The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research & Operations (CIWRO) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) is a research organization that promotes collaborative research between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and OU scientists and students. CIWRO seeks to improve the basic understanding of weather and to transition that understanding to operational products that can be used to provide better forecasts and warnings so as to save lives and property and mitigate economic impacts of severe and high impact weather. Research in CIWRO falls under five themes:

Weather Radar and Observations

Mesoscale and Storm-Scale Modeling

Forecast Applications Improvements

Subseasonal to Seasonal (S2S) Prediction for Extreme Weather Events

Social and Socioeconomic Impacts of High-Impact Weather Systems

The goal of the Summer Graduate Student Research Colloquium is to provide opportunities to emerging scholars pursuing advanced degrees who wish to learn more about atmospheric science and how it might relate to or enhance their chosen fields of study.

Students will spend a week immersed in cutting-edge weather research at the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus. Participants will explore what it's like to have a career in meteorology or adjacent fields and be exposed to strategic skills useful to any profession that works with science. Learning objectives include learning about weather research, learning to give presentations to diverse audiences, and working with experienced mentors on a guided research project.

We value diversity and hope to bring together students of underrepresented communities with an interest in severe weather. A background in atmospheric science is not necessary to benefit from this unique experience. The weeklong colloquium will be held June 3-7, 2024. CIWRO will assume all costs associated with the program.

Program Benefits

• Travel to the program from anywhere in the United States
• Housing accommodations at the University of Oklahoma residence halls
• Meals or meal allowance
• Afterhours excursions to experience beautiful Norman, Oklahoma
• One-of-a-kind opportunity to study with the top severe-weather scientists in the country

Eligibility Criteria

• Graduating senior or graduate student of an accredited college/university
• U.S. citizen, permanent resident or DACA recipient
• Interest in a field of study that aligns with the CIWRO mission (possible areas of study include but are not limited to meteorology, electrical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, data science, communication, psychology, geography, political science)
• CIWRO celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion, and encourages members of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups to apply

Application Process

• One-page personal statement describing interest in workshop
• Copy of resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Official transcript
• One reference letter sent directly to OU CIWRO
• Application deadline is Feb. 15, 2024