This action provides funding in the amount of $800,000 to mississippi state university, mississippi, to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america

Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded $800,000 to Mississippi State University on July 1, 2026, under the Geographic Programs - Gulf of America Program (CFDA 66.475) to design and demonstrate innovative, mobile biochar reactors capable of converting beached sargassum into usable biochar for living shoreline production and to improve water quality in the Gulf of America.

Deliverables include guidelines for large-scale production of sargassum-derived biochar, a design methodology for living shorelines reinforced with sargassum-derived biochar incorporating design examples for pilot demonstrations, and a comprehensive research report summarizing all findings. The award funds drone imagery documentation of shoreline and watershed changes during the pilot period, a quantified environmental benefits assessment, and a full economic benefits analysis. Intended beneficiaries are residents and communities in coastal Mississippi.

Performance extends through June 30, 2029, with all work performed in Mississippi. The award is a Project Grant assistance type with $800,000 obligated.

A sub-recipient will develop the process of collecting and producing sargassum-derived biochar and will adopt or build portable biochar reactors for onsite biochar production.

Description

This action provides funding in the amount of $800,000 to mississippi state university, mississippi, to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america. Activities to be performed are the design and demonstration of innovative, mobile biochar reactors capable of turning beached sargassum into usable biochar for living shoreline production. Anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include guidelines for large-scale production of sargassum#8209; derived biochar (SDB), a design methodology for living shorelines reinforced with SDB that incorporates design examples for pilot demonstrations, and a comprehensive research report summarizing all findings. Reporting will include drone imagery documenting shoreline and watershed changes during the pilot period. Analytic deliverables will include a quantified environmental benefits assessment and a full economic benefits analysis. Intended beneficiaries include the residents and communities located in coastal mississippi. Activities:-subrecipient:subrecipient activities include developing the process of collecting and producing sargassum-derived biochar along with adopting or building portable biochar reactors for biochar onsite production.outcomes:-