[Washington, D.C.] – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’ s Cooperative Science Centers (CSC), funded under the Educational Partnership Program, were cut from the national budget for fiscal year 2026. CSCs are NOAA’s primary method to develop highly-skilled professionals knowledgeable about the agency’s mission who are ready to enter its workforce, and now, CSCs are working to convince U.S. Senators and members of the U.S. Congress to reverse the funding decision.
The Educational Partnership Program has a critical role in the development and advancement of students across the United States in disciplines that aligned with NOAA’s mission. Since 2001, The program has provided 4,665 students with transformative opportunities for professional development, academic support, and hands-on research experience. Through its Cooperative Science Centers, the program has graduated over 2,000 students and fostered collaborative research projects that advance NOAA’s mission.
CSCs were designed to guide and support students in minority serving institutions (MSIs) by providing research opportunities, hands-on experience and funds to cover their tuition and research expenses. The centers have successfully created a pipeline from the classroom to the NOAA and STEM workforces, producing highly skilled and trained postsecondary graduates and making niche career fields more accessible for entry.
NOAA funded students often later become skilled NOAA professionals who make a significant impact on advancing science and servicing the public. John Moore, a 2010 graduate of the NCAS-M Cooperative Science Center program, shared in an interview how the program and its mentors greatly impacted his growth and professional trajectory.
“They really exposed me to a career. My first exposure to a career in meteorology outside of academia, so very, very fortunate for that,” he said in the first episode of the NCAS-M 2024 Alumni podcast series.
Cutting funding would negatively affect not only the scientific sector, but also the public at large. While officials at CSCs work to educate policymakers, it is highly encouraged for members of the public to reach out to their representatives and advocate for continued support. Representatives can be located by visiting Find Your Representative | house.gov.
About NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
The NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (NCAS-M), one of the four Cooperative Science Centers, has Howard University as its lead institution. NCAS-M is dedicated to producing highly skilled and experienced professionals who will contribute meaningfully to NOAA’s mission of fostering a Weather-Ready Nation.