Contact details Questions

Question Explanation or Justification

• Preferred First name
• Last name(s)
• Legal name if different from preferred
• School email address
• Personal email address

Standard contact information so we can get in touch with you regarding your application. 

If your application is successful, this information will be used to communicate with you during and after your time in the Fellowship.

Academic Status Questions

Question Explanation or Justification

• Current College or University
• Which degree will you be pursuing as of this fall?
  • Masters
  • PhD
  • Other (please specify)

This information is used to determine your eligibility for the program. 

• What graduate program are you currently enrolled in? 

If you are not enrolled in a program, please list your department and area of research focus

• This two year fellowship enrollment as a graduate student between Fall 2024 and Spring 2026. Do you anticipate being enrolled as a graduate student between Fall 2024, and Spring 2026?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Other (please specify)
• When do you plan to graduate from your current program?

If you answer “No” to being enrolled as a graduate student from 2024 to 2026, you will be deemed ineligible for this program. If you cannot answer a straightforward “Yes”, please select “Other” and provide a detailed explanation why you should be considered eligible. 

• Are you currently a full time or part time student?
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Other (please specify)
• Please list any previous higher education degrees you have received, including the year you received them and the school from which you graduated.
  • e.g. Associates in Engineering, 2015, Foothills Community College
• Have you participated in any NSF NCAR or UCAR programs in the past? If so, please provide the name of the program and year of participation.
  • e.g. SOARS protégé 2018-2020; GVP 2022
• Anything you'd like to add about your academic standing?

Questions on your academic experience are not used for eligibility, but are used to gather an understanding of your educational journey. 

Track Choice Questions

Question Explanation or Justification

The Next Generation Fellowship program recruits graduate students into one of three tracks. Applications for each track is reviewed by experts from that field so, applying for more than one track requires a complete, independent application for

each. Do not assume that answers from one track application will be seen by those reviewing another track application submitted by you. You can use the same responses for multiple questions, though it is advisable to tailor your responses to

the appropriate track when necessary.

• Please discuss what it means to you to be a "Next Generation" student. Consider your journey to graduate school and your accomplishments along the way.
  • Please keep your answer to less than 250 words.

The concept of a “Next Generation” student is intentionally open ended. It may represent the hurdles of overcoming adversity, or perhaps what it means to be a First Generation scholar. It may also reflect your forward-looking motivation to create positive changes in the field of Earth System Science. This question is asking you to dig deep and reflect on your position in the field of Earth System Science. 

It may also be valuable to revisit or refer to the goals of the program listed on the homepage. 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 250 words.

• Discuss the importance of scientific research, and its intersection with public policy and/or diversity and inclusion efforts in the field of Earth Science.
  • Please keep your answer to less than 250 words.

A unique feature of the Next Generation Fellowship is that it offers the opportunity to explore the field of Earth System Science through three different lenses - science research, DEI, and science policy. Please use this question to share your opinion on how these three segments complement each other to the benefit of Earth System Science as a field. 

You do not need to discuss all three. 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 250 words. 

• Which fellowship track are you applying for?
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Science Policy
  • Earth System Science Research

Each track is reviewed by experts from that track. Therefore, applying for more than one track requires an independent application for each track. Do not assume that answers from one track application will be seen by those reviewing another track application submitted by you. You can use the same responses for multiple questions, though it is advisable to tailor your responses to the appropriate track when necessary. 

Earth System Science Track Questions

Question Explanation or Justification

• What are your current career goals? Discuss how exposure to public policy and diversity and inclusion topics during this Fellowship might influence your career in Earth System Science.
  • Please keep your answer to less than 250 words.

How might participating in the Next Generation Fellowship impact your career opportunities? Consider the specific goals of the Next Gen Fellowship to explore the intersection between research, policy, and DEI.

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 250 words. 

• Describe how you envision using your time in the Next Gen program and what outcomes you hope to achieve. Please outline what UCAR and/or NSF NCAR scientific resources (including people, training opportunities, areas of expertise, tools etc.) you would benefit from access to during your time in the Fellowship. Please be as specific and detailed as possible. 
  • Please keep your answer to less than 500 words.

