About the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research

The Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research (CILER) was originally established in 1989, with the objective of fostering University and NOAA partnerships in the Great Lakes region. As a Center of Excellence at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan, CILER brings together this expertise in Great Lakes science and outreach. The current CILER Cooperative Agreement with NOAA went into effect in July of 2007. This agreement was awarded to the University of Michigan and nine partner universities (Michigan State University, University of Toledo, Grand Valley State University, University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ohio State University, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and Pennsylvania State University). Since this agreement has been in effect, CILER has supported 86 projects that total over $13.6 million in research funding. From April, 2010 - March, 2011, CILER administered 16 additional CI project grants totaling $6 million. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) resulted in a significant increase in proposal submissions both to NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for federal and non-federal monies. CILER provided program support to projects funded through NOAA totaling approximately $4 million for 2010-2011. Additionally, GLRI grants were awarded competitively through EPA to non-federal partners in the amount of $1.2 million.

 

CILER's Vision

To enhance the quality of the Great Lakes and its related ecosystem services, through a partnership of universities, NOAA scientists, and other stakeholders.

 

CILER's Mission

  • Translate research into productive outcomes through outreach and education.
  • Advance our understanding of, and ability to predict, complex ecosystem processes, responses, and dynamics.
  • Facilitate productive interactions between scientists in the Great Lakes basin, with a primary focus on NOAA partnerships.
  • Identify and characterize emerging areas of concern for the Great Lakes ecosystem, with applications to all coastal ecosystems.
  • Provide a forum for better linking ecosystem responses, sustainable ecosystem services, and decision-making.

CILER's Objectives

  • Facilitate the translation of research into more effective decision-making and public education.
  • Advance the science of Great Lakes ecosystem forecasting by integrating physical, chemical, and biological components to allow for more effective responses and management of invasive species, climate change, habitat alteration, and contaminants.
  • Support NOAA's mission and strategic goals.
  • Facilitate research in the Great Lakes region.
  • Mentor and train the next generation of scientists through research and educational opportunities.

Executive Board

The Executive Board makes recommendations concerning CILER’s strategic plan, administration, budget, future cooperative agreements, and Management Council members.

 

Members include:


Al Powell - Director, NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research

Russell Callender - Acting Director, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Marie Lynn Miranda - Dean, School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), University of Michigan

Mark Banaszak-Holl - Associate Vice-President for Research, University of Michigan

Marie Colton - Director, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, NOAA (Ex-Officio)

Allen Burton - Director, Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research, SNRE, University of Michigan (Ex-Officio)

 

Management Council

The Management Council provides reviews and recommendations of the scientific direction of CILER and facilitates opportunities for collaboration.  They select the CILER Postdoctoral Fellow awards annually.  It is comprised of directors of the Great Lakes Sea Grant programs, NOAA senior scientists and university faculty from our university consortium.

 

Council of Fellows

This council includes approximately 30 Great Lakes researchers with reputable research programs who are willing to mentor postdoctoral fellows every 1 to 2 years.  They also facilitate research collaboration opportunities across the CILER consortia.

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