Visiting Scholars Program

Overview

The Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH) Visiting Scholars Program brings leading hydrologists, hydrologic modelers, water forecasting researchers, and other experts working in water science, hydroinformatics, and decision science to The University of Alabama (UA) to collaborate on CIROH related research and education initiatives with The University of Alabama faculty, CIROH Science Team, and federal partners at NOAA, USGS, and others.

CIROH is a leading translator of world-class water science research to operations. Its transdisciplinary research integrates hydrologic science, computer science, and social science to advance NOAA’s ability to deliver actionable water intelligence to those managing floods, droughts, and water quality and working to build community resilience.

The Visiting Scholars Program provides researchers with an opportunity to pursue a focused research or education objective while developing new collaborations at The University of Alabama and across the CIROH consortium and strengthening connections between research and operational water forecasting.

Program Goals

The CIROH Visiting Scholars Program aims to:

• Address a focused, short-term research or education objective of interest to both CIROH and the Visiting Scholar.
• Strengthen collaboration with The University of Alabama and across the CIROH consortium.
• Build relationships among leading water researchers, The University of Alabama faculty, CIROH Science Team, and practitioners at the NOAA National Water Center, USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility, and other partners.
• Advance research-to-operations and operations-to-research translation.
• Generate tangible outcomes that contribute to CIROH research, education, and community activities.

Eligibility

CIROH welcomes applications from researchers actively working in areas aligned with CIROH’s research themes.

Priority will be given to full-time faculty and researchers serving as principal investigators on CIROH-funded projects and currently employed at a CIROH member or partner institution.

Researchers from other institutions whose expertise aligns with CIROH’s research themes are also encouraged to apply.

Program Types

CIROH offers two Visiting Scholar options designed to accommodate different research objectives and schedules.

Type 1: One-Month

The One-Month program provides up to one month of residence at The University of Alabama during a semester or summer. The visit may be completed as a single stay or divided into multiple visits.

The remainder of the semester or summer is spent at the Scholar’s home institution or another location.

The One-Month fellowship includes:

• Competitive stipend
• Funds to support accommodation while in residence at The University of Alabama, in a local hotel, rental property, or on campus
• Funds to support travel to and from the Scholar’s home base for one or more trips

Applicants should clearly describe which activities will be completed while in residence at UA and which will be completed at their home institution, as well as the rationale for the proposed visit schedule.

Type 2: One Semester

The One Semester program provides an opportunity for a Visiting Scholar to be in residence at The University of Alabama for an entire semester or summer.

The One Semester fellowship includes:

• Competitive stiped
• Funds to support accommodation while in residence at The University of Alabama, in a local rental property or on campus
• Funds to support travel to and from the Scholar’s home base

Resources at The University of Alabama

Visiting Scholars will have access, subject to applicable review and approval procedures, to resources needed to support their research objectives. These may include:

• Desk or workspace
• Computational resources
• Campus facilities and resources
• Other research and educational resources at UA

Fellowship support is intended to offset costs associated with the Visiting Scholar’s participation in the program. Any remaining expenses for the duration of the program must be supported by the Scholar’s home institution, home government, external grant, or personal funds.

Application Timeline

Application Window: September 1–October 15, 2026
Notification Date: November 6, 2026

Application Requirements:

Applicants will submit the following materials through the online application:

1. Online Application Form:

Complete the CIROH Visiting Scholars Program application form.

2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume:

Maximum length: 2 pages

3. Cover Letter:

Maximum length: 1 page

The cover letter should briefly describe the applicant’s interest in the Visiting Scholars Program and relevant qualifications.

4. Project Rationale:

Provide a brief rationale for the proposed visit addressing the following questions:

• Research or Education Objective: What short-term research or education objective will be addressed during the program?
• Tangible Outcome: What tangible product or outcome will be produced during the program?
• Collaboration: How will the visit strengthen collaboration across the CIROH consortium?
• Research-to-Operations Impact: How will the visit enhance the effectiveness of research-to-operations and/or operations-to-research translation?

5. Project Proposal:

Maximum length: 2 pages

The proposal should:

• Identify the water prediction problem or challenge the project will address.
• Identify the relevant CIROH research theme(s).
• Describe the project’s goal and specific objectives for the proposed program period.
• Explain the approach and plan for accomplishing the objectives.
• Describe anticipated outcomes and tangible products.
• Explain how the work will contribute to CIROH research themes and educational activities.
• For the One-Month program, describe the work that will be completed at UA and at the Scholar’s home institution, including the rationale for the proposed visit schedule.

6. Letter(s) of Support:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of support from a local host at The University of Alabama and/or CIROH’s federal partners. Highest priority will be given to projects co-developed with a local host.   

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Application Review

All applications will be evaluated using three criteria, weighted equally:

• Scholarly Record: The applicant’s scholarly productivity and contributions, including publications, presentations, external funding, and broader impact.
  
• Objectives and Impact. The merit of the proposed research or education objectives, anticipated outcomes, and potential broader impacts of the visit.
  
• CIROH Engagement. The applicant’s engagement with CIROH activities and community collaborations to date, as well as proposed engagement during and following the Visiting Scholar appointment.

Awarding of Visiting Scholar fellowships is subject to the availability of funds.

Other Visiting Opportunities

In addition to the Visiting Scholars Program, CIROH supports other research visit opportunities, including 1-year sabbaticals and short-term visits.

For more information about the CIROH Visiting Scholars Program or other opportunities to visit CIROH and The University of Alabama, please contact:

Pia van Benthem
pvanbenthem@ua.edu