Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Integrative Activities awarded $582,816 to the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) on July 1, 2026, for a five-year CAREER grant (completion date: June 30, 2031). The project delivers fundamental research products focused on quantifying wind-driven wave tearing and its impacts on hurricane air-sea drag. Primary deliverables include laboratory experimental data on wave tearing onset and progression under hurricane-force wind conditions, obtained through high-speed shadow imaging techniques at the University of Miami SUSTAIN (Surge Structure Atmosphere Interaction) Laboratory; a parametric model of wave tearing for integration into spectral wave forecasting models; and coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean simulation results demonstrating wave tearing impacts on tropical cyclone evolution. These research products are designed to enhance hurricane forecast accuracy and inform coastal risk assessment and emergency preparedness.

Additionally, the award supports development of an interactive fluid mechanics textbook for atmospheric and ocean scientists, expanding educational resources in the geosciences field. The research is conducted at the University of Miami's facility in South Miami, Florida, with the Tritium Laboratory serving as a subcontractor providing specialized analytical support services. The project directly supports NSF's mission to advance fundamental knowledge of Earth system processes and contributes to improved forecasting capabilities with direct implications for public safety, infrastructure protection, and economic resilience in coastal U.S. communities.