The William M. Lapenta NWS Student Internship Program

National Centers for Environmental Prediction Building
National Centers for Environmental Prediction Building

The William M. Lapenta NWS Student Internship Program

The National Weather Service (NWS) plays a key role in protecting American lives and properties. The timely provision of reliable weather, water, climate, and environmental information has supported the Nation's social and economic development. NWS offices in communities across the United States and its territories, supported by regional and national centers, provide the authoritative information needed by the public, including national, regional, state, tribal, and local authorities, to plan, prepare, mitigate, and respond to natural and human-caused events.

As part of the NWS, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) is "Where America's Climate and Weather Services Begin." Virtually all the meteorological data collected over the globe arrives at NCEP, where environmental scientists analyze this information and generate a wide variety of environmental guidance information. NCEP delivers national and global weather, water, climate and space weather guidance, forecasts, warnings and analyses to a broad range of users and partners. These products and services respond to user needs to protect life and property, enhance the nation's economy, and support the nation's growing need for environmental information.

NCEP is offering up to 20 paid summer internships targeted towards current 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate and enrolled graduate students to work in areas that will meet the future needs of the ever-broadening user community and address the strategic climate-water-weather issues. Each student will collaborate with one or more scientists at our NCEP centers located in College Park, MD: Climate Prediction Center, Environmental Modeling Center, Ocean Prediction Center, and Weather Prediction Center or at NWS Offices in Silver Spring, MD: Meteorological Development Laboratory and AWIPS Program Office.

Students may also be placed at the following NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) facilities: Climate Program Office (Silver Spring, MD), Office of Weather and Air Quality (Silver Spring, MD) and Air Resources Laboratory (College Park, MD).

Eligibility

Must be enrolled in an undergraduate (sophomore and junior status only) or graduate degree program, and be a U.S. Citizen willing to undergo a security background check.

Program Details

Internships are full time for 10 weeks between June and August, with a preferred starting date in early June.

How to Apply

The 2021 application period will open on November 20, 2020.

1. Register for an account at https://ncepinternship.smapply.io

2. Prepare the following to be uploaded to the site:

- A personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your relevant career interests and past experiences in your area of interest and why you are applying for this NCEP internship. Please include mention of which office (NCEP Center, NWS MDL, AWIPS office) you are most interested in and why.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A transcript (unofficial is sufficient) from your institution

3. Two letters of recommendation are required to be submitted on your behalf. You are responsible for checking your application status online to ensure both letters have been submitted.

Applications will be accepted November 20, 2020, through February 1, 2021, at 11:59 PM (EST)

Questions?

Email ncepinternships@noaa.gov if you have questions.