Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress.…

The University of South Florida has been awarded a $683,621 research grant by a civilian federal agency for a project titled "Mapping Marine Debris in Global Coastal Oceans" (24-OBB_24-0016). The grant is classified as a non-competed award with no set-aside designation and is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2027, with the award effective January 1, 2025. The work will be performed at USF's Tampa, Florida location and focuses on marine environmental research aligned with the funding agency's broader science program priorities, which emphasize balanced scientific investigation informed by National Academies guidance, administration directives, and congressional direction.

This award supports USF's demonstrated capacity as a major public research institution with extensive experience managing federal research grants across multiple scientific disciplines. The grant fits within the agency's emphasis on developing directorate-wide approaches to applied programs, including Earth science applications and environmental monitoring. USF's established track record in marine scientific services, including previous oceanographic research initiatives, positions it well to execute this project focused on identifying and characterizing marine debris distributions across global coastal waters, which has significant implications for ocean health assessment and environmental stewardship.

Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress. Participate as a key partner and enabler in the agency s exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research of, on, and from the moon, lunar orbit, mars, and beyond. Advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross-disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines develop a directorate-wide, target-user focused approach to applied programs, including earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.