AI Insight
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a structural review of the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), with plans to restructure or divest several key research assets. Proposed changes include transferring the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputer to an alternative operator, divesting or transferring two research aircraft currently managed by NCAR, and narrowing the scope of modeling and forecasting activities to focus on seasonal weather prediction, severe storms, and space weather. NSF intends to publish a Dear Colleague Letter and engage with partner agencies, researchers, and stakeholders to gather input on these proposed changes.
Why it matters
NCAR provides foundational infrastructure for atmospheric and space weather research in the United States, and any restructuring could significantly affect the capacity of the scientific community to conduct weather modeling, forecasting research, and related observational studies. Reduced access to supercomputing resources and research aircraft could have downstream effects on climate and weather science capabilities at the national level.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today that the agency is reviewing the structure of the research and observational capabilities operated by the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). NSF remains committed to providing world-class infrastructure for weather modeling, space weather research and forecasting, and other critical functions. To do so, NSF will be engaging with partner agencies, the research community, and other interested parties to solicit feedback for rescoping the functions of the work currently performed by NCAR.
NSF will publish a Dear Colleague Letter that will inform the agency’s follow-on actions. Specifically, NSF will explore options to transfer stewardship of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputer to an appropriate operator; divest of or transfer the two NSF aircraft that NCAR manages and operates; and redefine the scope of modeling and forecasting research and operations to concentrate on needs such as seasonal weather prediction, severe storms, and space weather.