Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of California, Santa Barbara received a $832,871 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) for collaborative research on termite methane emissions. The award, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, supports fundamental research to quantify and understand methane production across termite species in tropical ecosystems. Research activities include field surveys assessing termite populations across savannas and forests in Odzala-Kokoua National Park (Republic of the Congo), laboratory incubation methods measuring species-specific methane production rates, and analysis of gut microorganism composition that influences emission levels. The project will integrate remote sensing data to estimate regional-scale methane emissions and address critical knowledge gaps regarding termites' contribution to atmospheric methane.

Beyond primary research deliverables, the project includes workforce development and science communication components. The award supports training for early-career scientists and implements education and outreach programs targeting K-12 students and the general public through field activities, educational curricula, and museum programming in the United States and internationally. These activities aim to enhance public understanding of insect ecology and environmental impacts, advancing broader participation in biological sciences while strengthening the nation's scientific enterprise through fundamental research on ecosystem processes and climate-relevant biological systems.