OpenFieldThe University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is a premier Tier-1 public research institution (R1) celebrated for its five Nobel laureates in physics and chemistry, top-ranked aerospace engineering sciences, JILA quantum research institute, and world-leading climate science at CIRES.
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Prestigious fellowship awarded to outstanding incoming doctoral candidates pursuing advanced research in physics, aerospace engineering, or environmental sciences at CU Boulder.
World-leading aerospace doctoral program with NASA, LASP, and industry partnerships focusing on astrodynamics, autonomous space systems, satellite remote sensing, and hypersonics.
Advanced master's degree in the Department of Applied Mathematics covering numerical analysis, high-performance scientific computing, wavelets, and mathematical modeling.
Groundbreaking research at the world-famous JILA institute (joint institute of CU Boulder & NIST) investigating ultracold atomic gases, atomic clocks, and quantum sensing.
Paid technical engineering internship with major aerospace contractors across the Colorado aerospace corridor, testing satellite subsystems and guidance software.
Two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) analyzing polar ice sheet melting and atmospheric chemistry.
Faculty appointment in the Department of Physics and JILA, leading an independent experimental research group in quantum computing, optical lattices, or quantum networking.
Doctoral students in engineering and physical sciences receive guaranteed full funding packages covering 100% of resident/non-resident tuition and student health insurance, plus annual living stipends of $35,000 to $43,000 through Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) and Graduate Part-Time Instructor (GPTI) positions.
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at University of Colorado Boulder:
JILA Fellow, NIST Fellow & Professor of Physics · Strontium Optical Clocks, Ultracold Molecules, Laser Frequency Combs, Precision Measurement
Distinguished Professor & Joseph T. Negler Professor of Aerospace Engineering · Satellite Navigation, GNSS Remote Sensing, Space Situational Awareness, Orbit Determination
Professor of Geography, Fellow of CIRES & Former NASA Chief Scientist · Satellite Remote Sensing, Ice Sheet Mass Loss, Cryospheric Change, Space Policy
Facts reflect official University of Colorado Boulder documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue