The EPP/MSI is a Federal STEM education and NOAA mission future workforce program that focuses on:

  • supporting the training and graduation of students and increasing participation of students from traditionally underrepresented minority communities;
  • developing eligible candidates in support of a diverse future workforce for NOAA and NOAA mission-related enterprises; and,
  • post-secondary education and research capacity development in atmospheric, oceanic, and environmental sciences and remote sensing technology at MSIs supported through competitive awards.
Academic partnerships
24
partner institutions
work with NOAA to train students and align research priorities in NOAA sciences.
Training and research
4,609
students
have been supported by EPP/MSI programs since 2001.
Future workforce
2,785
post-secondary degrees
have been awarded to students supported by EPP/MSI programs since 2001.

Program Components

Cooperative Science Centers (CSCs)

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)

The four NOAA CSCs advance education and collaborative research, as well as support students and build capacity in NOAA-mission sciences at Minority Serving Institutions. Each CSC is led by a Minority Serving Institution and partnered with a NOAA line office. Together, the CSCs include 24 university campuses.

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. 

EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP)

Ten young adults in business casual clothing pose outside.
The 2022 class of EPP/MSI scholars during their scholarship orientation. From left to right, Christian Schnell, Courtney White, Martin Gonzalez, Alison Novara, Ingrid Martinson, Kiah Matthews, Michaela Wong, Hailey Poole, Richarde Graham II, and Alexandria Tennant. (Elvis Efamba/Office of Education)
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This scholarship program increases the number of students, particularly from underrepresented minority communities, who attend Minority Serving Institutions and graduate with degrees in fields integral to NOAA's mission.

  • Provides NOAA internships and one-on-one mentoring.
  • Each scholar receives up to $45,000 for two academic years to support tuition and fees, attend a conference where oral or poster results are presented and other allowable expenses.

NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunities (NERTO)

Sophia, Marcus, and Imani stand around a large piece of equipment in a lab. All three are focused on an instrument that Marcus appears to be inserting into the equipment. Imani holds another different instrument, which looks like it may have buttons. All three wear lab safety glasses and a mask of the kind that is used to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
EPP/MSI Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center graduate students Marcus Teat and Imani Wilburn work with Sophia Bickerton, a 2021 Hollings scholar, to analyze sea turtle stomach contents using Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. From left to right: Sophia, Marcus, and Imani. (Veronica Lucchese)
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NERTO increases the number of EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center-supported students who participate in meaningful NOAA mission-aligned science, technology, engineering, mathematics, policy, natural resource management, and social science research/training at NOAA facilities and earn NOAA mission-aligned postsecondary degrees.

 

Archived Programs

Andrea Gomez holding two flasks under a blue light
EPP/MSI student Andrea Gomez in the lab. (NOAA)
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Information about the Graduate Research and Training Scholarship Program, the Graduate Sciences Program, and the Environmental Entrepreneurship Program.