UCAR

The Membership Committee considers new and renewal applications for membership by North American academic institutions between January and April each year.

This time-frame allows the committee to review the application material and visit the campus prior to making their recommendation on membership. Applications to renew a membership are considered during the same time-frame. However, the committee does not visit renewing colleges or universities as part of this process. All initial and renewing memberships must be voted on and approved at the Annual Members Meeting each October.

THE 2025 RENEWAL APPLICATION DEADLINE IS Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

Universities and nonprofit corporations organized and operated for educational or scientific purposes, and located within the United States, Canada, or Mexico, are eligible for UCAR membership provided they meet the following criteria:

  1. Program of studies and research. Has made a definitive, substantial, and continuing commitment to a full, coherent, and integrated program leading to a baccalaureate, doctorate or other graduate degree in one or more of the atmospheric sciences or related fields.*
  2. Progress in the atmospheric sciences. Has made a definitive, substantial, and continuing commitment to progress in the atmospheric sciences or related fields as evidenced by scholarly works of significance by its faculty in the atmospheric sciences or related fields.
  3. Participation in the activities of UCAR. Has made, or — as might be the case of new members — is willing to make, a clear commitment of active participation in UCAR activities, including its governance, programs, and facilities.

*Note: "Related fields" are those that deal directly with the study of the atmosphere, including astrophysics, biogeochemistry, hydrology, geography, oceanography, space physics, and related societal research.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL APPLICATION PROCESS

1. The UCAR Governance office will email member representatives a notice of renewal in December. Member representatives should reply to that email with their intention to renew their membership.

2. Member representatives are encouraged to reach out to colleagues to collect data for the renewal application, especially for the Progress in Earth System and Related Sciences and Participation in UCAR Activities sections. The Membership Committee strongly encourages comprehensive, complete answers to these questions. Please see Points of Emphasis here and examples of complete applications can be found here and here.

3. The application is in a PDF form. We recommend you share the form with your colleagues so they can include their participation in NCAR and UCAR activities. Email the completed application to UCAR Governance staff before April 30, 2025.

4. Submit a letter to the president of UCAR from your university’s president or chief executive officer affirming the university’s commitment to the atmospheric and related science programs at the university. Your application is not complete without this letter! Email the letter to UCAR Governance staff before April 30, 2025.

The Membership Committee will review applications in the summer and make recommendations to the Members for their vote at the October Members Meeting.

MEMBERSHIP TERM AND FEE

Membership in UCAR is for an eight-year renewable term. Membership starts when the UCAR Members vote to approve the membership application at the UCAR Annual Members Meeting in October of each year, then runs through the end of the eighth calendar year after that. 

For example, Members who are approved in October 2025, expire on December 31, 2033.  Those Members would be invited to submit a renewal application by April 30, 2033 and have their renewal voted on in October, 2033. 

The renewal fee is $3,500 every eight years, and may be paid annually ($437.50), if preferred. The invoice will be sent after the October Members Meeting, if the application is approved by the Members. 

Final Note: Institutions are responsible for submission of the required materials by the advertised deadline.

Partial or incomplete submissions may result in membership admission delay or renewal lapse. Receipt of complete application materials by the deadline is extremely important in order for the Membership Committee to have sufficient time to give the application full and proper consideration. If the application materials are not received by the deadline, the Membership Committee will not have sufficient time and will not be able to vote on the application. In the case of renewals, the result will be that membership will lapse. In the case of new applications, membership will be delayed.  - Updated by the UCAR Membership Committee, February 2016

CONTACT US

Aneka Finley
Governance & University Relations
afinley@ucar.edu
303-497-1658

Rachel Dammann
Membership & Governance Specialist
rdammann@ucar.edu
303-497-1658