Deadline: January 2, 2026
Applications are now open for the CIRES Sabbatical Fellowship Program 2026, a prestigious research opportunity hosted by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder, USA. The fellowship is designed to support mid- to senior-career scientists who wish to engage in collaborative, interdisciplinary environmental research in residence at CIRES and associated NOAA laboratories. The programme offers financial support, research collaboration, academic integration, and resources for scientists seeking a fully immersive sabbatical research experience.
About the Opportunity
The CIRES Sabbatical Fellowship Program 2026 provides selected fellows with the opportunity to spend between 3 and 12 months in residence at CIRES or conducting related field research. CIRES is a world-leading environmental research institute that promotes studies in atmospheric, oceanic, climate, geophysical and earth sciences. The programme is open to international applicants and encourages research partnerships that align with CIRES’ strategic priorities and research vision.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CIRES Sabbatical Fellowship Program 2026, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must hold an active appointment at an academic or research institution.
- Open to mid- to senior-career scientists; not limited to early-career researchers.
- Applicants must not have been a graduate student, post-doc, researcher, research affiliate, sabbatical visitor or faculty member at the University of Colorado Boulder within the past 10 years.
- Priority is given to applicants from institutions outside the Boulder scientific community.
- Fellows must commit to a minimum 3-month in-residence stay at CIRES. Vacation periods or conference travel will not count toward residency.
Fellowship Benefits and Support
Selected fellows will receive the following financial and institutional support:
- Reimbursement of lodging expenses up to USD $2,500 per month.
- Research budget of up to USD $8,000 to support travel, research materials and supplies.
- A laptop computer will be provided separately from the research budget.
- Travel funds may be used for a round-trip from the fellow’s home institution to Boulder at the start and end of the fellowship.
- Full access to CIRES research infrastructure, scientific networks and collaborative laboratories.
Required Application Documents
Applicants are required to submit the following materials:
- Curriculum Vitae – maximum 2 pages, formatted according to the National Science Foundation template.
- Identification of CIRES Sponsor(s) – at least one and up to three CIRES Fellows or Senior Research Scientists who agree to serve as research sponsors.
- Cover Letter – maximum 2 pages, 12-point font, including:
- Proposed start date and duration of stay
- Names of sponsoring CIRES researchers and planned collaboration
- How the applicant will contribute to CIRES’ research community
- How the sabbatical will establish long-term partnerships or mentorships
- Research Proposal – maximum 3 pages including figures (captions may be 10-point font; references not included in page limit), outlining:
- Research motivation, contribution and novelty
- Methods, expected outcomes and timeline
- Rationale for work being conducted at CIRES
- Clear relevance to the sponsor’s research area
- Written for an interdisciplinary scientific review committee
Important Dates and Timeline
- Application Deadline: 2 January 2026 (11:59 PM MST)
- Notification of Results: Spring 2026
- Fellowship Start: Must begin within 10 months of award; deferral is not permitted
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the full application package and submit through the official online portal. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential CIRES sponsors early before submitting the application.
Selection Notes
- Proposals are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee.
- Applications that lack sponsor support or clear alignment with CIRES research themes are unlikely to be selected.
- Strong proposals demonstrate long-term impact, collaborative potential, and clear contribution to CIRES’ scientific mission.
Conclusion
The CIRES Sabbatical Fellowship Program 2026 is a highly competitive and well-funded opportunity for environmental scientists seeking meaningful research collaboration, professional growth and academic impact. With world-class research resources, interdisciplinary expertise and dedicated funding, this fellowship offers a platform for developing innovative scientific work while building lasting research networks.
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