Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology awarded $412,373 to the University of California, Davis under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to conduct collaborative research addressing the "winter knowledge gap" in seasonally frozen lake ecosystems. Beginning February 1, 2026, and concluding October 31, 2027, this project delivers comprehensive scientific research and network development focused on understanding how winter conditions and climate-driven changes in ice and snow cover affect year-round lake ecosystem function, ecological communities, and food webs across diverse lake types. The core research involves intensive seasonal ecological studies of 12 lakes conducted by the project team, supplemented by coordinated research across at least 60 additional lakes through a collaborative network of researchers from dozens of institutions.

Beyond direct research outputs, the project produces substantial educational and workforce development products, including specialized training in winter sampling methodologies for graduate students, undergraduate students, and postbaccalaureate researchers. The team science approach generates an expanding network of winter-hardy aquatic researchers equipped with advanced capabilities to integrate winter ecosystem studies into ongoing research programs, thereby advancing the broader scientific community's capacity to predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change on lake systems during the fastest-warming season in the Northern Hemisphere.