Summer Institute
The Water Prediction Innovators Summer Institute is a seven-week experiential learning program that brings graduate students together with academic researchers, and other professionals. Since the first Summer Institute in 2015, more than 250 students have participated in the program, which continues to play an important role in advancing water prediction in the United States.
The call for 2026 Theme Leaders is now open! Application details available here.
About the Summer Institute
The Summer Institute is a partnership between CUAHSI and the University of Alabama that aims to engage the academic community in research to advance water prediction and flood forecasting. Students work in small teams and are mentored by university faculty and other professionals. Student applications are accepted in the fall of each year.
Although there may be some overlap between a Summer Institute project and an individual student's academic research, Summer Institute projects generally are self-contained. The Summer Institute culminates in a capstone presentation and a final project report. Most project teams have published their work in a scientific journal after the completion of the program.
Solicitations for Theme Leaders are open now until December 1, 2025. Applications for Fellows will open in November.
For more information contact Julia Masterman at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
Proposed Themes for the 2026 Summer Institute:
Research projects completed by fellows over the course of the program will relate to the following Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH) Research Themes:
- Advancing the Next Generation National Hydrologic Modeling
- Advancing Risk Communication and Public Engagement in Hydrologic Hazards
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Applications in Hydrological Predictions
- Developing Novel Hydroinformatics Tools, Services, and Datasets to Support Operational Frameworks
- Innovations in Flood Inundation Mapping for Operational Forecasting
Summer Institute 10th Anniversary
In 2025, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Summer Institute program!
As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, The University of Alabama and Alabama Water Institute released a retrospective video highlighting the Summer Institute’s decade of impact: 10 Years, 1 Mission: How Elite Water Scientists Built the National Water Model.
Video created by: Kim Byers, Riley Baird, Ryan Ruiz, and Brock Parker from the Alabama Water Institute Communications Team.
Learn More
- Watch the Next-Gen Framework and Summer Institute Program Overview with the National Water Center.
- Watch the 2021 NWC Innovators Program Summer Institute Informational Webinar.
- Learn more about the National Water model from Trey Flowers, Director of the Analysis and Prediction Division, NOAA/NWC/OWP.
- View the Technical Reports highlighting student projects from the previous Summer Institutes:
Program Timeline
- Application period: November-January;
- Fellows notified of acceptance: March;
- Informational webinars: April-May;
- Program dates: June to July.
Eligibility
- M.S. and Ph.D. students enrolled in U.S. universities are eligible to apply to the Summer Institute.
- Students selected to participate are expected to stay onsite in Tuscaloosa Alabama for the program. All students will be provided dorm-style lodging at the University of Alabama with individual bedrooms and a shared living suite.
- Students should also expect to provide their own laptop computer, or work with organizers to accept a loaner if necessary.
How to Apply
Student applications for the 2026 Summer Institute will open in the Fall of 2025.
Application Requirements:
- Application Form
- Transcript
- Letter of Endorsement from the applicant's academic Advisor
- CV
Student applications will be evaluated based on student background, knowledge, training, and experience, including work in a collaborative environment. The ideal participant will be committed to advancing water prediction, collaborative, curious, and a rapid learner.
