2026 SIParCS Undergraduate Student Internships

Application Deadline:

• This position will be posted until 11:59 pm MT on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Required application materials: (preferably in PDF Format)

Application Instructions:

Before you begin the online application process, please prepare your application materials in one (1) PDF document. Name the PDF "LastName_FirstName_siparcs" Example: Hopper_Grace_siparcs.pdf Application materials must be in the order numbered below. Please apply to no more than two (2) SIParCS projects.

Application Materials Must Include:

Attach one (1) PDF document with the three required components to your online application. Name the PDF "LastName_FirstName_siparcs" Example: Hopper_Grace_siparcs.pdf Required materials, in order are:

#1. Write a personal statement that is no longer than two (2) pages that clearly addresses each of the following 7 questions. (Use 1-inch margins, a font no smaller than 11 points). The personal statement questions carry considerable weight for the application, please be thoughtful with your responses and answer all 7 questions. Please visit https://www.cisl.ucar.edu/outreach/internships/how_to_apply for detailed instructions.

NSF NCAR and SIParCS embrace a collaborative, supportive, and positive work environment. SIParCS is dedicated to developing the technical and professional skills of the future high performance computing and scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience.

• 1. Describe a situation when you helped build or sustain a collaborative, positive, supportive community. What strategies or lessons did you use to collaborate, lead, or solve problems? The situation does not have to be related to science, research, or education. If you haven't had this experience, explain what you believe makes a positive and supportive community and how you would contribute to one in the future, including any strategies you'd use to collaborate, lead, and problem-solve.
• 2. How could your approach to community and leadership enhance the experience for your fellow interns and strengthen the SIParCS program as a whole?
• 3. How does participating in SIParCS complement your current interests and future career goals?

Mentorship: SIParCS interns work with their mentors on a specified project and are responsible for communicating with their mentoring team, organizing meetings, asking for help, etc.

• 4. Describe an experience where you took initiative, guided and supported peers, and/or collaborated to achieve goals. Please include how you will apply these skills to work with your mentoring team.
• 5. What do you hope to gain from receiving mentorship as part of the SIParCS program?

Students may apply to up to two (2) SIParCS projects.

• 6a. Identify the project and why you are interested in this chosen project.
• 6b. If you're applying to a second project, identify the project and why you are interested in this chosen project. Clearly address your distinct interest for each project.

• 7. Share your non-technical interests, collaborations, and skills that are not covered in your resume, CV, or transcript.

#2 CV or resume

#3 Copy of most recent unofficial undergraduate transcript.

Instructions for the Online Application Process:

(1) To begin the application process, at the bottom of this page click "New Resume/CV." The next page presents options for you to submit your materials. Select "Upload a resume/CV document" then select "Continue."

(2) You will then be prompted to submit your resume or CV. At this point, upload your complete application as one (1) PDF document. Click "Choose File" to find your file on your computer. Click on the document, select "Open," and then select "Continue."

(3) Continue the application process as prompted. Step 4 of the online application process will ask you if you want to upload additional documentation-ignore this step. Complete the rest of the online application information.

References:

For the 2026 application cycle, SIParCS no longer requires a letter of reference or reference contact information as part of the application.

Questions:

If you have questions or limitations to using the online application system, please contact Alexa Brown at alexab@ucar.edu or hiring@ucar.edu.

More information on the SIParCS program may be found at http://www2.cisl.ucar.edu/siparcs. If you have questions regarding the SIParCS program, please contact siparcs@ucar.edu .

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

As a SIParCS intern, you will:

• Conduct original research under the guidance of your science mentor;
• Give a presentation based on your research;
• Participate professionally in all SIParCS activities.

Project Descriptions by Title (Detailed project descriptions can be found here: http://www2.cisl.ucar.edu/siparcs)

Project 1: Natural Language Discovery of NSF NCAR Scientific Data

Project 2: AI Weather and Atmospheric Chemistry Prediction with Physical Constraints

Project 3: FastOSSE: A new tool for optimizing ocean observing networks

Project 4: Data Pathfinders: A GDEX UX/UI Intern Quest

Project 5: Learning to Fight Wildfires: Reinforcement Learning for Fire Suppression in a Forest Fire Model

Project 6: AI Nowcasting Models for Predicting the Evolution of Convective Storms

Project 7: CIRRUS - Developing Workflows for Validating Cloud Native Deployments

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience:

• Must currently be enrolled in a United States university.

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. to be eligible for the SIParCS program.

  • For F visa students accepted to the SIParCS program, CPT work authorization issued through a U.S. Designated School Official (DSO) or OPT issued through both a DSO and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be required.

• Must be an undergraduate who has completed their freshman year.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work with a broad group of peers.

• Skill in the use of software for communication purposes (e.g.Word, Excel, PowerPoint,email).

• 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.

• Basic knowledge, through coursework, of mathematics, computer science or engineering.

• Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer program.

• Ability to interact with mentors and peers in a manner that supports collaboration andinquiry.

• Ability and willingness to work within guidelines and policies of organization and assignedwork groups