GFD Fellowship Program
Overview
The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) Summer Program is an intensive eight-week research and training program hosted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Each summer, graduate students from around the world join this prestigious program as Fellows to engage in cutting-edge research under the guidance of GFD Staff — researchers and academics who serve as mentors throughout the summer.
Program Structure
The program begins with an intensive first week featuring a comprehensive lecture series delivered by two leading experts on the summer's theme. Fellows take notes during these lectures, which are later developed into the first chapters of the summer's proceedings volume.
The jewel in the crown of each Fellow's summer is an original research project carried out by the Fellow with help from the GFD Staff. During the opening week, GFD staff members present potential research projects to the Fellows. These projects often relate to the theme of the summer, but can also include current open questions in physical oceanography and fluid dynamics. By the middle of the second week, Fellows have selected their project and then begin seven weeks of intensive, supervised research.
Throughout the summer, Fellows work closely with their assigned GFD staff mentors while also benefiting from insights provided by a stream of short-term academic visitors. The program maintains an active learning environment through daily seminars covering diverse topics in physical oceanography and fluid dynamics, with speakers available to fellows for informal discussions over lunch.
Projects are often highly interdisciplinary, drawing from both the expertise of the GFD staff and the many short-term academic visitors. The emphasis is on concentrated training in research, with projects using laboratory experiments, numerical simulations and advanced mathematical methods to solve research problems. Fellows are encouraged to choose projects that develop their skillset beyond their previous and ongoing research experience.
The program concludes with Fellows presenting their research during the final week. A written report for each project is then included in the proceedings of the summer program. Frequently, projects lead to publishable results and develop into journal articles.
