The National Science Foundation Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation awarded a $1,499,986 Project Grant to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution under the Engineering (47.041) federal grant program. The grant will fund the development of an ecologically curious robot to monitor coral reef biodiversity from March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2025. The robot will autonomously explore coral reef ecosystems and collect data on species populations and interactions to advance understanding of reef health. By developing new technologies for long-term monitoring of remote or hazardous reef environments, this NSF-funded research aims to support improved stewardship and restoration of these vital marine ecosystems.