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Proteges build professional and personal relationships with science professionals, developing leadership and communication skills that strengthen the community.

Our dedicated team of staff sustains the program by supporting Proteges, mentors, alumni, and the broader NSF SOARS community. The team works year-round to prepare for each summer, attend and present at annual conferences, build community partnerships, and be the best possible stewards of Protege success. The team is advised by a dedicated Steering Committee, some of whom are program alumni.

NSF SOARS has supported over 275 undergraduate Proteges (interns), many of whom have gone on to become leaders in ESS. The program has built a lasting legacy of excellence, emphasizing holistic development, fostering a strong sense of community, and expanding access to educational and leadership opportunities.

The NSF SOARS program was established in 1996 by Thomas Windham and Rick Anthes to provide authentic research experiences alongside world-class scientists and engineers in atmospheric and related sciences. NSF SOARS aims to increase participation in the Earth system sciences (ESS) by supporting students’ success in research, graduate education, postsecondary pathways, and leadership development.