Fostering deeper understanding of the atmosphere and Earth system
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is a nonprofit consortium of more than 100 North American member colleges and universities focused on research and training in the atmospheric and related Earth system sciences. UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research with sponsorship by the National Science Foundation. Through our community programs, UCAR supports and extends the capabilities of our academic consortium. > Print-friendly brochure: About NCAR & UCAR
The National Center for Atmospheric Research provides research, observing and computing facilities, and a variety of services for the atmospheric and related Earth sciences community. more below >
The UCAR Community Programs provide innovative services in support of the consortium's education and research goals. more below >
In the Field (1:37) @UCAR. Enlarge> | Community Modeling (1:40) @UCAR. Enlarge> |
Data Services (1:17) @UCAR. Enlarge> | Science Education (1:27) @UCAR. Enlarge> |
UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on behalf of the National Science Foundation. With guidance from its more than 100 North American member colleges and universities, UCAR also provides a wide range of core programs and services supporting and extending the capabilities of the academic research community. These efforts together address the large-scale challenges associated with integrated research, technological development, and educational advancement across the geoscience enterprise. UCAR also plays a central national role in raising awareness of the value of continued federal investment in the life-saving, economically critical work provided by the geosciences community.
Both UCAR and NCAR are headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with additional operations in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
UCAR's mission is to empower our Member Institutions, our National Center, and our Community Programs by
Founded in 1960, UCAR is a nonprofit consortium of more than 100 North American member colleges and universities, each of which grants degrees in the atmospheric and related sciences, plus a number of international affiliates offering comparable degrees.
Members of the private sector serve on governance boards, collaborate with researchers, contribute funding to specific projects, and participate in technology transfer activities. Through its Government Relations activities, UCAR advocates for strong federal science budgets on behalf of the geosciences community.
You'll find more about UCAR and NCAR in Our History.
UCAR Home | UCAR President's Office
NCAR is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the National Science Foundation and devoted to service, research and education in the atmospheric and related sciences. Significant additional support is provided by other U.S. government agencies, other national governments, and the private sector.
NCAR's mission is
NCAR supports the community of atmospheric and geoscience researchers with:
Our research projects cover a vast array of topics and involve collaborations between NCAR scientists and researchers in the academic, public, and private sectors. Primary areas we investigate include:
NCAR Home | NCAR Director's Office
UCAR's community programs strengthen education, research, and technology in the atmospheric and related sciences through programs and projects that: