Federal Grant Award Summary

The Pennsylvania State University received a $558,568 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences (Geosciences program, CFDA 47.050) for collaborative research investigating larval dispersal plasticity in coral reef fish, with funding effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The research employs clown anemonefish as a model organism to address fundamental questions about larval dispersal distance, variation in dispersal patterns, and ecological consequences. The project deliverables include original research conducted through laboratory experiments, field experiments, molecular genetics analysis, and mathematical modeling that will advance understanding of marine metapopulation dynamics and larval dispersal mechanisms.

The award integrates substantial educational and public outreach components alongside primary research objectives. Penn State will train undergraduate and graduate students in marine ecology with emphasis on transferable skills in experimental design, data collection, statistical modeling, and scientific communication. Additional products include participation opportunities for high school students in active research, publication of a book targeting teenage audiences on marine ecology careers and research, and dissemination of research findings through popular science magazines in English and Spanish. The research outcomes are intended to inform marine protected area design and fishing regulation development, with potential applications to marine resource management and conservation policy.