The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $147,995 Project Grant under the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) program (CFDA 47.079) to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for the "COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: EAGER: IMPRESS-U: GROUNDWATER RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED DATA EXPLORATION FOR UKRAINE (GRANDE-U)" project.
The project aims to improve understanding of groundwater dynamics and achieve integrated water balance parameterization at fine spatial and temporal scales, particularly in Ukraine where limitations of ground observation networks require more efficient assessment techniques. Key project components include: developing a consolidated spatial database of satellite and in-situ groundwater and surface water observations; creating algorithms to downscale satellite remote sensing data; training AI models to extend water balance parameterization; generating aquifer resilience assessments under different scenarios; and building an internationally-engaged workforce development program to enable innovation infrastructure in Ukraine. This multinational collaborative effort involves researchers from the U.S., Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.