In support of NASA’s ocean-focused research, the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP)/Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Research Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry (OCEAN) activity is established to strengthen and develop the research capacity and infrastructure of Minority-Serving

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Institutions (MSIs) in areas of strategic importance and value to NASA’s mission and national priorities.

Overall, OCEAN awards seek to improve understanding of the structure and function of global aquatic ecosystems, their interactions with the atmosphere, terrestrial and cryospheric systems, and the ocean’s role in the cycling of the major biogeochemical elements.

This is done by enhancing the capability of institutions to participate in funding opportunities, such as Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES), and to support the Agency’s advancement of science to achieve a deep scientific understanding of our planet.

Proposals are sought from MSIs that will respond to one of two objectives that address the OCEAN goal.

The goal and objectives of OCEAN awards are as follows:Goal 1:
Quantitative Analyses of Vulnerability and Shifts of Aquatic Biology and/or Ecosystems in Response to Climate Change.

Objective 1. 1:
Quantitative remote sensing analyses of impacts and/or vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems to climate variability and change.

Objective 1. 2:
Improve understanding of carbon cycle processes and feedbacks in aquatic critical zones that are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Proposals shall also include support for MSI undergraduate/graduate student direct involvement in the proposed research for the duration of the project.