Project Grant 2150163

This $100,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences program (CFDA 47.075) will fund an Research Experiences for Undergraduates site at East Carolina University's Coastal Studies Institute. Over three years, the project will engage undergraduate researchers from diverse backgrounds in team-based research investigating coastal resilience challenges across communities in the face of climate change impacts like sea level rise and extreme weather events. Students will work with faculty mentors at East Carolina University, Clemson University, and the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo to pursue interdisciplinary research projects and training in skills like systems science concepts, data science, communication of science to the public, and virtual collaboration technologies. Professional development activities will prepare students to conduct global change research effectively as interdisciplinary team members. The project aims to conclude with a student symposium and development of outreach materials to engage the public in the research.