The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) is committed to advancing scientific understanding of sea level variation and rise in the Gulf of America in order to support more accurate, actionable, and regionally relevant projections. Through this effort, GRP aims to improve the capacity of communities, agencies, and decision makers across the Gulf to prepare for and respond to the impacts of sea level rise. The GSLVR Research Grant Program builds on prior GRP investments in sea level science and continues GRP’s commitment to supporting research that informs long-term coastal resilience and environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity follows the first cycle of the Gulf Sea Level Variation and Rise (GSLVR) grant program (2022 – 2026). In GSLVR Cycle I, GRP has supported three collaborative research teams focused on advancing the scientific understanding of relative sea level change and enhancing projection capabilities for the Gulf coast. These teams have worked in partnership with federal end users such as the NASA’s Sea Level Change Team and NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). Their work has contributed to national sea level forecasting efforts and regional and local planning efforts. To learn more about the initial GSLVR program, visit the Awards tab above.

With Cycle II of the GSLVR Grant Program, GRP is seeking applications for interdisciplinary research projects that will refine projections of relative sea level rise in the Gulf region by improving the understanding of key physical processes and translating that knowledge into usable tools and information products. This includes emissions-dependent probabilistic projections, forecasting tools, and scenario-based products that account for gravitational, rotational, and deformational changes, vertical land motion, ocean dynamics, and/or other region-specific factors. Proposed projects must demonstrate relevance to end users (federal agencies, state and local planners, resource managers, etc.) and should be designed to improve long-term planning, preparedness, and resilience to sea level hazards across the Gulf of America. This program will also align grantees with other GRP sea level rise efforts, including calling on grantees to share their science with end-users of their data products.

A total of up to $7 million is available for this funding opportunity. Funding will be awarded to support projects of up to five years in duration. The number of awards made in Gulf Sea Level Variation and Rise – Cycle II will depend on the quantity, quality, and budgets of the applications received. Applicants must propose budgets that are commensurate with the scope and scale of the work described.

Application submission has closed and applications are being reviewed. Funding announcements to come later in 2025.