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.
Visit Window:
2027 Visiting Scholar visits may take place between January 2 and December 15, 2027.
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.
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.
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.
For more information about the CIROH Visiting Scholars Program or other opportunities to visit CIROH and The University of Alabama, please contact:
CIROH Research Project Coordinator
Pia van Benthem
pvanbenthem@ua.edu