The NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) is led by Howard University, in collaboration with three partners: Jackson State University, the University of Texas at El Paso and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. This Center is part of NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions. A primary NCAS goal is to increase the number of highly qualified, well-trained graduates in the fields of NOAA-related atmospheric sciences for career opportunities with NOAA and other federal agencies. NCAS will help enhance capacity-building efforts through the implementation of a comprehensive academic and research training program, which capitalizes on the strength of the university partners. All partners will contribute to training workshops and professional conferences, shared courses and seminars, outreach activities, student recruitment and mentoring, and will conduct and present NOAA related research.

NCAS research and training goals are to:

• Contribute to improving the accuracy of weather and climate forecast models, particularly in predicting precipitation.
• Produce highly educated and skilled students from underrepresented communities for research and operational careers in weather and climate prediction.

• Participation in the development, validation and application of the Weather Research and Forecast Model.
• Researching the development of new methodologies for integrating observation and modeling for improving weather and climate model prediction.
• Developing an observation field site for student training and complementing existing sites in forming an observation network for model studies, and satellite validation.
• Providing students with experience and training in operational and research aspects of forecast and climate models, application of state of the art/next generation instruments and measurement techniques.