Students will not only participate in airborne data collection, but also take measurements at field sites. Using data from the campaign and NASA's extensive archive, they will design, implement, and present their own independent research projects. Throughout the process, students are supported by a team of faculty and graduate mentors who guide them as they develop their research skills. The program concludes with a 12-minute scientific presentation, where students share the results of their research.

Participants will receive a stipend as well as funding to cover their travel. Housing and transportation will also be provided during the eight-week program.

Applying to SARP

Who are our students?

SARP students come from across the country and from colleges and universities of all sizes. We have students from a range of STEM majors, from meteorology to mechanical engineering.

Students have a strong background in STEM and an expressed interest in applying their background to Earth science. Our students have an open mind, curiosity, and a desire to challenge themselves as they dive into an independent research process. Teamwork is an important aspect of field research, and we look for students that are excited to work and play in a community setting.

Many SARP students go on to continue their careers in Earth science research or applications. Former students have gone on to participate on airborne field campaigns, complete graduate degrees with their SARP faculty members, and develop long careers within the Earth Sciences.

Preferred applicant qualifications

Applicants must have a strong academic background in mathematics, engineering, or any of the physical, chemical, or biological sciences and an interest in the study of the Earth system.

Applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year US college or university. Students have either completed three years of college or are entering their final year of college. Graduate students are not eligible for SARP. Students from academic institutions that have limited research opportunities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be US citizens.

Selection Process

Applications for SARP are open from December 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025. Student selection process is based on the following criteria:

• Evidence of interest in Earth system science research
• Leadership qualities and ability to perform in teams
• STEM background
• Academic achievement

The SARP application is rigorous, and includes:

• An essay portion
• Two references that can provide recommendations
• Undergraduate transcripts
• Resume

How to Apply for SARP 2025

Interested in applying for the SARP 2025 internship? The application process has two parts:

Part 1:
Create an account on NASA’s STEM Gateway and upload your resume and transcript.

Part 2:
After Part 1 is complete, you will receive an email with a questionnaire that you must complete within one week. Note: The questionnaire will ask for the contact information of two references, who will then be sent a survey to be filled out on your behalf.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Olaya at stephanie.olaya@nasa.gov.

Being a SARP Mentor

Each year SARP hires 10 graduate-level mentors to work closely with faculty in supporting undergraduates in their research. SARP hires mentors from the following disciplines:

• Atmospheric chemistry
• Ocean remote sensing
• Terrestrial remote sensing
• Earth science programming

Selection Process

Mentor applications can be accessed by interested applicants and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates will be contacted for a virtual interview. Once all positions are filled, the application window will close. Mentor selection process is based on the following criteria:

• Must have completed or is currently completing a graduate degree in the respective fields highlighted in SARP.
  • Not sure if your field is applicable? Please reach out!
• Demonstrate interest in working with students and guiding undergraduate scientists through a rigorous internship.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to effectively perform in group settings.
• Flexibility and adaptability in mentoring students with varying levels of experience and backgrounds.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, working alongside other mentors, faculty, and students to achieve common goals and foster a cooperative atmosphere.
• Excellent communication skills
• Commitment to fostering a supportive environment
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback

Our ideal mentors are excited about teaching and have foundational knowledge in their field. If you are interested in applying, you can find the application here, within the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Olaya at nasasarp@gmail.com.

Life at SARP

Program Structure

SARP has two branches of the program: the East and West coast. Each year, the specific location of the Program on either Coasts may vary. Both coasts follow the same program structure.

The first two weeks of SARP are a focused crash course in Earth science research at NASA. There are presentations from SARP faculty, as well as NASA guest speakers. During the second week students participate in a NASA field campaign, including both airborne and ground truthing components. Students are also randomly assigned into their research groups.

After the first two weeks, students move to a university where they work on their independent research projects. Students live with their research teams and graduate mentors. Daily tasks include meeting with their project groups, having individual meetings with faculty and graduate mentors, and attending optional coding lessons. SARP staff and graduate mentors are available to provide structure and guidance as students reflect on their research styles and develop a rhythm.

NOTE, this is a non-traditional internship, and participants should expect to be working on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Living

Students live with their groups in SARP-provided housing. Each student has an individual room near their research group. Graduate mentors also live with the students and serve as Resident Advisors. Housing sites on both coasts are located within a 10-15 minute walk from grocery stores and restaurants. SARP is a community experience, and students often share meals, relax, and explore the surrounding areas together.

Weekends at SARP either involve continued research or exposure to Earth Science enrichment opportunities such as a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Research Areas

Faculty and Research Groups

There are four research groups on each SARP coast, each led by a distinguished faculty advisor. Faculty and graduate mentors work together to help students learn about their topic area and complete their research project. Students are randomly assigned to research groups and should be willing to participate in any group if applying to SARP. The 8 research groups and their respective coasts are listed below.

East Coast Research Groups

• Ocean Remote Sensing - Use satellites, buoys, and a myriad of measurement techniques to investigate biological activity in the ocean.
• Atmospheric Science - Collect airborne and ground based air quality data to explore the gases that make up the air we breathe.
• Terrestrial Fluxes - Dive into the movement of methane and carbon dioxide as it moves between the terrestrial and atmospheric pieces of the earth system.
• Hydroecology - Explore the interplay between the ever-present water cycle and the intricacies of terrestrial ecology.

West Coast Research Groups

• Ocean Remote Sensing - Use satellites, buoys, and a myriad of measurement techniques to investigate biological activity in the ocean.
• Whole Air Sampling - Collect air samples and analyze the detailed make up of trace gasses, greenhouse gasses, and other chemical constituents that affect our health and our environment.
• Atmospheric Aerosols - Small particles in the atmosphere, aerosols, have a profound impact on human health and the environment. Investigate the related chemistry and physics of these particles in the Aerosols group.
• Land Remote Sensing - View the Earth's surface from the sky using a variety of spectral analysis techniques. Investigate forest ecology, geology, land disturbances, and more.

Students do not need to have extensive experience in their research area before coming to SARP. In fact, it is encouraged that students dive into a new area of focus and broaden their scientific understanding. Many interesting projects have been developed as a result of students applying their own unique backgrounds to relevant problems within the Earth system.

Independent research

Throughout the summer, students design and implement an independent research project. Don’t worry if you don’t have prior experience—many SARP students are new to research. SARP faculty and graduate mentors are here to guide you every step of the way!

The culmination of the summer is a 12 minute research presentation. Students present their talks for the other groups as well as SARP staff and NASA guests. The program concludes with a final celebration to commemorate the many accomplishments of the summer.

Programming support & Open science

Programming is an important research skill, and SARP is dedicated to providing high-quality education in this area. Whether you are an experienced programmer or new to coding, SARP offers a supportive environment to develop your skills. Each SARP coast has a dedicated mentor—known as the coding mentor—who is available on-site to guide students. The coding mentor leads an introductory programming series during weeks 3 and 4 and is also available for office hours throughout the summer.

As the science community shifts to further acknowledge the importance of open science, SARP provides students with the opportunity to learn about how to communicate and share scientific findings. Open science lectures are one of several types of supplemental lectures given to students over the course of the 8-week program.