National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) | NSU Ocean | Nova Southeastern University

National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) | NSU Ocean | Nova Southeastern University
National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI)
NSU Ocean
institutes
NCRI
The National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI), based at Nova Southeastern University, was
created by congressional mandate in 1998 and refunded in 2023 with the mission of
ensuring the future of the world’s coral reefs and oceans for the benefit of humanity
and nature. NCRI is dedicated to advancing coral reef research through collaboration
and coordination, focusing on scientific partnerships and knowledge-sharing to address
coral reef challenges. This multidisciplinary group of coral reef researchers has
expertise from ecology to biology, genetics, and social science. NCRI conducts research
to better understand and address the challenges facing the world’s coral reefs and
inform best management practices.
NSU Halmos College Research Labs
NSU’s NCRI Named Atlantic Coral Reef Research Hub
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has designated Nova Southeastern
University’s National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) as the leader in coral reef research
and restoration for the Atlantic, guaranteeing significant federal funding. NOAA selected
NSU through a competitive process among leading research institutions across the Atlantic
basin. It chose two institutes in the nation to coordinate reef research and cited
the NCRI’s record in research, conservation, and scientific leadership.
Learn More About the NOAA Designation
NCRI Research
Coral reefs are among the largest, most beautiful living structures on Earth. These
diverse ecosystems support a vast array of organisms that depend on coral reefs for
habitat, food and shelter. They provide physical barriers to coastal erosion and protection
from storm waves and tsunamis. Reefs are also an important economic resource as well
as homes for commercially and recreationally important species of fish and a recreational
locale for diving and tourism activities.
NCRI aims to conserve and restore the condition of coral reef ecosystems
challenged by natural and human-accelerated changes. NCRI does this by conducting
research that supports science-based management, sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems,
and innovative solutions that benefit local communities and the nation.
The Dynamics of Modern Reefs
Developed in 2025, NCRI operates under a Science Plan that serves as a guiding framework
for NCRI’s research initiatives. Drawing on the diverse expertise of NCRI’s coral
reef scientists and partners, the plan outlines a unified theme -
Dynamics of Modern Reefs
- and defines the key scientific questions that shape NCRI’s research.
NCRI scientists work to understand how shifts in community composition have altered
coral reef ecosystems and the resulting changes to ecological function, services,
stability, and persistence. Coral reefs worldwide are undergoing unprecedented reconfiguration
driven by local and global stressors, threatening critical ecosystem services relied
upon by hundreds of millions of people. Despite the severity of these impacts, the
dynamics of these modern reefs remain poorly understood. By working to understand
these patterns and their cascading effects, NCRI supports effective conservation,
management, and restoration strategies.
Supporting Natural Resource Management
NCRI's management-oriented research is designed to provide solid information and research
products designed to help understand, manage and conserve coral reef ecosystems for
generations to come. In addition to research, NCRI strengthens natural resource management
through capacity-building initiatives like the Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef
Management Fellowship Program and by providing coordination and facilitation services
that help bridge the gap between science and decision-making.
Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship
NCRI has coordinated the Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship
for ten years, a partnership between NCRI, NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program,
the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs, and the U.S. Coral Reef
All Islands Committee.
The program recruits Coral Reef Management Fellows for the seven U.S. coral reef jurisdictions
to address current capacity gaps and to build longer-term capacity in these locations.
This is done by placing highly qualified individuals whose education and work experience
meet each jurisdiction’s specific coral reef management needs. The program’s goal
is to develop a thriving collaborative fellowship program that builds excellent next-generation
leaders and capacity for effective local coral reef ecosystem management.
This collaboration and commitment to the next generation is exemplified through the
success of the Fellowship, with 85% of the Coral Fellows remaining in management or
research fields upon completion of the Fellowship.
Learn More and Apply for the Fellowship
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Contact NCRI
National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI)
Nova Southeastern University
8000 North Ocean Drive
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 262-3504
NCRI@nova.edu