Celebrating 25 Years of Impact
We have been preparing students for careers aligned with NOAA’s mission through research, professional development, and experiential training.
25 Years of Positive Impact
In 2026, NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program (EPP) celebrates 25 years of readying students for competitive STEM fields through academic awards, hands-on internships, fellowships, and professional development opportunities. NCAS-M is unique because it has been part of the program since its start.
Since its founding, NCAS-M has supported 383 students in earning degrees, including 58 Ph.D., 76 M.S., and 124 B.S. degrees across meteorology, atmospheric science, physics, Earth system science, geology, public policy, and information systems. The program has also played a leading role in broadening participation in the atmospheric sciences, supporting more than 50% of African American and more than 20% of Hispanic atmospheric science Ph.D. recipients in the United States (2003–2019). Looking ahead, NCAS-M is projected to support 70% of African American and 35% of Hispanic doctoral recipients, helping diversify a field where these groups remain significantly underrepresented.
Our impact is seen in the cutting-edge research developed by students and faculty at our partner institutions and in collaboration with NOAA staff. We’ve published more than 150 peer-reviewed student and faculty publications and delivered over 925 conference presentations. Our students have also secured more than 55 NOAA internships and 100 NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunities (NERTOs), which give students opportunities to learn technical skills, understand NOAA’s organizational culture, and apply their academic training in real-world settings.
We’ve also completed 12 Aerosols and Ocean Science Expeditions (AEROSE) research cruises in the Atlantic and Caribbean, producing landmark research on Saharan dust transport, air-sea interactions, and Atlantic hurricanes that has advanced NOAA forecasting capabilities.
Supporting the Next Generation of Scientists
NCAS-M is committed to ensuring the next generation of students is exposed to atmospheric sciences and other NOAA-related fields. Through our various outreach activities, we’ve reached over 20,000 K–12 students, including those who have participated in local science fairs, experienced our summer weather camps, and visited the Howard University Beltsville Campus for STEM learning activities.
Highlights of Our Work
- ✔ Secured $100M in leveraged funding to expand research and training opportunities.
- ✔ Advanced science through 800+ NOAA collaborative projects across line offices.
- ✔ Partnered with 210+ NOAA collaborators to guide student research and mentoring.
- ✔ Conducted 10+ AEROSE field campaigns aboard the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown.
- ✔ Celebrated 10 alumni hired by NOAA, strengthening the agency’s workforce.
- ✔ Contributed 150+ peer-reviewed publications to the atmospheric science community.
- ✔ Supported 380+ students through research, internships, and fellowships.
- ✔ Reached 20,000+ K–12 students through outreach and engagement programs.
- ✔ Shared expertise in 920+ conference presentations nationwide and internationally.
- ✔ Supported 58 doctoral degrees for students from underrepresented communities.
- ✔ Delivered 250 NOAA experiential trainings to prepare students for careers in science.
From NCAS to NCAS-M
NCAS established with NOAA EPP support.
Expanded to 13 partner institutions nationwide.
Successive cycles deepened NOAA collaborations.
NCAS-M advances mission-aligned research and workforce development.
Current Partner Institutions in Blue
Over our four funding cycles, the center partnered with several institutions to help further NOAA’s mission and create a pipeline to enhance its workforce. Our current NCAS-M II partner institutions are in blue below.
Celebrating 25 Years of Supporting NOAA
The EPP Jubilee celebration was held at the EPP Biennial Education & Science Forum in July 2026. Students, alumni, faculty, and NOAA staff – past and present – came together to recognize the program’s important milestone. Our very own NCAS and NCAS-M center alumni and staff were also in attendance to present posters, participate in panels, and take part in the jubilee festivities. Dr. Vernon Morris, the center’s first director, was even recognized as a NOAA EPP Jubilee Trailblazer for his role in helping to establish NCAS in 2001.
Over the years, our NOAA partnership has helped leverage more than $100 million in funding and connected students to 136 NOAA mentors, but what we are most proud of is the over 250 fellows who are contributing across NOAA, academia, and industry. As we look to the future, we remain committed to training and graduating students who are ready to take on the challenges of being a part of NOAA and NOAA-related workforces.
Research Contributions
100+ peer-reviewed publications advancing atmospheric sciences and meteorology.
