Federal Grant Award Summary

The Office of Naval Research awarded the University of Massachusetts a $180,000 Project Grant on June 1, 2026, under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300) for a project titled "Bottoms-Up: Targeting Biofilm at the Point of Attachment with UV Emitting Surfaces." This five-year research initiative, with a completion date of May 31, 2031, focuses on developing ultraviolet (UV) emitting surface technologies to prevent biofilm formation at the initial attachment stage. The research has direct applications to naval operations, where biofilm accumulation on ship hulls and underwater structures presents significant operational challenges including increased drag, corrosion, and maintenance costs.

The University of Massachusetts will conduct fundamental and applied research leveraging its engineering, materials science, and environmental science expertise to design and test UV-emitting surface coatings and materials. This research aligns with the Office of Naval Research's mission to develop superior technologies for naval platforms and operations. The project will be performed at the University's Amherst, Massachusetts facilities and may generate intellectual property, technical reports, and prototype development data supporting the advancement of biofilm mitigation technologies for maritime applications.