Consider this a short proposal for the type of work you would like to pursue during this fellowship. It is important that you are specific in your plans, and go beyond generalizations such as “learn from experts”. What will you learn and from which experts? What about UCAR’s resources will specifically benefit you. This is your opportunity to set yourself apart from your competitors. 

Please consider the following resources when developing your answer: 

• https://ncar.ucar.edu/
• https://ncar.ucar.edu/who-we-are/labs 
• https://www.ucar.edu/ucp 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 500 words. 

• If selected, is there a particular scientist or group you would like to work with at NSF NCAR or UCP? 
  • Please include names and emails and/or research groups you are interested in collaborating with. 

NSF NCAR and UCP have hundreds of scientists and research groups that might be of interest to you. It is important that you do your due diligence to identify where in the UCAR, NSF NCAR, UCP ecosystem your research interests lie. 

While it is not required that you contact the research groups in advance of your application, it may be beneficial to do so as their availability to collaborate will have an impact on the success of your application. I.e. If you select a research group that does not have the capacity to collaborate with you, your application will then be deemed unsuccessful. Two alternatives to consider are a) communicating with potential collaborators at UCAR, NSF NCAR or UCP about their interest in collaborating or b) identify more than one potential collaborator in your application. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Track Questions

Question Explanation or Justification

• What are your current career goals? Discuss the relevance of your background in Earth System Sciences to these goals and your interest in Diversity and Inclusion.
  • Please keep your answer to less than 250 words.

How might participating in the Next Generation Fellowship impact your career direction? Please make sure to discuss how your experience in the scientific realm of Earth System Science impacts your interest in DEI, and how your experience in the research field might make you a good fit for the DEI track? 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 250 words. 

• Describe how you envision using your time in the Next Gen program and what outcomes you hope to achieve. Please outline what DEI resources (including people, training opportunities, and areas of expertise, tools etc.) you would benefit from during your time in the Fellowship. Please be as specific and detailed as possible. 
  • Please keep your answer to less than 500 words.

Consider this a short proposal for the type of work you would like to pursue during this fellowship. It is important that you are specific in your plans, and go beyond generalizations such as “learn from experts”. What will you learn and from which experts? What about UCAR’s resources will specifically benefit you. This is your opportunity to set yourself apart from your competitors. 

Please consider the following resources when developing your answer: 

• https://www.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/documents/related-links/2020-12/ODEI_StrategicPlan_Final.pdf 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 500 words. 

• Which, if any of the following areas of focus are you interested in exploring during your time in the Fellowship? Please check all that apply.
  • Curriculum Building and Facilitation Development
  • Workplace Culture
  • Workplace Development
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Employee Resource Group Support
  • None of the above
• Do you have other areas of focus you are interested in exploring? If so, please describe them

Although any aspect of DEI and the relevance to Earth System Science is an option for your Fellowship focus, exploring topics that UCAR mentors are experts in will provide you with the most effective fellowship experience. This list of focus areas encompasses many of the programs undertaken by the DEI office at UCAR. Even if your topical interest is different from those of ODEI, the skills you may develop by exploring in one or more of these focus areas will be transferable. 

Public Policy Track Questions

Question Explanation or Justification

• What are your current career goals? Discuss the relevance of your background in Earth System Sciences to these goals and your interest in science policy.
  • Please keep your answer to less than 250 words.

How might participating in the Next Generation Fellowship impact your career direction? Please make sure to discuss how your experience in the scientific realm of Earth System Science impacts your interest in science policy, and how your experience in the research field might make you a good fit for the policy track? 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 250 words. 

• Describe how you envision using your time in the Next Gen program and what outcomes you hope to achieve. Please outline what public policy resources (including people, training opportunities, and areas of expertise, tools etc.) you would benefit from during your time in the Fellowship. Please be as specific and detailed as possible. 
  • Please keep your answer to less than 500 words.

Consider this a short proposal for the type of work you would like to pursue during this fellowship. It is important that you are specific in your plans, and go beyond generalizations such as “learn from experts”. What will you learn and from which experts? What about UCAR’s resources will specifically benefit you. This is your opportunity to set yourself apart from your competitors. 

