Summer Institute

About the Summer Institute

The Summer Institute is a partnership between CUAHSI and NOAA that aims to engage the academic community in research to advance the mission of the National Water Center. Summer Institute participants work on projects related to water prediction and flood forecasting. Students work in small teams and are mentored by university faculty and other professionals. Student applications are accepted in the fall of each year.

Although there may be some overlap between a Summer Institute project and an individual student's academic research, Summer Institute projects generally are self-contained. The Summer Institute culminates in a capstone presentation and a final project report. Most project teams have published their work in a scientific journal after the completion of the program.

The 2022 Summer Institute explored projects related to the following themes:

• Coupling Inland and Coastal Hydraulics, supporting the goal of summit to sea water prediction.
• The NWC’s Next Generation Hydrologic Model Framework development and evaluation.
• Hydroinformatics, including machine learning, for water prediction and analysis.

We recognize the ongoing uncertainty brought on by COVID. The Summer Institute will follow all the latest CDC and Alabama guidance in its program planning. If the Summer Institute cannot be held in person, we do not expect to convert to a virtual format.

For more information contact Deanna McCay at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Learn More

• Watch the Next-Gen Framework and Summer Institute Program Overview with the National Water Center.
• Watch the 2021 NWC Innovators Program Summer Institute Informational Webinar.
• Learn more about the National Water model from Trey Flowers, Director of the Analysis and Prediction Division, NOAA/NWC/OWP.
• View the Technical Reports highlighting student projects from the previous Summer Institutes:
  • 2017 Report
  • 2018 Report
  • 2019 Report
  • 2022 Report

Program Timeline

• Application period: November-January; 
• Fellows notified of acceptance: March; 
• Informational webinars: April-May;
• Program dates: June to July.

Eligibility

• M.S. and Ph.D. students enrolled in U.S. universities are eligible to apply to the Summer Institute.
• All participants must be fully vaccinated (as defined by the CDC) against COVID-19 and will be asked to show proof of vaccination at the start of the program.
• Students selected to participate are expected to stay onsite in Tuscaloosa Alabama for the program. All students will be provided dorm-style lodging at the University of Alabama with individual bedrooms and a shared living suite. ​​We may be able to accommodate special housing requests as appropriate. Reach out to email hidden; JavaScript is required.
• Students should also expect to provide their own laptop computer, or work with organizers to accept a loaner if necessary. 

Award

Those selected to participate in the Summer Institute will receive:

• Reimbursement of travel expenses to and from Tuscaloosa. Travel advances may be provided as needed.
• A meal stipend while attending the program.
• Accommodations to reside in University of Alabama housing for the entirety of the program. (See above for more information)
• A $2,500 Honoraria.

CUAHSI will support travel expenses for student's advisors from their home institution to attend the Capstone event at the end of the Summer Institute.

How to Apply

Application Requirements:

• Application Form
• Statement of Interest
• Transcript
• Letter of Endorsement from the applicant's academic Advisor
• CV

Student applications will be evaluated based on student background, knowledge, training, and experience, including work in a collaborative environment. The ideal participant will be committed to advancing water prediction in the U.S., collaborative, curious, and a rapid learner.

Student applications for the 2023 Summer Institute have closed.