Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Massachusetts

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is the largest independent oceanographic laboratory in the United States. Founded in 1930 with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the institute grew rapidly during World War II, when it was supported by Navy research. The majority of the institute's support still comes from the federal government. The institute is busy on many fronts, but is perhaps best known for its research vessels and submersibles which are prepared for voyages at its main dock. Other marine labs operate in this crowded scientific village, some of which were established here more than 50 years before WHOI, including the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Marine Biological Laboratory.