GoMRI Announces Availability of New Funding for Short-Term Continuing and Emergent Observations and Sampling on Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
– June 7, 2011
Grants Will Support Observations and Sampling in the Gulf of Mexico in July – September 2011
RESTON, VA – The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) Research Board announced today that up to $1.5 million in grants will be available to provide funds for the acquisition of samples and critical observations of effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Request for Proposals (RFP-III) announced today will support sampling during July 1 to September 30, 2011. The RFP-III addresses the urgent need to provide stop-gap or emergency funding to continue observations and sampling and/or to initiate new observations and sampling during the summer months when GoMRI Year 1 funds would be depleted and before funds from RFP-I and RFP-II could be distributed. Sustainability of time series observations is critical to enhance understanding of the Gulf of Mexico system.
The Research Board recognizes the importance of ensuring acquisition of samples and observations throughout the summer. Therefore grants will be made ranging in size from $50,000 to $300,000. Our intent is to make these awards by the end of June. The grants will allow scientists to continue important observations and sampling in the Gulf of Mexico while the Research Board receives and reviews RFP-I and RFP-II longer-term grant applications for research under the five major research themes of the GoMRI, which are described below,” said Dr. Rita R. Colwell, Chairman of the GoMRI Research Board.
