The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) is located for more than three decades at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS), University of Miami. CIMAS serves as a mechanism to bring together the research capabilities of nine Partner Universities(FAU, FIU, FSU, Nova, UF, UM/RSMAS, UPRM, USF and USVI in a Center of Excellence focused upon improved understanding of the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere in support of NOAA’s mission requirements. In 2010 CIMAS was restructured to keep pace with changes in scientific and societal priorities as well as changes in both the NOAA and university regional context. CIMAS research themes include: (1) Climate Research and Impact (2) Tropical Weather (3) Sustained Ocean and Coastal Observations (4) Ocean Modeling (5) Ecosystem Modeling and Forecasting (6) Ecosystem Management and (7) Protection and Restoration of Resources. Research is conducted primarily but not exclusively in collaboration with The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (NOAA/AOML), the National Marine Fisheries Service/Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/SEFSC) and the National Weather Service/National Hurricane Center (NWS/NHC), with funding provided by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), NMFS, NWS, National Ocean Service (NOS) and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). CIMAS also receives substantial private and non-NOAA federal funding.
CIMAS and NOAA scientists collaboratively investigate Hurricane Earl.