Please consider the following resources when developing your answer: 

• https://www.ucar.edu/what-we-do/advocacy 

This question does not have a firm word limit, but please restrict your response to about 500 words. 

• You must hold US Citizenship to apply for this track. Are you a US Citizen?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Other

Answering “No” will disqualify you from applying from this track. If you are unable to respond “Yes” but have a justification, please select “other” and provide a detailed explanation for why you should be considered eligible. 

References

Question Explanation or Justification

• Please provide the names and emails of two references. You are not required to provide a letter of reference at the time of application. If your application progresses through the first round of review, we will contact your references directly.

Please provide the names and contact details of references who can speak to your interest in the specific track you are applying to. Your reference’s status is less important than their ability to speak to your interests and experiences in the track. It is appropriate to have academic and/or community members as your references. You should inform them of your interests in the track and what you hope to gain from the fellowship. 

Please choose your references thoughtfully. For example, a physics professor may not know why you are applying to the DEI track and therefore will be unlikely to discuss aspects of your experience or interest that will be relevant to a DEI application, but the organizer of a community group you volunteer with will be able to more readily discuss your interests and ability in this regard. 

If you are applying to more than one track, you may wish to have different references for each track. 

• Where did you hear about this Fellowship?
• If you heard about this program from a professional society, please tell us which one. We will use this information for outreach purposes in future years

It is important that we reach as wide an audience as possible, and in particular that we reach students who have traditionally been minoritized in STEM fields. By telling us where you heard about the program, we can filter resources more carefully to improve the program’s reach. 

Personal Information - Voluntary Disclosure

Question Explanation or Justification

The following data is for federal census purposes only and will not be used in any aspect of the selection process. Submission of this information is entirely voluntary. If you do not wish to submit information, please select "decline to answer".

Completing these questions is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answers are confidential and will not be shared with the recruitment committee. Your decision to complete these questions or not, and your answers will not harm your application in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp 

• Are you of Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Decline to answer
  • Self identify
• Regardless of your Ethnicity, please select all race(s) with which you identify
  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Asian
  • Black or African American
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
  • White
  • Two or more races
  • Decline to answer
  • Self identify
• How would you describe your gender?
  • Male
  • Female
  • Non-binary or gender queer
  • Decline to answer
  • Self identify

Your demographic information is not shared with the review committees. It is aggregated and used to analyze how effective our program outreach efforts are in reaching a diverse set of applicants. Although not required, it is very helpful for us to collect this information to make sure we’re being effective in our reach. 

Veteran Status

Please check one of the boxes below

• I identify as one or more of the classifications of protected veterans listed above
• I am not a protected veteran
• I decline to disclose my protected veteran status

UCAR is a Government contractor or subcontractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002, 38 U.S. C. 4212 (VEVRAA), which requires Government contractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment "protected veterans": (1) disabled veterans; (2) recently separated veterans; (3) active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans; and (4) Armed Forces service medal veterans. UCAR is subject to certain governmental record keeping and reporting requirements under VEVRAA. In order to comply with these requirements, we invite you to check the appropriate box below. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. The information you provide will be kept confidential and will only be used in ways that are consistent with VEVRAA. UCAR is committed to the goal of equal opportunity in employment. To further this goal, UCAR maintains an affirmative action program that includes policies and practices to assure non-discrimination and affirmative action for protected veterans.

Disability Status

Please check one of the boxes below

• Yes, I have a disability, or have had one in the past
• No, I do not have a disability and have not had one in the past
• Choose not to answer

UCAR is a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis,
• HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg braces and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Ready to submit? 

• Any additional information you would like to provide to the review committee?

You do not need to provide any additional information, but if there is anything that you have not been able to convey using the other questions that you would like to share, please use this space. 

Thank you for applying for the Next Generation Fellowship. Application review will begin in June. If your application progresses through the first round of review, we will contact your references directly in June/July. You do not need to send letters of reference or your resume as part of your application. Award notifications will be sent out via email in August. 

If you have questions about your application, please email nextgenfellows@ucar.edu.