Deadline: January 2, 2026

Applications are open for the CIRES Sabbatical Fellowship Program 2026. The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder sponsors a prestigious Visiting Fellows program, inviting scientists to join the thriving community of researchers in Boulder, Colorado. CIRES Visiting Fellowships are intended to stimulate interdisciplinary research across the institute through engagement with CIRES researchers on campus and in Boulder’s NOAA Laboratories.

Sponsored by CIRES Fellows, Visiting Fellows work with CIRES researchers on a wide range of environmental science topics. The CIRES Visiting Fellows Program has attracted more than 350 scientists from around the world over the past 50 years; many have gone on to lasting careers in CIRES and NOAA. They encourage applications from members of groups under-represented in the environmental sciences and related disciplines. This program is funded primarily through the CIRES Cooperative Agreement with NOAA.


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Benefits

  • Sabbatical Fellowships for senior scientists are available for between 3 and 12 months. Modest requests to reimburse lodging expenses up to $2,500/month and a budget for research-related travel, materials and supplies up to $8,000 may be included in the award. 
  • A laptop will be provided, which is separate from the $8,000 research budget.
  • Sabbatical Fellows can use some of their research travel budget to be reimbursed for travel expenses to Boulder and return home once the fellowship is complete.

Eligibility

  • Applicant must have appointment at an academic or research institution.
  • Individuals who have been University of Colorado Boulder graduate students, postdocs, researchers, research affiliates, sabbatical visitors, or faculty within 10 years of the application due date are not eligible.
  • Applicants are expected to be mid to senior career.
  • Priority will be given to candidates affiliated with institutions outside the greater Boulder scientific community.
  • Applicants must be in residence at CIRES (or be conducting related field research) for a minimum of 3 months. Vacation time and conference attendance do not count toward the 3-month minimum.

Application

Candidates are required to submit the following materials:

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  • CV (2 Page NSF Template)
  • Identification of at least one (and up to 3) CIRES Fellow/Senior Research Scientist sponsor(s).
  • Cover Letter (max 2 pages, 12 pt font)
    • The cover letter should include the following information:
      • Expected start date, the name(s) of the sponsoring CIRES Fellow(s) and other CIRES, NOAA, and University of Colorado researchers with whom you intend to work, and a description of the nature of the collaboration with each scientist.
      • Justification of how you would be a strong addition to the CIRES scientific community. Be sure to align your answers to the CIRES Strategic Plan.
      • Short description about how this sabbatical visit will create or enhance lasting relationships and collaborations between yourself and CIRES Faculty, Scientists and Students. If relevant, please comment on any potential research activities and funding opportunities that may result from the sabbatical visit. Also if relevant, please comment on your potential collaborations and mentorship of students during your visit.
  • Research proposal (3 pages max including figures, 12 pt font. Figure captions can be 10 pt font. References not included in 3 page limit.)
    • Proposals should outline your motivation for the work, its novelty and potential contribution to the field, the research question, the methods to be pursued, and the expected outcomes. Higher priority will be given to those who indicate an appropriate timeline for achieving these outcomes.
    • Proposals should also include the scientific rationale for doing the work in CIRES, such as linkages with the research of the CIRES Fellow/Senior Research Scientist supporting your proposal.
    • Remember that the proposals will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary scientific team and should therefore be written for a broad scientific audience. Feel free to contact Becca Edwards if you would like clarification on this request.

Click here to apply


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For more information, visit CIRES Sabbatical Fellowship.

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