Inter-agency collaborations: federal agencies work with colleges and universities to offer interdisciplinary training in remote sensing, ocean and marine science

A supportive, thriving intellectual climate is a prerequisite to innovation and progress in engineering and in limnological, marine, oceanic and atmospheric fields. These challenging fields require problem solving that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries. Research shows that highly specialized undergraduate and graduate training programs often lack the broad fundamental skills necessary for multidisciplinary investigation. This is especially true for specialists in the science and management of fisheries ecosystems. This paper documents the results of the interagency collaboration to attract and retain students in engineering and limnological, ocean, marine and atmospheric-related science through postdoctoral levels, and to retrain individuals with experience in other disciplines for careers in these fields.