-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 S9K8MGbH9lHlXCF6VW6p1DXY7XEoWtcfpD0TaqHdor3YvwZQMQBd4uVlV5CtSOMO
 3wWu9zBNfzxDfHQ5gqdx3g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001189642-07-000156.txt : 20070327
<SEC-HEADER>0001189642-07-000156.hdr.sgml : 20070327
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070327113942
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001189642-07-000156
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070327
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070327
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070327

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001385763
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 WEST WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		312-917-8146

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 WEST WACKER DRIVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Fernholz E Robert
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001393824

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-22003
		FILM NUMBER:		07720249

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		561-775-1100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2401 PGA BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			PALM BEACH GARDENS
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33410
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>fer280.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-03-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001385763</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JCE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001393824</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fernholz E Robert</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2401 PGA BLVD, SUITE 100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>C/O INTECH</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALM BEACH GARDENS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33410</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Portfolio Manager</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Jessica R. Droeger, Signed under POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-03-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
