Supporting oceanographic research missions aboard the research vessel pelican

The National Science Foundation Division of Ocean Sciences awarded Louisiana Board of Regents a cooperative agreement of $118,800 on June 15, 2026, to support oceanographic research missions aboard the Research Vessel Pelican.

The award funds vessel operations and oceanographic research conducted through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) framework. The Research Vessel Pelican serves as a multi-use facility for the Academic Research Fleet, enabling scientists and students to conduct oceanographic research using state-of-the-art instrumentation, human-occupied and remotely operated undersea vehicles, and autonomous sensors. The funding also supports learning activities for students and the general public, including hands-on demonstrations of marine science research guided by faculty, ship crew members, and student researchers aboard the vessel.

Louisiana Board of Regents acts as the fiscal agent and prime recipient, coordinating the funding with public higher education institutions across Louisiana. The award carries no planned sub-recipients.

Period of performance runs from June 15, 2026, through May 31, 2029. Place of performance is Chauvin, Louisiana. The award falls under the NSF Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050), which supports basic research to strengthen the national scientific enterprise through expanded knowledge of the integrated Earth system in atmospheric, earth, and ocean sciences.

Abstract

This project provides funding for the research vessel pelican to conduct oceanographic research missions supported by the national science foundation. The oceanographic research vessels of the academic research fleet (ARF), operated by the academic institutions within the university-national oceanographic laboratory system (unols) framework are multi-use facilities used to expand knowledge of the ocean environment. The surface work of these ships is complemented by human-occupied, remotely operated, and autonomous undersea vehicles and sensors that provide vital tools to understand the oceans and their resources. These seagoing research and educational facilities enable scientists and students to study natural phenomena and train future scientists while on board state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessels utilizing high-quality instrumentation. The ship operators will also conduct learning activities for students and the general public including hands-on demonstrations of marine science research guided by faculty, students, and ship crew members. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.