Research infrastructure: ship operations for research vessel pelican

The National Science Foundation Division of Ocean Sciences awarded Louisiana Board of Regents a $606,599 cooperative agreement on April 1, 2026 to operate the research vessel Pelican for oceanographic research missions under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050).

The award funds ship operations that enable NSF-supported oceanographic research and educational activities. Work includes conducting oceanographic research missions, operating human-occupied and remotely operated undersea vehicles and sensors, and delivering learning activities for students and the general public through hands-on marine science demonstrations guided by faculty, ship crew, and student instructors. The research vessel operates as a multi-use facility within the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) framework, supporting the Academic Research Fleet.

The period of performance runs from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029, with place of performance at Chauvin, Louisiana. No subawards are planned.

Abstract

This project provides funding for the research pelican is 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.