The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder offers prestigious research fellowship opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists seeking to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to innovative environmental research.
Through its Visiting Fellows Program (VFP), CIRES invites talented scientists from around the world to join its interdisciplinary research community in Boulder, Colorado, United States. The programme promotes collaboration between visiting researchers, CIRES scientists, NOAA researchers, and University of Colorado academics to address important environmental challenges through innovative scientific investigations.
Established to encourage interdisciplinary research and international scientific collaboration, the Visiting Fellows Program has welcomed more than 350 scientists over the past 50 years. Many former participants have progressed into successful research careers within CIRES and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The programme particularly encourages applications from individuals belonging to groups historically under-represented in environmental sciences and related disciplines.
CIRES Visiting Fellowships provide researchers with an opportunity to develop their academic careers, establish international research partnerships, and contribute to scientific discoveries addressing environmental and climate-related challenges.
CIRES Visiting Fellows Program 2026–2027: Key Details
The fellowship programme offers two categories of research opportunities:
- Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships: Two-year research appointments for eligible postdoctoral scientists.
- Sabbatical Visiting Fellowships: Appointments of up to 12 months for senior scientists undertaking leave or sabbatical research.
- Host Institution: Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder.
- Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States.
- Application Opening Date: 19 October 2026.
- Application Closing Date: 21 December 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).
- Programme Funding: Primarily supported through the CIRES Cooperative Agreement with NOAA.
Applications are competitive, and prospective candidates are encouraged to establish contact with potential research sponsors before submitting their applications.
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship: Salary and Benefits
The CIRES Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship offers a two-year research appointment with competitive financial and research support.
Successful applicants receive:
- Annual Salary: $70,000 during the first year.
- Second-Year Salary: An increase in line with applicable University of Colorado campus merit adjustments or other base-building compensation increases, depending on the appointment start date.
- Research Funding: Up to $8,000 to support approved research activities.
- Relocation Assistance: A modest relocation stipend for the individual researcher. Family relocation expenses are not covered.
- Research Equipment: A laptop provided separately from the research budget.
These benefits are designed to support visiting researchers as they undertake collaborative research projects and contribute to the scientific activities of CIRES.
Eligibility Requirements for Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships
The programme is intended for qualified researchers with recent doctoral qualifications and research interests aligned with the work undertaken at CIRES.
Applicants must satisfy the following eligibility conditions:
- Hold a PhD in a discipline related to the research activities of CIRES.
- Have completed their PhD no more than four years before the application date.
- Complete their doctoral defense and obtain approval of all thesis revisions before the start of the CIRES appointment.
- Provide proof of the completed doctoral qualification before the official appointment commencement date.
Exceptions to the four-year eligibility period may be considered for individuals who have taken time away from research because of caregiving responsibilities or other exceptional circumstances. Applicants requiring clarification are encouraged to contact Becca Edwards at becca.edwards@colorado.edu.
The following applicants are not eligible:
- Current or former University of Colorado Boulder graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
- Current or former CIRES Visiting Fellows.
Application Requirements and Supporting Documents
Candidates applying for the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program must prepare a comprehensive application demonstrating their research experience, academic achievements, scientific interests, and potential contribution to the institution.
The required application materials include:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Applicants must submit a two-page CV using the National Science Foundation (NSF) template. The document should highlight academic qualifications, research experience, publications, awards, and relevant professional achievements.
Academic Transcripts
Official or required academic transcripts must be provided to demonstrate the applicant’s educational background and qualifications.
Cover Letter
A one-to-two-page cover letter should explain the candidate’s research interests, professional motivation, and suitability for the fellowship.
The cover letter must also include:
- Expected fellowship commencement date.
- Names of proposed CIRES Fellow sponsors.
- Names of relevant CIRES, NOAA, and University of Colorado researchers with whom collaboration is planned.
- An explanation of the proposed working relationships and collaborative research activities.
- Reasons the applicant would make a valuable contribution to the CIRES scientific community.
- Alignment between the applicant’s research interests and the CIRES Strategic Plan.
