NSF SOARS

NSF SOARS had a great time at the AMS Annual Meeting!
Proteges shared their summer research through presentations and posters, connecting with scientists and professionals from the atmospheric sciences and beyond. Seeing proteges communicate their work and engage with the broader research community is always a highlight!
Visit our website for more information about the NSF SOARS program https://soars.ucar.edu/

❕Final Reminder❕ The NSF SOARS application for 2026 closes Tuesday, January 20th, there is one week left to apply! Have last minute questions about applying? Check out our "How to Apply" Webinar or website for more information!
Application: soars.ucar.edu/apply
Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wzlAOy20Sg

Did you catch NSF SOARS at AGU? Last month proteges presented their summer research projects, sharing their work with scientists and professionals from across the geoscience community. It was great to see our proteges showcase their hard work and grow their professional networks!
Interested in being a part NSF SOARS? Applications for the 2026 program are currently open and close January 20, 2026. Visit our website to learn more about the program and application process! https://soars.ucar.edu/

Applications are open and don’t forget about the upcoming webinar on November 13 at 2:00 pm MT to learn more about the application process.

Register here: https://ucar-edu.zoom.us/j/87431284680?pwd=HuwmfYYeQb5XBirAbH0pMrCOhLYQrQ.1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeuqitTIy-9nh9WFeDWvA5BOOdHwV-PEM65FST4cYO2Z7cGo5y_YXKIxmoAaw_aem_Ot5Xlr7IoO75IstSWg4ndw

2026 NSF SOARS® First-Year Protege Job Description Summary: UCAR is excited to announce the application opening of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) program. NSF SOARS is an undergraduate-to-graduate bridge and career pathways program designed to promote a...

We’re excited to announce that the NSF SOARS First-Year Protege Applications are now open through January 20, 2026!

To apply go to soars.ucar.edu/apply

Program Benefits:
💫Multi-Dimensional Mentoring
💫Multiple-Year Support
💫11-Week Paid Research Experience
💫Housing and Transportation
💫Conference Support
💫Tuition Assistance

Eligibility:
✅Enrolled in a Degree Granting Institution
✅Must Not Have Received a Bachelor’s Degree
✅Must Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident

Want to learn more? Register for our How to Apply to NSF SOARS Webinar on our website (soars.ucar.edu/apply).

Help us spread the word, share this post with anyone who may be interested!

And just like that NSF SOARS 2025 program has come to an end and it's time for the final recap of this year!

Week 10 &11 Themes: Connection and Celebration!

Week 10 saw Proteges wrapping up any final pieces of their research and preparing for the exciting events next week. Proteges also joined alumni for an informal networking lunch with NSF NCAR & UCAR staff. The week wrapped up with an End-of-Summer Cookout which was a great opportunity to relax and connect with the cohort before diving into Week 11!

The final week of the program kicked off with the NSF SOARS Research Colloquium where Proteges delivered oral presentations showcasing their summer research. Later on in the week, the cohort participated in some reflection activities, giving them space to look back on the summer journey and revisit their Week 1 vision boards. Finally, the program culminated with the NSF NCAR, UCAR, UCP Summer Student Conference where Proteges and other NSF NCAR summer research program participants shared their work with the community!

Congratulations 2025 Proteges, we can't wait to see where your journeys take you!

Is it time for the second to last recap already?!
Welcome to Weeks 8 & 9 of NSF SOARS 2025!
As we enter the home stretch of the program, Proteges have been sharpening their skills, building professional connections, and preparing for the final phases of their research journey.

Week 8 & 9 Themes: Proposals, Poster Progress, and Conference Confidence!

Week 8 wrapped up midpoint check-ins, offering Proteges the chance to reflect on their progress, revisit goals, and connect one-on-one with program coordinators. Workshops also continued with the Scientific Communication & Writing (SCW) and Computation & Data Science (CDS) series. This week, SCW for First-Year Proteges took a deep dive into research paper structure and learned key tips for formatting effective scientific posters. SCW for returning Proteges explored how to prepare for professional conferences, covering everything from packing strategies and setting goals to making the most of networking opportunities. Dr. Eure, an NSF SOARS alum, joined to share his valuable firsthand advice on navigating national and international conferences!

Proteges also participated in a Professional Development Seminar on Proposal Writing, co-hosted with NSF NCAR & UCAR PDWS. The week ended on a delicious note with a cohort-wide potluck, giving everyone the chance to connect and celebrate together!

