, creativity, independence, and teamwork skills

 Important: Applicants should contact potential CIRES sponsors well in advance of submitting an application. Proposals without sponsor support are unlikely to succeed.

 Timeline

• Competition Opens: October 20, 2025
• Info Session: November 3, 2025 (10 AM MST)
• Application Deadline: January 1, 2026 (11:59 PM MST)
• Recommendation Letters Due: January 8, 2026
• Results Announced: Spring 2026

Why Apply?

This is more than a fellowship — it’s a career-transforming opportunity. As a CIRES Visiting Fellow, you will:

• Collaborate with top-tier NOAA and CU Boulder scientists
• Gain access to world-class research facilities and networks
• Develop innovative, interdisciplinary environmental research
• Join a global community committed to understanding and protecting our planet

Applications close January 1, 2026.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the official CIRES Visiting Fellows portal HERE. Google Chrome is the recommended browser.

For visa-related or eligibility questions, contact:
Becca Edwards, Director of Access and Cultural Innovation — Here

Janet Garcia, International Employee Specialist — Here

Take your environmental research to new heights with CIRES.
Learn more and apply at here.

Application Review and Selection

Once applications are submitted, they go through a careful review process conducted by a panel of CIRES Fellows. The selection committee evaluates each applicant based on both the required application materials and several key factors.

Evaluators consider the quality and impact of the applicant’s past research, including evidence of scientific rigor, innovation, and productivity. They also assess the candidate’s potential to advance environmental science, which may be demonstrated through research publications, previous awards, fellowships, or other scholarly achievements.

Another important factor is the ability of the proposed project to foster meaningful collaborations — especially those that could strengthen scientific understanding and partnerships between CIRES and NOAA. Finally, strong endorsement and active engagement from a CIRES Fellow or Senior Research Scientist sponsor significantly enhance the application’s competitiveness, as these relationships are central to the program’s collaborative research model.

For more opportunities, click here.