As part of NASA's Earth Science Program, the Modeling, Analysis, and Prediction (MAP) Program seeks to develop an understanding of the Earth as a complete, dynamic system. It does so in order to address key questions that drive the core research efforts of the Earth Science Division within SMD, which include:
Organizationally, the NASA MAP program is part of the Climate Variability and Change Focus Area within the Earth Science Research Program of the Earth Science Division. NASA ESD is part of the Science Mission Directorate.