The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded a grant of nearly $3 million to the University. Twenty-two different researchers at the University will receive funds to study various aspects of the marine sciences.
Marilyn Barrett-O’Leary, communications coordinator for the Office of Sea Grant Development, said her office will receive the money from NOAA and then dispense it among 22 University researchers.
“Sea Grant Development is a state and locally supported entity that directly recruits research on the coastal and marine environment,” O’Leary said.
According to NOAA, the projects will cover a variety of research work, including aquaculture technology, coastal fisheries, seafood technology, environmental studies and coastal engineering.
In addition, the grant will fund administration and maintenance of the programs, and an extension and education program for coastal and marine issues.
O’Leary said the funding often helps researchers begin their work and also deliver their findings to others once their research is completed.
Russell Chapman, dean of the School of the Coast and Environment, said external grants, such as the one provided by NOAA, are “absolutely essential” for University research.
For example, Chapman said the school has a $4.6 million yearly operating budget from the University, but last year received $11.4 million in outside grants and contracts.
The University is one of the few in the country to hold both land grant and sea grant status and brings in more than $120 million each year in outside research grants and contracts.
NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants each year for the study of environmental systems.