- A description of a pivotal experience that influenced the applicant’s development as a researcher.
- An explanation of how the fellowship would strengthen the applicant’s research methodology, technical abilities, and professional development.
Research Proposal
Applicants must submit a research proposal of no more than three pages, including figures. The document must use 12-point font, while figure captions may use 10-point font. References are excluded from the three-page limit.
The proposal should clearly outline:
- Research motivation and scientific background.
- Originality and potential contribution to the relevant research field.
- Main research question.
- Proposed research methods and methodology.
- Expected findings and outcomes.
- A realistic timeline for completing the research activities.
- Scientific justification for conducting the research at CIRES.
- Connections between the proposed research and the work of the sponsoring CIRES Fellow or Senior Research Scientist.
Proposals should be accessible to a broad scientific audience because applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary scientific committee.
Three Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must provide the names and contact details of three professional or academic referees who can submit recommendation letters.
Letters should provide specific examples demonstrating the candidate’s:
- Research capabilities and ability to complete assignments within reasonable timelines.
- Independent thinking and analytical skills.
- Creative problem-solving abilities.
- Commitment and passion for the research field.
- Perseverance when dealing with research challenges.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
CIRES sponsors are not permitted to provide recommendation letters.
Candidates are responsible for contacting their referees and ensuring that all recommendation letters are submitted before the application deadline.
Research Sponsorship and Collaboration Requirements
An important component of the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program is the relationship between visiting researchers and their proposed research sponsors.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential CIRES Visiting Fellow sponsors well before submitting their applications.
Successful proposals are generally developed collaboratively with a prospective host researcher. Applications without support from a current CIRES Fellow or CIRES Senior Research Scientist are unlikely to be successful.
Establishing these research connections early allows applicants to develop scientifically relevant proposals that align with the institute’s priorities and ongoing research activities.
Application Review and Selection Process
Applications are assessed by a committee comprising CIRES Fellows.
The selection process considers several important criteria:
- Quality and significance of the applicant’s previous research.
- Potential contribution to environmental science.
- Research publications, academic awards, fellowships, and other professional achievements.
- Potential to establish innovative research partnerships that benefit scientific understanding, CIRES, or NOAA.
- Demonstrated support from the proposed CIRES Fellow or Senior Research Scientist sponsors.
Applicants are therefore encouraged to present strong research proposals and demonstrate how their expertise can contribute to the institute’s scientific objectives.
Additional Fellowship Conditions
Successful candidates should take note of the following programme requirements:
- Fellows must begin their appointments within 10 months of accepting the offer. Deferrals are not permitted.
- Visiting Fellows must present their research in person at the CIRES Rendezvous science symposium in May or arrange a seminar for the wider CIRES research community before completing their fellowship.
- Research materials and equipment purchased using grant funding must remain at CIRES after the award concludes.
- Google Chrome is the preferred browser for completing the online application.
- Applicants requiring non-immigrant visa sponsorship should contact CIRES International Employee Specialist Janet Garcia at janet.garcia@colorado.edu.
How to Apply for the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program 2027
Applications for the 2026–2027 award cycle opened on 19 October 2026 and close on 21 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
Interested researchers should begin preparing their applications early to allow sufficient time for securing research sponsorship, developing proposals, and obtaining recommendation letters.
The online application system allows candidates to save their progress and return later to complete their submissions. Applicants should also ensure that their referees receive sufficient notice to submit recommendation letters before the closing date.
Why Consider the CIRES Visiting Fellows Program?
The CIRES Visiting Fellows Program offers an excellent opportunity for qualified scientists to strengthen their research careers through international collaboration, interdisciplinary scientific engagement, and access to a leading environmental research community.
With competitive postdoctoral compensation, dedicated research funding, and opportunities to collaborate with CIRES and NOAA scientists, the programme supports researchers seeking to advance knowledge in environmental sciences.
Eligible postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists interested in environmental research are encouraged to explore the programme requirements, identify potential sponsors, and prepare their applications before the December 2026 deadline.
