The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued has launched a funding opportunity for empowering K–8 youth through place-based learning. This program seeks to increase the scientific and environmental literacy and problem-solving skills of children and youth in the Gulf of Mexico region by supporting the next generation of informed citizens, scientists, engineers, and decision-makers in understanding the socio-environmental challenges of their local communities and providing opportunities to increase their capacity to address them.
According to the Request for Applications, “Proposed projects should focus on place-based education (PBE) linked to topics that are relevant to advancing the Gulf Research Program’s mission. The mission of the GRP is to develop, translate, and apply science, engineering, and medical knowledge to enhance offshore energy safety, environmental protection and stewardship, and human health and community resilience in the Gulf region in ways that empower its citizens.”
Applicants can request between $75,000 and $1 million to support educational, service, and coordination activities to foster the development of the scientific and environmental skills, competencies, and capabilities that are critical to solving complex issues in the Gulf now and into the future. Proposed activities can be new or continuing if the “proposal demonstrates significant positive impact(s) and anticipated programmatic growth.”
Applicants must be nonprofit, state, and local entities and can request between $75,000 and $1 million for up to 24 months. The Request for Application explicitly cites the opportunity for informal educational settings, which are expected to be complementary to formal education standards and learning objectives.
“Preference will be given to applicants with a history of working with children and youth, particularly those who work with underrepresented or underserved populations, including but not limited to racial/ethnic minorities, tribal youth, LGBTQ+ youth, students demonstrating low socio-economic status as established by the free and reduced lunch program, children with disabilities, first-generation immigrants, students from rural or remote areas, and/or students experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Programmatic activities must occur in the United States Gulf of Mexico region.”
Submissions are due April 10, 2024, for awards estimated to begin on September 3, 2024. The program is hosting virtual office hours for question and answer on February 21.
The GRP was established in 2013 as a part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, and received an endowment to carry out studies, projects, and other activities in the areas of research and development, education and training, and monitoring and synthesis.
Additional Information
- Funding Opportunity: Empowering K-8 Youth Through Place-Based Education
- Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine