NOAA Awards More than $2.2 Million to the University of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents to Support Cooperative Institute

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration granted $2,270,109 to the University of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents to fund the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The grant will support the Cooperative Institute, which will conduct collaborative research activities in support of geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite science, satellite ground systems, improved measurements and next generation instruments. CIMSS develops and successfully implements techniques and products for using geostationary weather satellite thermal radiation observations to improve forecasts of severe storms, including tornadoes and hurricanes. CIMSS plays a major role in instrument design and testing, and related software development, for improved space-based measurements of the earth's atmosphere. In addition, CIMSS serves as an international center for research on the interpretation and uses of operational and experimental satellite observations and remote sensing data acquired from aircraft and the ground.

“Funding from this NOAA grant will provide scientists with the data they need to make informed decisions regarding weather systems and processes,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “NOAA and the Bush Administration are working to improve the understanding of our environment and to strengthen cooperative institutes like the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies.”

Each year, NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems in order to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA’s goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 34 years.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit: http://www.noaa.gov.