Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Leaders in Science **About NOAA Research** **NOAA Research Mission** Our Mission is to conduct research to understand and predict the Earth system; develop technology to improve NOAA science, service, and stewardship; and transition the results so they help us meet the [challenges faced by society.](https://research.noaa.gov/societal_challenges/) **Research Foundations** Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)—or “NOAA Research”—provides the research foundation for understanding the complex systems that support our planet. Working in partnership with other organizational units of the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](http://www.noaa.gov/), a bureau of the [Department of Commerce](http://www.commerce.gov/), NOAA Research enables better forecasts, earlier warnings for natural disasters, and a greater understanding of the Earth. Our role is to provide unbiased science to better manage the environment, nationally, and globally. Visit the OAR Strategy and Budget page to learn more. **What We Do** NOAA and the nation depend on the cutting-edge science provided by its research programs. NOAA Research builds much of the foundation for the modernization of the National Weather Service. The research programs provide the science necessary to help NOAA achieve its goals to: - Serve society’s needs for weather and water information; - Lead the effort to understand and monitor climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond; - Work to protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management; and - Support the Nation’s commerce with information for safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation. Working under the broad themes of Climate, Weather and Air Quality, and Ocean and Coastal Resources, NOAA scientists study the ocean’s depths and the highest reaches of space to better understand our environment. NOAA’s long-term commitment to the highest quality research includes engaging in-house and extramural talent to: - Continue to conduct experiments to understand natural processes (physical, geochemical, ecological); - Build predictive models for use in weather, air quality, climate, solar, ocean, emergency management, and coastal assessments and predictions; - Develop and deploy new observing technologies to provide data to support predictive models and to document natural variability; - Develop new analytical and forecast tools to improve weather services; - Use new information technology to share information with other federal and academic scientists; and - Prepare scientific assessments and information products to enhance public education and guide governmental action. Research plans and products are developed in partnership with academia and other federal agencies, and are peer-reviewed and widely distributed. A high premium is placed on external collaboration both domestically and internationally. In addition, personnel management practices of hiring, promotion, and awards are based on demonstrable capability through internal and external peer assessment. Peer review, collaboration, and partnerships ensure that NOAA’s research is of the highest quality and remains focused on critical issues. **Research Matters** NOAA is a world leader in environmental science today and is well positioned and organized to provide the sound scientific research policy-makers will always need. However, most of the environmental questions our nation and the world face are not easily answered. A strong NOAA is necessary to tackle the complex issues that only advanced scientific knowledge is able to adequately address. NOAA Research answers the call.