Membership Guide#

Version 1.0 | Effective Date: January 1, 2026#

Who Can Join?#

Students (high school, undergrad, grad) interested in space science, astrophysics, or cosmic rays!

What we’re looking for:

  • Curiosity: Want to learn and do real science

  • Time: ~2 hours/week (flexible - more when you can, less during exams)

  • English: Good enough to communicate (doesn’t have to be perfect)

  • Teamwork: Can work with others online

  • Interest: In physics, engineering, data analysis, or outreach

What you DON’T need:

  • ❌ A physics degree

  • ❌ Coding experience (we can teach you!)

  • ❌ Perfect grades

  • ❌ Fancy equipment

Types of Membership#

Active Student Members (~10 currently)#

You: Contribute regularly, part of the team

Requirements:

  • Submit application (see how to apply)

  • Complete simple onboarding (set up GitHub, etc.)

  • Follow Code of Conduct

  • Contribute when you can (~2 hrs/week average)

Benefits:

  • GitHub write access

  • Listed on website (if you want)

  • Eligible for paper authorship

  • Voice in decisions

  • Learn tons of stuff!

Under 18? Your parent/guardian needs to complete this form.

Occasional Contributors#

You: Help out sometimes, maybe alumni or busy students

Requirements:

Benefits:

  • GitHub access to relevant projects

  • Can earn authorship for significant work

  • Listed as contributor (if regular enough)

Advisors/Mentors#

You: Faculty or professional who can mentor us

Requirements:

  • Be willing to advise (~1 hour/month)

  • Approved by Programme Leads

Benefits:

  • Listed as advisor

  • Access to see what we’re doing

  • Invited to meetings

How to Join#

1. Apply#

Fill out the application on our website: https://capibara3.github.io

Tell us:

  • Who you are

  • What you’re interested in (CRD? COSMOS? Both? Unsure?)

  • What you’d like to work on

  • Your background (brief - no need for a full CV)

2 Optionally: Quick Chat#

Programme Lead might schedule a 20-30 min video call to:

  • Say hi

  • Answer your questions

  • Figure out how you can contribute

  • Make sure it’s a good fit

No stress - this is informal!

3. Get Started#

If accepted:

  • Sign the membership agreement (simple)

  • If under 18: parent completes consent form

  • Join GitHub organization

  • Complete onboarding tutorials (just the basics)

  • Get assigned a mentor or buddy

4. Probation Period (~1 month)#

  • See if you like it

  • We see if it’s working out

  • No commitment - you can leave, we might suggest it’s not a fit

  • Most people continue!

What’s Expected#

All Members Should:#

✅ Be respectful: Follow Code of Conduct
✅ Communicate: Let us know if you’ll be inactive
✅ Contribute: Do something (code, analysis, documentation, ideas…)
✅ Document: Write down what you did
✅ Participate: Join meetings when you can

Time Commitment#

  • Minimum: ~2 hours/week average

  • Reality: Some weeks more, some weeks zero (exams, life, etc.)

  • If inactive: Let us know! We understand student life

Quality over quantity - an hour of focused work beats 10 hours of distraction.

Staying Active#

Active = contributed in past 6 months

Contributions count as:

  • Code commits

  • Issues/discussions

  • Documentation

  • Analysis

  • Meetings

  • Outreach

  • Testing

Inactive? That’s okay! Just:

  • Let us know if you’re taking a break

  • We might move you to “Alumni” after 12 months

  • You can always come back

If Things Aren’t Working Out#

You Want to Leave#

No problem! Just:

  1. Email the Programme Lead

  2. We’ll wrap up any in-progress work

  3. Remove GitHub access

  4. Handle data per Privacy Policy

  5. You can stay listed as “Alumni”

No hard feelings - student life is busy and priorities change!

We Need to Remove Someone#

This rarely happens, but if someone:

  • Violates Code of Conduct seriously

  • Is completely inactive without communication (12+ months)

  • Acts harmfully toward the collaboration

Process:

  1. Talk first: Programme Lead discusses the issue

  2. Warning: Clear explanation of problem

  3. Probation: 30 days to improve (if appropriate)

  4. Decision: Programme Lead + 2 senior members review

  5. Removal: If necessary, with clear reasoning

Appeal: Can appeal to Advisory Board within 14 days

Special Case: Minors#

Any violation involving minors (especially safety rules) is taken very seriously and may result in immediate removal.

Alumni Status#

When you leave/graduate:

  • Can be listed as “Alumni” on website

  • Can stay in touch

  • Invited to occasional events

  • Welcome to contribute if you have time

  • Can always rejoin formally if circumstances change

Advisors/Faculty#

Want to formally partner or mentor? Great!

Contact: Email

We value:

  • Mentorship and guidance

  • Connecting us with resources

  • Scientific expertise

  • Career advice

  • Reality checks

We don’t expect:

  • Tons of time

  • Micro-management

  • Funding (nice if possible, but not required)

Membership Agreement#

By joining CAPIBARA, you agree to:

  • Follow all collaboration policies (Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy, etc.)

  • Contribute when you can (~2 hrs/week)

  • Be professional and respectful

  • Give credit appropriately (cite CAPIBARA in relevant work)

  • Keep unpublished stuff confidential

  • Work under appropriate supervision (especially if under 18)

Signature: Digital signature via email as signed PDF

For Members Under 18:

Your parent/guardian must also complete and sign the Parental Consent Form.

Note: The parental consent form includes detailed provisions for minors and must be reviewed, completed, and signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Questions?#

General: Post in GitHub Discussions
Application: Email Specific: Tag the Programme Lead

Last Updated: 22 February 2026