Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences awarded $391,523 to the University of California, Irvine under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) on April 15, 2026, for collaborative research investigating coastal ecosystem resilience to intensifying heat waves. The project will deliver scientific research outputs examining the capacity of foundation species—specifically rockweeds and mussels—to provide thermal refuge and mitigate heat-wave impacts on West Coast coastal ecosystems from California to Alaska. Research products include physiological studies, controlled heating experiments, field observations during natural heat-wave events, and peer-reviewed scientific findings that identify vulnerabilities and thermal refuges within coastal ecosystems.

Beyond primary research deliverables, the project will generate educational and knowledge-exchange products including student training opportunities, course-based research experiences, and outreach materials for environmental management agencies and the public. These activities are designed to strengthen scientific capacity and advance understanding of coastal ecosystem resilience in response to climate change. The award is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2029, and represents a collaborative effort to evaluate whether habitat-forming species can buffer other coastal species from extreme thermal events as climate impacts intensify.