Description
The 2025 Momentum Fellowship at LEAP (Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence + Physics) welcomes doctoral students in data science interested in having a summer research immersion in climate data science, with the opportunity to apply their data science/machine learning skills in climate modeling and develop research interests in climate data science and climate science communications. Momentum Fellowship project leads work closely with Fellows throughout the summer on a well-defined, yet open-ended, research problem in climate data science and/or climate science communications. Project leads will also guide their Fellows to present their summer research at future LEAP events and other workshops/conferences. Read more about 2026 Summer Research Projects.
Momentum Fellows are responsible for mentoring up to two (2) undergraduate students in the LEAP Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program. Each project will host up to two (2) undergraduate students paired with one (1) Fellow.
Fellows are expected to work for 10 weeks (May 26 – July 31, 2026) and 25 hours on average each week. Each Fellow will be awarded an $8,000 summer stipend** to support their research and professional growth, receive travel support, and have access to LEAP resources. Additional housing support may be available.
The 2026 Momentum Fellowship will be held at Columbia University’s Morningside Heights and Manhattanville Campuses. LEAP’s office is located in the Columbia Engineering Innovation Hub.
** Those enrolled in a Columbia University program will receive a salary equivalent to $8,000.
Requirements
What are the APPLICATION requirements?
LEAP invites applications from doctoral students in data science** (Computer Science, Statistics, Operations Research, and related interdisciplinary fields) interested in a summer research immersion in climate data science, applying their data science/machine learning skills in climate modeling, climate science communications, and developing research interests in climate data science. We invite all candidates to apply.
** Applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or U.S. nationals, and are enrolled in
a data science Ph.D. program in the United States are eligible to apply for a LEAP Momentum Fellowship.
F1 visa holders enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Columbia University (with expected graduation date
after Summer 2026) are also eligible to apply.
How do I apply? And what are the deadlines?
- The APPLICATION is available online.
- Applications are due by March 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
- Letters of recommendation should be submitted via email to leap@columbia.edu by March 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (EDT).
Select candidates will be notified to schedule an interview with relevant project leads before an official offer is extended by the end of March 2026.
