How to Apply to The NOAA Weather Program Office (WPO) Innovation for Next Generation Scientists (WINGS) Dissertation Fellowship Program

Please check back for the Class of 2024 application deadlines.

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A program designed to train the next generation of climate research leaders

The WINGS Ph.D. Dissertation Fellowship, supported by NOAA’s Weather Program Office (WPO) and administered by UCAR’s Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS), will develop and foster the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholars, with the goal of bolstering the future workforce of America’s Weather Enterprise.

The WINGS Fellowship is designed for Ph.D. candidates who have completed their required coursework, and are in the beginning stages of writing a dissertation. Fellows will work with their academic advisor and a mentor recommended by WPO and CPAESS, to provide guidance during the dissertation process. This inaugural award year will focus on research relevant to NOAA’s Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) Program mission - to serve as a catalyst for community research and modeling system advances that continually inform and accelerate improvements in the Unified Forecast System (UFS), spanning local to global domains and predictive timescales from sub-hourly analyses to seasonal predictions.

Check out the NOAA EPIC Webinar for more information about the program.

Students who are accepted to this program will be placed with a NOAA mentor during their fellowship.

Qualifications

Applicants must have completed their doctoral coursework and have passed their qualifying exam, or have had their proposal accepted in an area of research relevant to WPO's research, and are about to embark on their dissertation. This year the focus will be on research that connects with the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC)'s program and mission.

CPAESS strives to have diverse representation of universities and student backgrounds in the postdoctoral fellows cohort each year. We encourage applications from individuals who are members of a group that is historically under-represented in the atmospheric and related sciences, including students who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latino, female, LGBTQ, first generation college students, veterans, and people with disabilities.

U.S. citizenship is not a requirement of the Weather Program Office (WPO) Dissertation Fellowship.

Please review Selection Criteria and Program Policies before applying.

How did you find us?

Before you apply, please fill out this very short form.

Thank you!

Application Process

There are two steps to the application process:

Prepare your application according to the Application PDF Format Instructions listed below.
Submit your application online according to the Online Application Instructions listed in the second section below.

Application PDF Format Instructions

Please prepare your application in one (1) PDF document, in the order listed below.

1. Cover Letter (one-page limit)

A cover letter stating the name of this program, and what interests you in this fellowship. Please also add a justification statement, if applicable, to explain any breaks in the career path.

2. Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum vitae should include - at a minimum - relevant presentations and publications, training, and community involvement and outreach.

3. Proposed PhD dissertation title, abstract, and proposal description

Note: Description must be titled and not exceed five pages including figures and appendices (minimum 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial type size).

The Inclusion Response Statement is NOT included in this 5-page limit.
Proposals must describe the specific research project they intend to conduct.
Proposal should be original, not sourced from a previously funded proposal to a different funding agency.
Address the broader impact of your research to the community at large.

4. Statement of relevance and future interactions with NOAA (one-page limit)

Applicant Statement of Relevance should enhance and complement the research goals outlined on the NOAA website.
Future interactions with NOAA could include using NOAA data, establishing new collaborations with a NOAA scientist, giving a talk on your work and research outcomes at a NOAA Laboratory or Program Office, etc.

5. Inclusion Response Statement (one-page limit)

UCAR and CPAESS embrace a work environment that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable. Our employees come from diverse backgrounds, and we strive to create the kind of inclusive, supportive, and welcoming workplace that will attract and retain an even greater diversity of individuals in the future. As part of the commitment, we require an "Inclusion Response Statement" from applicants that addresses the role of inclusion, diversity, and equity in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The “Inclusion Response Statement” must address past efforts, as well as future vision and plans to advocate for and advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the organization and/or field of work. A demonstrated record of past effort will be given greater weight than stating future plans. The steering/selection committee will take into consideration the experience level of the applicant when reviewing these statements.

6. Mentor Plan (one-page limit)

Each proposal must include, as a supplementary document, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided by the university advisor for the PhD Candidate. This can include, but are not limited to: Orientation; Career Counseling; Publications and Presentations; Professional Development.

7. Your References

Please fill out this form to provide names, emails, and affiliations for 2 professional references. Automated emails will be sent to these references to submit feedback to set questions.

Note: Applicants are responsible for contacting their references to notify them that they will receive an automated message requesting feedback.

One reference must be from a thesis advisor.
Reference writers from more than one institution are encouraged.
Applications without a minimum of two (2) references are incomplete and may not be reviewed by the Selection Committee.
Your reference writers must complete their form responses by February 10, 2023.

Online Application Instructions

You must apply online at the UCAR Career Opportunities Page

Step 1.

To begin the application process select the "Apply" button. When prompted, create a new account. If you have applied to a different position within UCAR please sign in to your existing account.

Step 2.

You will then be prompted to submit your current resume as seen below. At this point, upload your complete application as one (1) PDF document and select "Next".

Quick Apply Screen Shot

Step 3.

Add any missing information and/or edit and verify any information that autofilled on the My Information and My Experience pages.

You may receive the following Alert:

Please note your application has been received. The software was not able to use the information provided in your application to autofill the My Information and My Experience pages. Please proceed by adding any required missing information.

Step 4.

Continue the application process as prompted.

Questions on the Workday application process may be addressed to HR Recruiting, or 303-497-8703.

Step 5.

Please fill out this form to provide names, emails, and affiliations for 2 professional references. Automated emails will be sent to these references to submit feedback to set questions.

Note: Applicants are responsible for contacting their references to notify them that they will receive an automated message requesting feedback.

One reference must be from a thesis advisor.
Reference writers from more than one institution are encouraged.
Applications without a minimum of two (2) references are incomplete and may not be reviewed by the Selection Committee.
Your reference writers must complete their form responses by February 10, 2023.

Questions

General questions regarding this fellowship program may be addressed to Kate Rodd at krodd@ucar.edu or Cindy Bruyère at bruyerec@ucar.edu.

U.S. citizenship is not required to participate in this program, but the selected doctoral fellows must be hosted at a research institution within the U.S. Appointed scientists are employees of UCAR. The two-year fellowships include a fixed annual salary and benefits: health & dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, mandatory participation in TIAA retirement fund, and life insurance. A relocation allowance is provided as well as an allowance for travel to scientific conferences and other support costs.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer that strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce. 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 the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.