Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Integrative Activities awarded $600,203 to the University of Florida Division of Sponsored Research on July 15, 2026, through the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to support a five-year CAREER project investigating coastal flood hazard duration across U.S. coastlines. The research will produce scientific characterization of spatiotemporal patterns in flood duration by integrating observational analyses from high-frequency tide gauge data (minimum 30-year records) with predictive models that isolate the contributions of tides, storm surge, sea level anomalies, and other oceanographic processes. Primary deliverables include research findings on flood duration drivers and probability forecasting models generated through stochastic simulations, which will be disseminated to inform flood risk assessment methodologies, infrastructure design standards, and emergency management planning.

In addition to core research products, the award funds education and workforce development activities designed to train graduate and undergraduate students in coastal hazard science and to develop middle school lesson plans that increase public awareness of coastal flooding hazards. The project addresses a critical gap in coastal flood risk assessment by shifting focus from peak flood magnitude to flood persistence—the duration floodwaters remain above damaging thresholds—with the goal of improving national preparedness for one of the United States' most pressing coastal hazards. The award extends through June 30, 2031.