Week 9 was a major milestone as Proteges finalized their poster titles, officially kicking off the transition into the final stages of their summer research! This week also featured the second NSF SOARS Alumni Career Panel, where the panel shared insights into their current careers and reflected on how the program helped shape their professional paths. Proteges also joined a PDWS session on Leveraging Your Internship During the Job Search, gaining strategies for turning their summer experience into future opportunities!

We’re heading into the final weeks of NSF SOARS 2025 with strong momentum, stay tuned for the final recap as the Proteges finish out their summer research program prepare to share their projects at the Annual NSF NCAR, UCAR, UCP Summer Student Conference!

We've officially passed the midpoint of our 2025 program, can you believe how quickly these weeks are passing by? So what have our Proteges been up been up to?

Week 6 & 7 Themes: Practice Makes Perfect, Next Steps, and Community Connection!

Week 6 Proteges attended the Practice Talks where they gained experience presenting and communicating their research, specifically their introductions, research questions, methods, and preliminary results/future directions. They did a fantastic job sharing their progress with peers and mentors!

Proteges also had the incredible opportunity to meet with the NSF NCAR Director where they learned about his career path, leadership philosophy, and the role of NSF NCAR within the broader scientific community. The week wrapped up with a celebratory Shaved Ice Social to mark the midpoint for all our summer programs, what a sweet way to end the week!

Week 7 was short but productive! Proteges returned to their Scientific Communication & Writing (SCW) and Computation & Data Science (CDS) workshops, with this week's SCW workshop shifting to focus on graduate fellowships and featuring an NSF SOARS alumni sharing her experience. This week also kicked off midpoint check-ins with program coordinators. These meetings, which will continue into Week 8, are to continue progress on Proteges' Individual Development Plans from Week 1.

The Proteges have made such great progress on their research so far, and we can't wait to see what they can accomplish in the second half of the summer!

Another two weeks have flown by for our NSF SOARS 2025 Proteges!
Our cohort has been busy diving into skill development and exploring their future academic paths. Here's what they've been up to:

Week 4 & 5 Themes: Advanced Skills, Career Exploration, Future Pathways!

Week 4 continued building essential research foundations as Proteges participated in their ongoing Scientific Communication and Writing workshop and their Computation and Data Science workshop.

Week 5 brought exciting opportunities to explore future career paths, starting with an NSF SOARS Alumni Career Panel! Proteges heard directly from program graduates about their career journeys and the different paths available in atmospheric science. It's always inspiring to see where NSF SOARS can lead! The week also featured a Professional Development Workshop focused on Convergence Science & Storytelling, where Proteges explored how to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts as well as interdisciplinary approaches to research.

Week 5 wrapped up with an incredible field trip to Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins! Proteges got an inside look at graduate school through conversations with faculty and admission staff, a panel with current MS and PhD students (including NSF SOARS alumni!), and tours of the atmospheric science department facilities.

The momentum is building as we head into the heart of summer research season, see you for the next recap!

Is it Week 4 of NSF SOARS 2025 already? 👀
After a busy first week of the program what have our proteges been up to the last two weeks?
Week 2 & 3 Themes: Professional Development, Networking, Science in Action!

In Week 2, the proteges started laying the groundwork for their growth during the program by continuing their Individual Development Plans. There was also an exciting opportunity to have lunch with an alumni from the program.

Proteges had their first field trip to see science in action! At the end of week 2, we visited the NSF NCAR Wyoming Supercomputing Center to learn about one of the most powerful computing systems in the world used for atmospheric research! The center is maintained and staffed by the NSF NCAR & UCAR Computational & Information Systems Lab (CISL) as part of CISL's mission to support and advance the geosciences with world-class computing, data management, and research in computational science.

Week 3 was focused on research and professional development (PD) with opportunities to attend some fun networking events at UCAR and PD workshops kicking off! Proteges had workshop #1 of Scientific Communication and Writing, as well as Computation and Data Science. These weekly workshops are designed to strengthen the protege's scientific identity and confidence along with their scientific research skills.

We are excited for a summer of discovery, learning, and growth!

Keep an eye out for the next program recap!

❕Final Reminder❕ The NSF SOARS application for 2025 closes Tuesday, January 21st! There are three days left to apply, click here to learn more! https://soars.ucar.edu

Did you miss us at AGU last month? Good news! NSF SOARS will also be at the @ametsoc student conference and annual meeting January 11-16! To visit proteges or alumni presentations, check the schedule in our bio! Or stop by the career fair or @ncar_ucar booth on January 14 from 10am-12pm CT to say hi or ask any questions. We hope to see you there!