UCAR Next Generation Fellowships

About this program

UCAR, managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and supported by NSF NCAR, offers the two-year Next Generation Fellowship to graduate students investigating the interplay between Earth system science and societal impacts; the award provides $40,000 over two years, paid Fellowship Visits (up to 20 weeks), conference funding, professional coaching, and cohort-based professional development. Fellows are placed into Science Research, Public Policy, or Transdisciplinary and Convergence Research tracks and are paired with UCAR and NSF NCAR track mentors, participating in bi-monthly virtual cohort activities and summer in-person mentoring (commonly 8–12 weeks). Eligible applicants are graduate students who will lead a defined fellowship project, integrate it with their ongoing research, and build connections between track mentors and their faculty advisors. Applications for the 2026 cohort open in February, with information sessions held during the application period.