Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

Nexuma LLC received $1.149M in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (CFDA 47.084) to develop a microbially-driven underground barrier technology for coastal flood mitigation. The cooperative agreement, awarded July 1, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2028, supports the advancement of nature-based technology that uses controlled carbonate mineral formation to reinforce porous limestone in at-risk coastal regions. The primary deliverable involves translating laboratory-validated biological and chemical processes into controlled large-scale testing and field demonstrations designed to create low-permeability subsurface barriers that restrict underground water movement, enhance seawall resilience, and reduce flooding, saltwater intrusion, and infrastructure failure in coastal communities such as Florida.

This research addresses a critical technical challenge: achieving the scale, uniformity, and durability required for subsurface barriers within heterogeneous coastal geology subject to high permeability and variable groundwater conditions. Upon successful completion, the project will establish a novel approach to stabilize critical infrastructure while advancing national economic security, resource conservation, and public safety through the commercialization of scientific innovation that simultaneously protects natural resources and reduces long-term maintenance costs.