Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences awarded $434,023 to the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (doing business as Dauphin Island Sea Lab) under the Geosciences Program (CFDA 47.050) on January 15, 2026, for collaborative research investigating viral infections on sulfate-reducing microbial communities. The project delivers fundamental scientific research examining virus-microbe interactions and their ecological significance in biogeochemical cycling processes, with completion scheduled for August 31, 2028. Research activities employ a multidisciplinary approach combining environmental observations, process-oriented biogeochemical incubations, and modeling to quantify viral impacts on sediment metabolism and sulfate reduction rates in coastal ecosystems, with specific focus on the Gulf Coast region.

In addition to core research deliverables, the project generates substantial educational outputs supporting STEM workforce development across K-12, undergraduate, and graduate educational levels. The consortium develops experiential learning activities that highlight Gulf Coast marine research, emphasize the ecological importance of microorganisms in coastal ecosystems, and reframe public understanding of viruses through their essential roles in ecosystem processes. These integrated research and educational components leverage the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's marine science expertise to advance fundamental knowledge of Earth system processes while building scientific capacity in marine and coastal sciences.