Apply

Find information about the CI Compass Fellowship Program (CICF) application process below.

“Before the program, I thought that doing research would be too hard, but the people in the program changed my mind about that; anyone can do research as long as they have a great team to help them,” says Nona Nersisyan, 2022 CI Compass Student Fellow.

CICF Spring Program 2026 Applications are now closed.

Spring Program 2026 Application Process

• Applications Open: September 10, 2025
• Applications Close: October 17, 2025
• Recommendation Form Due: October 24, 2025
• Interviews: End of October - early November 2025 Early November - mid-November
• Notification of Acceptance: Mid-November 2025 Late November 2025
• Acknowledgement of Acceptance: Late November 2025 Early December 2025

Spring 2026 Program Schedule

• 2026 CICF Spring Program begins: January 20, 2026
• 2026 CICF Spring Program ends: April 9, 2026
• There will be one week off for Spring Break (March 16 - March 20, 2026).

Spring 2026 Program Sessions

• Zoom sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am (PT) / 12:00 - 1:00 pm (ET), followed by Office Hours for questions.
• Additionally, one 1-hour asynchronous technical lecture will be provided each week for students to watch at their convenience.
• Participation in all program Zoom sessions is required.

Course Credit Option

• Student Fellows wishing to receive course credit for the CICF Spring Program will need a faculty sponsor from their University to be the instructor on record for an independent study or similar course.
• While CICF provides the appropriate amount of “contact hours” for a course credit option, this option will depend on your institution’s requirements.
• CI Compass is happy to discuss the program with potential faculty sponsors at cicf@ci-compass.org.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students at a U.S. university or college (including community colleges).

• Students majoring in computer science, information science, data science, applied mathematics and statistics, embedded systems, domain sciences, communications, social sciences related to cyberinfrastructure, and related fields are eligible to apply.

• If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact cicf@ci-compass.org.

Requirements

• Student Fellows must be available between January 20 - April 9, 2026, for classes held on Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 am PT / 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET (note: no classes 3/16 - 3/20 for Spring Break).

Preferred Skills/Abilities

• No previous experience is required, but applicants should be curious, eager to learn, and have basic problem-solving skills.
• Basic knowledge of or an eagerness to learn about cyberinfrastructure, data lifecycle, and U.S. NSF Major/Mid-scale Facilities.
• Ability to work with peers and mentors to support collaboration and inquiry.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools.
• Potential interest in a career in cyberinfrastructure or scientific computing.
• Ability and willingness to work asynchronously on course material and group projects.
• Ability and willingness to work within the CI Compass Code of Conduct.

CICF Spring Program 2026 applications are now closed.

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Need more information?

The CI Compass Fellowship Program is directed by Angela Murillo, Director of CICF and Nicole Virdone, CI Compass Director of Outreach. For more information on the program, please email cicf@ci-compass.org.