This IRA topic area 1 proposal presents the gcoos strategy to enhance and expand regional association equitable data service delivery to those communities in need of gulf of mexico ecosystem-wide…

This Cooperative Agreement award, totaling $4,885,000, was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Federal Grant Program (CFDA 11.012). The award supports the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) in enhancing and expanding its regional association's equitable data service delivery to underserved coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico. The project aims to leverage GCOOS's existing infrastructure, activities, funding, and partnerships to invest in observation networks, asset modernization, and capacity-building initiatives that build coastal resilience. Key goals include recapitalizing GCOOS infrastructure, providing equitable data services, expanding partnerships, and developing inclusive outreach strategies. The award runs from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029 and is being implemented by Texas A&M University, a prominent research institution with extensive federal grant and contract experience.

This IRA topic area 1 proposal presents the gcoos strategy to enhance and expand regional association equitable data service delivery to those communities in need of gulf of mexico ecosystem-wide coastal resilience. This project will leverage existing RA infrastructure, activities, funding, and partnerships in current and new investments throughout the gulf region. The proposal includes a portfolio of projects that supports unfunded projects, existing networks in need of operations and maintenance (o & m), assets that complement and fill gaps of observation in existing networks, new asset networks, enhance the RA own management, and its technical capacity to provide equitable data service delivery that address coastal resilience. The overall goal of this proposal is ?to continue to invest in the development of ocean observation networks that build and sustain coastal resilience of underserved communities, economies and ecosystems in the gulf of mexico large marine ecosystem.? Additionally, the proposal includes five specific goals that serve the needs of communities with the intent of recapitalizing and modernizing the gcoos infrastructure, provide equitable data service that builds coastal resilience, expand partnerships and communities of practice, and develop an inclusive outreach strategy to connect with existing and new stakeholders of RA resources.