Eligibility and benefits

Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. university and available 40 hours per week from May 19-August 1, 2025 (tentative dates).

Applicants must also be authorized to work in the United States. For F visa students accepted by the program, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization issued through a U.S. Designated School Official (DSO) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) issued through both a DSO and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be required. International students at U.S. universities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduates completing their sophomore year or higher are eligible, as are seniors who are graduating in December 2025 if they are enrolling in graduate school.

Seniors graduating in May or June 2025 who are enrolling in graduate programs for Fall 2025 are eligible for graduate positions. Please mention this in your personal statement. (Seniors graduating in May or June 2025 who are NOT enrolling in graduate school are ineligible.)

Graduate students

Graduate students who are continuing in graduate programs for Fall 2025 are eligible. Undergraduate seniors graduating in May or June 2025 are eligible for graduate positions if they are enrolling in graduate programs for Fall 2025. Please mention this in your personal statement.

Preferred skills/abilities

Ability to work with a diverse group of peers
Skill in the use of software for communication purposes (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, Google Meet, Zoom)
Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs
Good oral and written communication skills
Basic problem-solving skills
Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions
Potential to excel in a scientific career
Basic knowledge of mathematics, computer science or engineering - through coursework
Ability to work full-time (40 hours/week) during the summer program
Ability to interact with mentors & peers in a manner to support collaboration and inquiry
Ability and willingness to work within guidelines and policies of organization and assigned work groups

Benefits

Interns are paid a competitive hourly wage. Hourly rates for 2025 are $22.79 for undergraduates and $27.58 for graduate students.

Other benefits:

Housing with your own room and shared bathroom.
Travel funding to and from Boulder from your home university.
Regional Transportation District (RTD) EcoPass for travel within the Boulder/Denver metro area.
Professional development workshops during the summer and opportunities for funding as an alum.
Networking opportunities with professionals and other interns.

Summer expectations

Participants are expected to attend technical seminars and skill-enhancing workshops.

Interns will also give an oral presentation of project results, create a scientific poster, and present their work at a poster session.

Important dates (tentative)

January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. NSF NCAR & SIParCS Offices closed.
January 21, 2025: Application deadline (11:59 p.m. MST)
Early February 2025: Intern selection begins. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Mid- to late February 2025: Candidate interviews.
Late February to mid-March: Offers to selected candidates.
May 17-18, 2025: Move-in day for intern housing.
May 19, 2025: SIParCS program begins.
May 26, 2025: Memorial Day Holiday, NCAR closed. Unpaid for interns.
June 19, 2025: Juneteenth Holiday Observed, NCAR closed. Unpaid for interns.
July 4, 2025: Independence Day Holiday, NCAR closed. Unpaid for interns.
July 29-31, 2025: Intern presentations and poster symposium.
August 1, 2025: SIParCS program ends
August 2, 2025: Move-out day for intern housing.