CIRES will open applications for its 2026–27 Visiting Fellows Program on 19 October 2026. Postdoctoral Visiting Fellows receive two-year appointments, a first-year salary of US$70,000, up to US$8,000 in research support, and a modest relocation stipend.
CIRES Visiting Fellows Program 2026–27
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder offers Visiting Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists working across environmental and Earth-system sciences.
The programme is funded primarily through the CIRES Cooperative Agreement with NOAA and is designed to support independent, collaborative research with a CIRES sponsor.
Who Should Apply?
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships are intended for researchers holding a PhD or equivalent who want to pursue a project aligned with CIRES environmental-science research.
Strong proposals should demonstrate:
- a clear and original research question;
- strong alignment with a CIRES research area;
- a realistic work plan for a two-year postdoctoral project; and
- clear intellectual fit with a proposed CIRES sponsor.
CIRES encourages applications from members of groups under-represented in environmental sciences and related disciplines.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Support
| Appointment | Two years |
|---|---|
| First-year salary | US$70,000 |
| Second-year salary | Adjusted in line with applicable campus compensation increases |
| Research budget | Up to US$8,000 |
| Relocation | Modest individual relocation stipend |
| Equipment | Laptop provided separately from research budget |
Find a CIRES Sponsor Early
CIRES strongly recommends contacting potential Visiting Fellow sponsors well before submitting an application.
Competitive proposals are normally developed collaboratively with a current CIRES Fellow or CIRES Senior Research Scientist. CIRES explicitly notes that an application without sponsor support is unlikely to succeed.
How to Prepare
- Review CIRES research areas and identify potential sponsors.
- Contact suitable CIRES researchers with a concise introduction and research concept.
- Develop the fellowship project jointly with the proposed sponsor.
- Prepare the research proposal, CV and required supporting materials.
- Attend the CIRES information session if useful; the current cycle lists an information session for 2 November 2026.
- Submit through the official application link after it is posted on the CIRES Visiting Fellows page.
- Complete submission by 21 December 2026.
CIRES Postdoctoral Fellowship: Eligibility, Sponsor and Application Questions
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. CIRES accepts international applicants and indicates that Human Resources can assist successful candidates with the necessary visa process.
How many years after the PhD can I apply?
Postdoctoral applicants should normally be no more than four years past PhD completion at the application deadline. CIRES may consider exceptions for caretaking responsibilities or other exceptional circumstances.
Can a final-year PhD student apply?
Yes. A candidate who expects to complete the PhD before the fellowship begins may apply, but the doctorate must be completed before the official postdoctoral appointment starts.
Are current or former CU Boulder graduate students eligible?
No. Current and former CU Boulder graduate students and postdocs are not eligible for the postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship. Current or former CIRES Visiting Fellows are also excluded.
Do I need a CIRES sponsor before applying?
A strong application should have support from at least one CIRES Fellow or Senior Research Scientist. CIRES explicitly advises applicants to contact potential sponsors well in advance; proposals without sponsor support are unlikely to succeed.
How many CIRES sponsors can I identify?
Applicants may identify up to three CIRES Fellows or Senior Research Scientists as potential sponsors.
What documents are required?
The current postdoctoral application requires a two-page NSF-format CV, transcripts, a one- to two-page cover letter, a research proposal of no more than three pages including figures, and contact details for three recommendation writers.
Do transcripts have to be official?
No. CIRES states that unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application; they are used to verify that the candidate will receive a PhD from an accredited programme.
When are recommendation letters due?
CIRES currently allows recommendation letters to arrive up to one week after the application deadline, but all three letters must be received for the application to be complete.
Can the fellowship be deferred?
No. CIRES states that Visiting Fellowships must begin within the permitted start window after the offer and are not deferrable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the CIRES Visiting Fellows application open?
The 2026–27 application period opens on 19 October 2026.
What is the deadline?
The current cycle closes on 21 December 2026.
How much does the postdoctoral fellowship pay?
The first-year salary is US$70,000, with second-year adjustment according to applicable campus compensation increases.
Do I need a CIRES sponsor?
CIRES strongly recommends developing the proposal with a current CIRES Fellow or Senior Research Scientist and states that applications without sponsor support are unlikely to succeed.
Official Source
| Status | Upcoming |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 19 October 2026 |
| Deadline | 21 December 2026 |
| Last verified | 20 September 2026 |
