The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) nurtures careers of excellence and leadership in science and technology for academically talented high school and college students. Co-founded in 1983 by the late Admiral Hyman G. Rickover and Joann DiGennaro, President of the Center for Excellence in Education, the Center's programs help keep the United States competitive in science and technology, and further international understanding among the future leaders of the world. CEE challenges students and assists them on a long-term basis to become the creators, inventors, scientists and leaders of the 21st century.
As a private nonprofit organization, CEE is not subject to federal and state mandates or political pressures.
All CEE programs are open to students and teachers regardless of race, color, creed, or economic background; the only criterion is academic excellence. CEE's programs - the Research Science Institute and the USA Biology Olympiad - are offered cost-free to students competitively selected for participation.
To date, CEE has received funds from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Science Foundation, the United States Information Agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Security Agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Energy. Private individuals and corporations, however, provide most of CEE's funding.