The Texas Sea Grant College Program at Texas A&M University has awarded five new research grants totaling $1.4 million for two-year research projects. The grants will fund researchers at universities around the state to support coastal and marine ecosystems, communities and economies.

Through partnerships with the State of Texas and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Texas Sea Grant conducts a competitive research grant program every two years that draws on the expertise of the state’s top scientists. Funded projects are selected using a competitive and rigorous peer-review process that considers the project’s potential to produce substantial and beneficial impacts to society and its ability to integrate research and extension efforts.

Projects must also align with Texas Sea Grant’s strategic plan and four focus areas: Resilient Communities and Economies, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Education and Workforce Development.

Awards for the 2020 - 2022 period are:

• “A Hybrid Decision Support System for Driving Resiliency in Texas Coastal Communities,” Dr. Amir Behzadan, Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
  
  
• “Guaranteeing Coastal Wetland Survival Under Sea Level Rise Through Nature-based Beneficial-use Dredged Sediment Placement: A Galveston Bay Living Laboratory,” Dr. Jens Figlus, Texas A&M University – Galveston
  
  
• “Oyster Aquaculture Suitability Index and Production Potential Model for the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Copano Bay, TX, USA,” Dr. Joe Fox, Texas A&M University ­– Corpus Christi (TAMUCC)
  
  
• “Long-term Benthic Data Informs Adaptive Management of Freshwater Inflow to the Texas Coastal Bend,” Dr. Paul Montagna, TAMUCC
  
  
•  “Safety of Slab Home Elevations in Harvey-Affected Communities: Research, Extension, Training and Outreach,” Dr. Nur Yazdani, University of Texas at Arlington

According to Texas Sea Grant Director Dr. Pamela T. Plotkin, “These new research grants will support outcome-oriented research that span the natural, physical, social, behavioral and economic sciences and engineering while generating substantial positive impacts for the people, economy and ecosystems of Texas.”