The Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions aims to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented students who are trained in NOAA-related sciences. Since 2001, the EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center (CSC) institutions and the Undergraduate Scholarship Program have supported more than 2,500 post-secondary degrees in fields that support NOAA's mission. Over the same time period, the Cooperative Science Center institutions awarded a significant percentage of doctoral degrees earned by African American and Hispanic Ph.D.s in atmospheric sciences, marine science, and environmental science in the United States.

EPP/MSI impacts

4,609 students have been supported by EPP/MSI programs.

2,785 post-secondary degrees have been supported by EPP/MSI programs.

294 undergraduate students have been supported by EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program.

287 graduate students have completed NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunities.

Of the doctoral degrees awarded in the U.S. from 2003-2019, Cooperative Science Center Institutions have awarded:

• 54% earned by African Americans in atmospheric science.

• 35% earned by African Americans in marine science.

• 30% earned by African Americans in environmental sciences.

• 39% earned by Hispanics in marine science.

• 21% earned by Hispanics in atmospheric sciences.

• 19% earned by Hispanics in environmental science.