UCAR was established in 1959 by faculty from 14 leading universities to support and nourish the atmospheric sciences.
They were motivated by a newly recognized need for pooled observational and computational facilities and a strong research staff, which together would allow the academic community to carry out complex, long-term scientific programs beyond the reach of individual universities.
[2] This group's first major action, in partnership with the National Science Foundation, was to establish NCAR.
Since then, UCAR has managed NCAR on behalf of NSF to address pressing scientific and societal needs involving the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans, land, and Sun—what is now called Earth system science.
UCAR's role in supporting and complementing the work of academia has grown to include new research, service, and education efforts, including The organization hosts numerous workshops, community meetings, and opportunities for collaboration throughout the year.