University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

More than half a century ago, atmospheric scientists from 14 universities came together with a common vision: to create an organization where they could share resources and build collaborations to transform our understanding of weather, water, climate, and the Sun.

These visionaries recognized the need for community observational and computational facilities and a world-class research staff, which together would allow the community to carry out complex, long-term scientific programs beyond the reach of individual universities.

In 1960, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research was born. In partnership with the National Science Foundation, UCAR established the National Center for Atmospheric Research as a federally funded research and development center.

Since our founding, we’ve grown, but our goals haven’t changed. Now with more than 100 member colleges and universities across North America, we still strive to give researchers studying the Earth system the tools and support they need to take their science to the next level, for the benefit of society.

Whether you're an atmospheric scientist seeking to help solve the riddles of our complex universe, a computing guru hungry for greater challenges, an administrative support person yearning to contribute your experience, or you're just starting out on your career path, we think you'll like what you find at NCAR and UCAR.

Working for NCAR and UCAR means contributing your skills and expertise to worthwhile projects and challenging yourself to learn and grow professionally. It also means supporting our scientific mission, forged more than a half century ago: science in service to society.

NCAR and UCAR researchers are recognized nationally and internally for distinguished achievement in atmospheric and Earth system science.

Here are a few examples:

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2007
The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore. Scores of scientists at NCAR contributed to the IPCC effort, serving as authors or reviewers for the four assessment reports issued between 1990 and the 2007 prize, and several NCAR scientists played leadership roles. Computational and administrative staff at NCAR and UCAR provided considerable technical and logistical support to these efforts. These staff contributions to the ongoing work of the IPCC continue.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE
17 fellows
1 president of the AAAS

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS
1 National Medal of Science
1 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring

and many more!
*Updated January 2019