NOAA EXPERIENTIAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITY (NERTO)

Overview

The NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) is a required component of the NCAS-M graduate fellowship. This unique opportunity allows students to integrate academic learning with hands-on, NOAA mission-relevant training.
The NERTO must be completed at a NOAA facility under the guidance of a full-time NOAA mentor and must span a minimum of twelve weeks.

Steps to Complete the NERTO Application

  1. Search current NERTO internship opportunities in the NOAA SSIO Portal. New opportunities can also be written and uploaded to the portal.
  2. Download the SSIO Project Template (MS Word) to draft your internship opportunity.
  3. The NOAA mentor uploads the completed project to the SSIO Portal.
  4. NOAA mentors may contact the EPP/MSI Program Office at oed.epp10@noaa.gov with any questions.
  5. Learn more about the NERTO program at: www.noaa.gov/noaa-experiential-research-training-opportunities-nerto
  6. Students email their cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript to jmanswell-butty@howard.edu for submission to NOAA Office of Education (OEd).
  7. Once the application is reviewed:
    1. An interview may be conducted and a selection decision is made.
    2. The student, academic advisor, and NCAS-M Center Director (Dr. Sen Chiao) collaborate with the NOAA mentor to finalize the 12-week internship plan.
    3. The NOAA mentor drafts and sends the offer letter to NOAA EPP/MSI.
    4. Arrangements are made for badging, network access, and workspace at the NOAA facility.
    5. NOAA mentor submits the finalized offer letter to NOAA EPP/MSI and coordinates with NCAS-M on next steps.
    6. Students must complete the NCAS-M NERTO Form prior to the internship and submit it to Dr. Jo-Anne Manswell Butty (jmanswell-butty@howard.edu).
    7. Submit the NERTO Final Report to NCAS-M within 14 days after completing the internship; NCAS-M will forward it to NOAA EPP/MSI.

NERTO Resources

The NOAA Office of Education recommends reviewing the following resources:

For additional information, contact:

  • Dr. Jo-Anne Manswell Butty,