Awards were made to Florida A&M University, Howard University, City College of New York and the University of Maryland – Eastern Shore. These institutions partnered with 24 other schools to establish four cooperative science centers. The centers will train students in earth system sciences and remote sensing technology, coastal and marine ecosystems, living marine resources and atmospheric sciences & meteorology – all core science fields for NOAA.

“The excitement and true value of these programs provides students with an opportunity to help NOAA solve real world problems in the realms of earth sciences and environmental intelligence,” said Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, NOAA administrator.

Retired Vice Adm. Manson Brown, deputy NOAA administrator, is in New York today to commemorate the 15-year partnership with participating institutions. He added, “These programs also give NOAA access and exposure to America’s future scientists and technologists as we endeavor to build a workforce that is more diverse and inclusive.”

Grant awards were made through NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI). Since the first grants were made in 2001, NOAA EPP/MSI cooperative science centers have awarded degrees to over 1,600 students who have earned post-secondary degrees in NOAA-mission related fields.

The long-term goal of NOAA's Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions is to increase the number of students, particularly from underrepresented communities, who attend Minority Serving Institutions and graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The grants were announced at the NOAA EPP/MSI 8th Biennial Education and Science Forum held in New York and attended by NOAA senior leaders, U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano of New York, as well as representatives of the lead and partner institutions.

All grant awards were made after a rigorous competitive peer review process by external reviewers from academia and other federal agencies.

FY 2016 NOAA EPP/MSI Center Award Recipients

NOAA Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies
Lead institution – City College of New York.

Partners:

• Hampton University (Virginia)
• University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
• University of Maryland – Baltimore County
• San Diego State University (California)
• University of Texas at El Paso

NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine EcosystemLead institution – Florida A&M University

Partners:

• Bethune-Cookman University (Florida)
• California State University – Monterey Bay
• Jackson State University (Mississippi)
• Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
• University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley

NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science CenterLead institution – University of Maryland – Eastern Shore

Partners:

• Delaware State University
• Hampton University (Virginia)
• Oregon State University
• Savannah State University (Georgia)
• University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
• University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyLead institution – Howard University (Washington, DC)

Partners:

• Jackson State University (Mississippi)
• Pennsylvania State University
• San Jose State University (California)
• State University of New York at Albany
• University of Maryland – Baltimore County
• University of Maryland – College Park
• University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
• University of Texas at El Paso

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our other social media channels.