The Community Earth System Model is developed in collaboration with colleagues in the research community. CESM provides state-of-the-art computer simulations of the Earth System.

NSF NCAR's first model of the atmosphere, was released in 1983 and made freely available to the research community. Land surface, ocean, and sea ice models were incorporated in the mid-1990s, and working groups formed soon after to address additional components of the Earth system. This partnership with scientists in academia and at other research labs has assured steady improvement and expansion of capabilities in the decades since.