University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Encyclopedia
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is a nonprofit consortium of more than 75 universities offering Ph.D.s in the atmospheric and related sciences. UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research
(NCAR) and provides additional services to strengthen and support research and education through its community programs. Its headquarters, in Boulder
, Colorado
, include NCAR's Mesa Laboratory
, designed by I.M. Pei.
UCAR was established in 1959 by faculty from 14 leading universities to support and nourish the atmospheric sciences. They were motivated by a newly recognized need for pooled observational and computational facilities and a strong research staff, which together would allow the academic community to carry out complex, long-term scientific programs beyond the reach of individual universities.
This group’s first major action, in partnership with the National Science Foundation
, was to establish NCAR. Since then, UCAR has managed NCAR on behalf of NSF to address pressing scientific and societal needs involving the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans, land, and Sun—what is now called Earth system science.
The organization hosts numerous workshops, community meetings, and opportunities for collaboration throughout the year.
UCAR and NCAR are headquartered in Boulder, Colorado
, spread across four campuses. Ancillary activities take place in Washington, D.C., and in about 15 other states.
Walter Orr Roberts
was UCAR’s first president. Richard Anthes has been president of the organization since 1988.
In addition to NSF sponsorship, funding includes grants from and contracts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), the Department of Defense
(DOD), Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Department of Energy
(DOE), Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), and other agencies and organizations.
National Center for Atmospheric Research
The National Center for Atmospheric Research has multiple facilities, including the I. M. Pei-designed Mesa Laboratory headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. NCAR is managed by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and sponsored by the National Science Foundation...
(NCAR) and provides additional services to strengthen and support research and education through its community programs. Its headquarters, in Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, include NCAR's Mesa Laboratory
Mesa Laboratory
The Mesa Laboratory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is a research center located in Boulder, Colorado. The building complex was designed by modernist architect I. M. Pei in 1961 as his first project outside of city building design. It has been noted for its Anasazi-inspired...
, designed by I.M. Pei.
UCAR was established in 1959 by faculty from 14 leading universities to support and nourish the atmospheric sciences. They were motivated by a newly recognized need for pooled observational and computational facilities and a strong research staff, which together would allow the academic community to carry out complex, long-term scientific programs beyond the reach of individual universities.
This group’s first major action, in partnership with the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, was to establish NCAR. Since then, UCAR has managed NCAR on behalf of NSF to address pressing scientific and societal needs involving the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans, land, and Sun—what is now called Earth system science.
Community Programs
UCAR’s role in supporting and complementing the work of academia has grown to include new research, service, and education efforts, including- COMET Program - offers professional training on site and online in meteorology, weather hazards, hydrology, oceanography, emergency management, and environmental science
- COSMIC Program - supports satellite and ground-based observations and research using GPS technology for meteorology, climate, and ionospheric studies
- GLOBE ProgramGLOBE ProgramThe GLOBE Program is a worldwide hands-on, primary- and secondary-school-based science and education program focusing on the environment, now active in 111 countries world-wide. It works to promote the teaching and learning of science, enhance environmental literacy and stewardship, and promote...
- provides hands-on, school-based learning and collaboration with a global network of students, scientists, and educators
- Joint Office for Science Support - supports community research, conference, and field projects
- National Science Digital Library Resource Center and Digital Learning Sciences - support and sustain community digital education projects
- Unidata Program - provides streaming observational data to university classrooms and researchers around the world
- Visiting Scientist Programs - places postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists at partner institutions
The organization hosts numerous workshops, community meetings, and opportunities for collaboration throughout the year.
Governance and Funding
As of 2011, UCAR comprises 76 member universities, 25 academic affiliates, and 52 international affiliates. The organization has a total of 1,560 staff, including 1,008 at NCAR and 278 engaged in community programs. Total expenditures for fiscal year 2009 (October 2008–September 2009) were approximately $210 million.UCAR and NCAR are headquartered in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, spread across four campuses. Ancillary activities take place in Washington, D.C., and in about 15 other states.
Walter Orr Roberts
Walter Orr Roberts
Walter Orr Roberts was an American astronomer and atmospheric physicist. He received his doctorate in astronomy from Harvard University in 1943. He taught online for the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute in the mid-1980s, and also published an online weekly column entitled "Provocations"...
was UCAR’s first president. Richard Anthes has been president of the organization since 1988.
In addition to NSF sponsorship, funding includes grants from and contracts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
(NOAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
(NASA), the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DOD), Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA), Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
(DOE), Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA), and other agencies and organizations.