Project Grant 2505340

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $450,000 Project Grant under the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) Federal Grant Program (CFDA 47.079) to the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). The grant, entitled "IRES: AUTONOMOUS MARINE OPERATIONS FOR THE ARCTIC", runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

The project builds an international partnership to advance marine autonomy and train the next generation of engineers. Undergraduate students from the United States will travel to Norway to collaborate with researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The students will participate in hands-on research involving robotic vessels and aerial platforms used to monitor ocean activity, gaining valuable skills in robotics, sensing, and data analysis. The project focuses on two core challenges in autonomous marine operations: developing control and planning algorithms for robotic ships, and exploring coordination strategies for mixed teams of autonomous platforms including surface vessels, underwater vehicles, aerial drones, and satellites. Students will test their algorithms in simulation and experimental facilities, contributing to real-world advances in autonomous systems.