The Office of Education is a staff office in NOAA headquarters that runs several grant and scholarship programs. There are many other NOAA offices and programs that offer educational resources and opportunities. In addition to running its own programs, the Office of Education coordinates education across NOAA through the NOAA Education Council. The office was established in 2005.
Undergraduate scholarships
Our student scholarship programs provide opportunities for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in STEM while pursuing research and educational training in NOAA-mission sciences. The following programs share a common application (open September through January), and students who are eligible are encouraged to apply to both. Learn more about our undergraduate scholarships.
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
The Hollings Scholarship provides successful applicants with awards that include academic assistance of up to $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time, paid summer internship at any NOAA facility nationwide, with travel expenses included. Scholars also receive support to present their research at up to two national conferences.
José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship provides awards of up to $9,500 per year for two years of undergraduate study to rising juniors at Minority Serving Institutions who are majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields that directly support NOAA's mission. EPP/MSI Scholars conduct research at NOAA facilities during two 10-week, full-time paid summer internships. Scholars also receive support to present their research at up to two national conferences.
Grants
The Office of Education supports formal, informal, and non-formal education projects and programs through competitively awarded grants and cooperative agreements to a variety of educational institutions and organizations in the United States.
Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET)
NOAA's B-WET program funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs).
Environmental Literacy Program
NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program provides grants and in-kind support for programs that educate and inspire people to use Earth systems science to improve ecosystem stewardship and increase resilience to environmental hazards.
José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) Cooperative Science Centers
The four NOAA CSCs advance education and collaborative research, as well as support students and build capacity in NOAA-mission sciences at Minority Serving Institutions. Each CSC is led by a Minority Serving Institution and partnered with a NOAA line office. Together, the CSCs include 24 university campuses.
Partnerships
The Office of Education manages partnerships that advance NOAA’s mission and draw on the assets of the agency.
Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) partnerships
The Bay Watershed Education and Training program engages in strategic partnerships.
- U.S. Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Chesapeake Bay Program offsite link
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance offsite link
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative offsite link
- NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program
Environmental Literacy Program partnerships
The Environmental Literacy Program invests in partnerships with organizations.
- AMS DataStreme offsite link
- Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers network
- Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) offsite link
- Exploratorium offsite link
- The GLOBE Program
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl offsite link
- The National Network for Ocean and Climate Change (NNOCCI) offsite link
- Ocean Discovery Institute offsite link
- Science On a Sphere Users Collaborative Network
eeBLUE offsite link
eeBLUE is a five-year partnership between NOAA Office of Education and NAAEE to help create a more environmentally literate society that has the knowledge, skills, and motivation to conserve our natural resources and build more resilient communities across the country. Partnership activities strengthen professional networks, support high-quality STEM education, and provide education and outreach for educators and other audiences.
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
NOAA's 'Taking the Pulse of the Planet' Award recognizes outstanding student projects in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences.
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an academic competition for students in grades K-12. NOAA has teamed up with Science Olympiad to provide in-depth and up-to-date resources for several events. NOAA employees also assist in supervising events at competitions and offering workshops for coaches.
Coordination
NOAA takes an “all hands on deck” approach to education. As a result, many different offices across NOAA have a role to play in supporting NOAA’s mission through education. NOAA also works with a wide variety of external partners. The Office of Education represents and coordinates education to build capacity and collaborate both within the agency and with our external stakeholders.
Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers
The Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers (CELC) network is a consortium of 25 aquariums and marine science education centers located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico coordinated by NOAA's Office of Education.
NOAA Education Council
The Office of Education chairs the NOAA Education Council. NOAA educators from offices across the agency come together in the Council to collaborate, share ideas, and continually improve NOAA Education.
Outreach and communication
The Education Outreach Center promotes environmental literacy and increased awareness of NOAA through outreach event guidance, planning, and material support. The center provides educational materials from across NOAA lines and programs in support of agency conferences and community outreach events through requests from formal and informal educators, students, researchers, emergency services personnel, and NOAA employees.
Science On a Sphere Users Collaborative Network
The Science On a Sphere Users Collaborative Network (SOS Network) is composed of institutions who use Science On a Sphere® in an educational setting. It serves as a forum for sharing information on the creation of new content, technical improvements, and evaluations.
Science On a Sphere in Silver Spring
NOAA's Science On a Sphere® at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, is an excellent venue for public outreach. It also gives NOAA staff an opportunity to develop, explore, and showcase their work on an animated global display. Find out how you can reserve or visit the Sphere.