Planning for a pilot global edna marine collection and analysis program (gemcap)

The University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography received a $192,959 Project Grant award from the Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Office of Naval Research to plan for a pilot Global Environmental DNA Marine Collection and Analysis Program (GEMCAP). The grant is funded through the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300) and aims to support and stimulate basic and applied research with potential to improve naval operations.

Under this award, Scripps Institution of Oceanography will utilize the funding to plan for a pilot program exploring the collection and analysis of environmental DNA from marine environments on a global scale. The program aims to advance naval operations through improved understanding of marine biodiversity enabled by eDNA techniques. The grant period runs from June 8, 2021 through March 7, 2023, providing 18 months of support for initial planning activities of potential importance to the Navy.