EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Centers

Five men in suits pose side by side in front of large statue of an open hand that appears to be releasing birds.
The directors of the EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Centers. From left to right: Paulinus Chigbu, Ph.D.; Fred Moshary, Ph.D.; Larry Robinson, Ph.D.; Sen Chiao, Ph.D.; and Richard Long, Ph.D. (Image credit: Elvis Efamba/NOAA Office of Education)
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Since the first awards were made in 2001, NOAA EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center institutions have awarded post-secondary degrees to over 2,187 students in NOAA-mission fields. A primary long-term goal of the EPP/MSI is to increase the number of students, particularly from underrepresented communities, who attend NOAA CSC institutions and graduate with degrees that are aligned with the NOAA mission. CSC graduates are a diverse candidate pool with degrees in NOAA-mission sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, natural resources management and policy and are eligible to successfully join the future NOAA workforce.

A group of people in matching blue shirts with CCME logos pose in front of a large, docked vessel.
EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center quarterly highlights and feature story

Each quarter, the EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Centers highlight their accomplishments, and one Center shares a feature story that spotlights a particularly notable event or accomplishment. 

Of the doctoral degrees awarded in the U.S. from 2003-2019, Cooperative Science Center Institutions awarded:

54%

earned by African Americans
in atmospheric sciences.

35%

earned by African Americans 
in marine science.

30%

earned by African Americans
in environmental sciences.

21%

earned by Hispanics
 in atmospheric sciences.

39%

earned by Hispanics
 in marine science.

19%

earned by Hispanics
 in environmental science.

Current Cooperative Science Center awards

There are currently four Cooperative Science Center awards. Each CSC is a consortium of academic institutions led by an MSI. The partners can be MSIs and non-MSIs that have demonstrated education and research performance in NOAA-mission sciences. The centers train students in core NOAA mission fields: Atmospheric sciences and meteorology, earth system sciences and remote sensing technology, coastal and marine ecosystems, and living marine resources.

    A photo of a college campus that looks down on the campus as if the photo was taken from an upper story. The campus has central lawn with decorative geometric walkways with modern fountains at the entrance. Buildings surround the central lawn.

    NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems II (CCME II)

    Lead institution: Florida A&M University

    CCME II partner institutions

    • Bethune-Cookman University

    • California State University Monterey Bay

    • Jackson State University

    • Texas A&M University Corpus Christi

    • University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

    Several buildings in English Gothic style, built with dark stone and white trim. Trees surround the campus in the foreground and a large city sits behind the campus.

    NOAA Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies II (CESSRST II)

    Lead institution: City College of the City University of New York

    CESSRST II partner institutions

    • Hampton University

    • San Diego State University

    • University of Maryland at Baltimore County

    • University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

    • University of Texas at El Paso

    A short brick wall with lettering that reads "University of Maryland Eastern Shore." Behind it, there is a nicely landscaped lawn leading to a college campus.

    NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center II (LMRCSC II)

    Lead institution: University of Maryland Eastern Shore

    LMRCSC II partner institutions

    • Delaware State University

    • Hampton University

    • Oregon State University

    • Savannah State University

    • University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology

    • University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

    NCAS-M II partner institutions

    • Jackson State University
    • Pennsylvania State University
    • San José State University
    • State University of New York at Albany
    • University of Maryland Baltimore County
    • University of Maryland College Park
    • University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
    • University of Texas at El Paso

      The CSC awards support:

      1. increasing the number of post secondary graduates with STEM degrees who are qualified to solve today’s environmental and technological challenges;
      2. creating new opportunities for underrepresented populations to be introduced to career paths within NOAA; and,
      3. working collaboratively with NOAA in areas of science, resource management and social science solutions to real world problems in local communities.