How to apply

Preparing to apply | References | Submitting

Review this page thoroughly before applying, and follow instructions carefully as you prepare your application. Reach out to your references early in the process to give them ample time to respond, as noted in more detail below.

For Summer 2024, we are planning for an in-person/hybrid internship program where interns come on-site to our Boulder, Colorado campuses, and on occasion meetings may be held virtually over Zoom or Google Meet.

Preparing to apply

  • Review Eligibility & Benefits to confirm that you are eligible.
  • Read through 2024 Technical Projects or CODE Intern to find one or two opportunities that match your interests.
  • Get an unofficial transcript or transcripts from your college or university. Graduate students should include both their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. You can likely download these free from your school's student portal. 
  • Update your resume/CV. When you upload the file, the system will scan it and autofill the information about prior jobs. You must have at least one prior job but do not need to list all of them.
  • Identify two (2) people who can serve as references and who can write a letter of reference (see below for more details)
  • Write a one-page personal statement that clearly addresses each of the following topics. (Use 1-inch margins and a font no smaller than 11 points.) If you are applying for more than one opportunity, write a separate personal statement for each.
    • NCAR and SIParCS embrace a work environment that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable. SIParCS is dedicated to enhancing the diversity of future high performance computing and scientific communities and sharing our science with a broader audience. Describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences (including social, cultural, familial, educational, leadership or future plans, or other opportunities or challenges) will contribute to this community during and after participation in SIParCS.
    • Why you are interested in your chosen project (this response should be unique to each project you are applying to)
    • Your technical interests and skills that are not covered in your resume, CV, or transcript.
    • How this program addresses your educational and career goals.
    • What you expect to gain from participating in this program.

Identifying and contacting references

Reach out to two (2) people who can speak to your academic work and/or work ethic and ask if they are willing to write you a letter of reference. Academics-related references are preferred. Here is some guidance to review before you reach out.

As soon as you have identified two willing references, have their name and email contact information ready for submission in your application. Your references will receive an email from a “ucar.edu” email address with directions for how to submit a letter of reference.

Follow up

  • Follow up with your references to see if they received our email. Ask them to check their spam folder if they haven’t seen the email.
  • Follow-up again to see if your references submitted letters. The deadline for them to do so is 4 p.m. MST on January 31, 2024.

Information for References

Please use this Google form to upload your reference letter no later than January 31, 2024 at 5:00pm MT. You'll need to log in with a Google account to access the form; if you have trouble accessing the form, please contact siparcs@ucar.edu. Recommendation letters should be submitted as a .pdf file, and the name of the file should be formatted as such:

"StudentLastName_YourLastName_Reference.pdf"

The letter of recommendation should address the following:

- The applicant's potential strengths in a collaborative research environment, and examples of times you have seen the candidate demonstrate those strengths

- The quality of the applicant's academic or creative achievements, including material not apparent on official transcripts

- The applicant's scholarly or creative potential and promise for advanced and original work

- Those aspects of the applicant's personality and character significant to overall preparation and aptitude for this program and/or graduate study

Thank you in advance for supporting students in their professional and academic goals, and please reach out to siparcs@ucar.edu if you have any questions.

Submitting your application

Combine your personal statement, resume/CV, and transcript(s) into a single PDF document for each project of interest.

Name the PDF using this format: LastName_FirstName_ProjectNumber

Examples: Hopper_Grace_Project5.pdf (or Hopper_Grace_CODE.pdf if applying to the CODE position.)

Select the appropriate online application form below to submit your application. If you are applying for two projects, have the application materials ready for both of them. You will be able to submit them at the same time. NOTE: The deadline for Summer 2024 Applications has passed.

  • Undergraduate Application
  • Graduate Application
  • CISL Outreach, Diversity, Education Intern Application

Desired salary: The hourly compensation for these internship positions has not been determined. Because it is not open to negotiation, you can respond "N/A" to the question about this on the application form.