About CORE
CORE is the Washington, DC-based non-profit association representing leading ocean research and education institutions. Since 1994, CORE has established a leadership role on oceanographic issues and the development of marine science policy. CORE is respected as the voice of the ocean community and is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the oceans among government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the general public.
Our mission is to advance ocean research, education and policy by: 1) facilitating ongoing ocean research programs and fostering new ocean research investments by public, private and government institutions; 2) promoting high quality education in the ocean sciences, fostering collaborations between scientists and educators and enhancing public ocean literacy; 3) advocating ocean policy issues by representing the academic and industry ocean research community before Congress, partnering with and advising government agencies, and collaborating with non-governmental organizations; and 4) cultivating and promoting awareness and appreciation of the oceans among government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the general public.
CORE Activities
CORE conducts a variety of public policy, research and educational activities. The following is a brief summary of current CORE efforts.
Public Policy Activities
CORE works with its member institutions to communicate to Congress and the Administration the value and importance of extramural ocean research to our nation’s economic future, national security and quality of life. CORE tracks ocean-related legislation and policy activities and promotes the development of sound marine research policy and legislation. CORE follows the development of the federal ocean research budget and interacts regularly with the Administration and Congress on high priority budget issues. Additional legislative activities bring CORE institutions into discussions of critical marine policy issues and provide real-time legislative news to CORE members. CORE retains lobbying capabilities to directly advocate approved positions.
Research Programs
National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) - In 1997, CORE was awarded the contract to serve as the Program Office for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. NOPP is a multi-agency program enacted by Congress to facilitate partnerships among industry, academia and government. Under the guidance of the National Ocean Research Leadership Council (NORLC), NOPP has supported many cutting-edge research and education projects. NOPP is focused on developing a plan for a U.S. integrated and sustained ocean observing system that would meet national needs, while also serving as the U.S. component of a global ocean observing system. This effort is referred to as Ocean.US. With strong support and leadership from the NOPP federal agency participants, the NORLC and the Ocean Research Advisory Panel, NOPP will continue to increase visibility for ocean issues on the national agenda. For more information, visit www.nopp.org.
Census of Marine Life (CoML) is a global research initiative to assess and explain the changing diversity, distribution and abundance of marine species in the world’s oceans. Related activities integral to this research include the design and implementation of standard databases for marine species in collaboration with other international efforts and the design and implementation of innovative biological sampling techniques for the marine environment. CORE provides a home to the International Secretariat as well as to the coordinating office of the U.S. Program. For more information, visit www.comlsecretariat.org; www.coml.us.
Education Projects
National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®) - The NOSB® involves over 1700 students and teachers from around the nation in an ocean science academic competition. This educational program was developed to stimulate interest in the ocean sciences among high school students and to demonstrate the importance of the oceans in our daily lives. The NOSB® receives financial support from nine federal agencies plus corporate and foundation sponsors. For more information, visit www.nosb.org.
Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) - CORE serves as the central coordinating office for COSEE, an NSF-sponsored program designed to integrate ocean science research into delivery of high-quality education programs in the ocean sciences and promote a deeper public understanding of the oceans and their influence on the quality of life and national prosperity. For more information, visit www.cosee.net.
Ocean Science Educators Retreat (OSER) - CORE organizes OSER for academic/graduate program deans every two years to focus on key ocean sciences issues facing educators at the college and graduate level. In 2000, OSER discussions focused on the current demographics of graduate students, post doctorate students and faculty. Additional areas of concern include the recruitment and retention of minorities and women to the ocean sciences.
Alumni Survey - CORE conducts surveys of ocean sciences and marine policy alumni to gather statistical information on such aspects as levels of career guidance received during graduate school, current rates of employment and career tracks. CORE has published the results gathered from the survey data.
Intern Program - CORE operates an internship program that allows ocean science and marine policy students from member institutions to assist on projects ranging from legislative policy development to studies on ocean sciences and human health. A cost-share stipend agreement between CORE and the member institution allows for up to five four-month internships per year to be accepted into the program.
CORE
1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20005 USA
Tel: (202) 332-0063
Fax: (202) 332-8887
E-mail: core@COREocean.org
CORE Website: http://www.COREocean.org
