Apply to do research
Before starting your work, all research teams must submit an application form, be evaluated, and get approved. Applications are required for proposed work in any field area: Niwot Ridge, the Green Lakes Valley in the City of Boulder Watershed, and the Columbine Spring Reserve (the CU property around the Mountain Research Station).
You must submit a new application each calendar year that you are doing your work, even if there are no changes.
Application deadlines
May 1st
for the summer field season
At least 1 month
before starting winter work
- Late applications for work in the City of Boulder watershed are unlikely to be approved.
- Late applications to work in the Niwot Ridge Special Research Area will not be approved unless special justification is provided by the investigator and accepted by us.
Application evaluation
Your application form allows us to catalog all the proposed research projects and their locations, enabling us to assess whether we can logistically support your proposed field work, check that it meets safety standards, and assess whether additional permission is needed from the US Forest Service (e.g. projects involving significant ground disturbance, the use of potentially toxic chemicals, or significant infrastructure such as towers or buildings).
Your form will be evaluated by the Station Director. For applications to work in Green Lakes Valley, MRS assists the City of Boulder in regulating access.
Prepare to apply
Before filling your online application form, complete the following steps:
1. If you did research at MRS last year, submit your research report.
We will not approve your application for this year until you submit your Research Report form from last year.
2. If you want to work in the City of Boulder Watershed (Green Lakes Valley), review the regulations, and write a justification of why you can only do the work there.
If you want to work in the City of Boulder Watershed, your application must demonstrate why the research cannot be done elsewhere (e.g. alpine limnology). Also, team leaders should consider printing copies of the regulations for their team members to take in the field.
3. Complete the researcher safety tasks, including assembling a field safety plan.
Your field safety plan should be emailed to mrs@colorado.edu
4. Prepare your application answers beforehand.
Prior to opening the application form, all applicants should download our example application or find your application from last year. Prepare your answers in a doc file so when you apply, you can easily cut and paste them into the online Qualtrics form. The form includes questions in each of these categories: Basic admin information, field safety, logistics, research (many questions), and City of Boulder Watershed (if applicable to you).
Questions?
Contact the Station Director.
Apply
As noted above, please prepare all of your application materials prior to applying via our online form. The button below links to a Qualtrics form that you should only submit once.
Do not submit multiple times.
Deadline for the summer season: May 1st
Deadline for winter work: At least a month prior to your start
Thanks for applying!
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