IISG funding opportunity for research on Lake Michigan, aquaculture, accessible science, and more

Posted January 9th, 2025 in Aquaculture, Education, Featured, Funding

The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG) today announced a new funding opportunity for promising two-year research projects addressing issues relevant to the southern Lake Michigan ecosystem and the surrounding communities in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.

The competitive grant program funds research projects aligned with the goals outlined in the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Strategic Plan 2024-2027. These goals include Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Resilient Communities and Economies, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development.

IISG plans to award successful projects up to $200,000 per project ($100,000 per year) with a 50% non-federal match requirement. Applications are due March 5, 2025.

View the full request for proposals for more information.

Focus Areas and Research Topics

IISG will consider any proposal that is aligned with the goals of the strategic plan. However, two focus areas will receive special prioritization in this funding competition.

  1. Projects with outcomes that demonstrate broad scientific accessibility for veterans, rural populations, or other groups that face science-accessibility challenges.
  2. Projects exploring social, economic, or legal barriers to aquaculture production of Illinois- and/or Indiana-grown fish or shellfish.

In addition, there are several other topics of interest this cycle, including:

  • Helping communities or ecosystems adapt to changing lake levels in southern Lake Michigan.
  • The development, deployment and/or analyses of novel sensors and resulting data for studying physicochemical and biotic dynamics of southern Lake Michigan
  • Analyzing contaminant levels in fish or shellfish that are or can be used for food.
  • Addressing environmental justice concerns associated with restoration of degraded southern Lake Michigan coastal sites (e.g., decommissioned power plants, industrial parks).
  • Analyzing contaminant input into southern Lake Michigan associated with roads, road traffic, and driving.
  • Conducting human dimensions research on fisheries on Lake Michigan or its tributaries.

Questions regarding eligibility or submission requirements may be directed to Stuart Carlton at carltons@purdue.edu.

 

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a partnership between NOAA, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, bringing science together with communities for solutions that work. Sea Grant is a network of 34 science, education and outreach programs located in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Lake Champlain, Puerto Rico and Guam.

 

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When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.

To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or
InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18519504694041949
When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community

Who says “Back to School” means back indoors? While the weather is still warm, take your students on an outdoor science adventure by exploring crayfish in your local waterways.

The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative invites grades 2-12 educators to take part in a hands-on participatory science activity. By catching, identifying, and reporting crayfish species in your area, students contribute valuable data that helps scientists better understand where native and invasive crayfish live.

Check out what other educators have found and get involved: inaturalist.org/projects/great-lakes-crayfish

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17949007619874652
Who says “Back to School” means back indoors? While the weather is still warm, take your students on an outdoor science adventure by exploring crayfish in your local waterways.The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative invites grades 2-12 educators to take part in a hands-on participatory science activity. By catching, identifying, and reporting crayfish species in your area, students contribute valuable data that helps scientists better understand where native and invasive crayfish live.Check out what other educators have found and get involved: inaturalist.org/projects/great-lakes-crayfish

Come round up some rusty crayfish and help remove this #invasivespecies from the Fox River at the 7th Annual Rusty Rodeo. Join us at this FREE event and help collect, identify, and remove rusty crayfish from the river using aquatic nets and buckets. Prizes are given to the participant who collects the most, the largest, and the smallest rusty crayfish. Learn more about native and invasive aquatic species at educational pop-
up exhibits.

Participants will need to provide their own supplies. We suggest bringing an aquatic net, a bucket, and clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is a partnership program with: Forest Preserve District of Kane County, St. Charles Parks & Recreation Department, Fox Valley Park District, and Friends of the Fox River. No registration required.

More info: https://kaneforest.com/upload/2025RustyRodeoFull-pageFlyer.pdf

#CrayWeek #Crayfish #InvasiveSpecies #RustyCrayfish #FoxRive

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18019096961738059
Come round up some rusty crayfish and help remove this #invasivespecies from the Fox River at the 7th Annual Rusty Rodeo. Join us at this FREE event and help collect, identify, and remove rusty crayfish from the river using aquatic nets and buckets. Prizes are given to the participant who collects the most, the largest, and the smallest rusty crayfish. Learn more about native and invasive aquatic species at educational pop-up exhibits.Participants will need to provide their own supplies. We suggest bringing an aquatic net, a bucket, and clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is a partnership program with: Forest Preserve District of Kane County, St. Charles Parks & Recreation Department, Fox Valley Park District, and Friends of the Fox River. No registration required.More info: https://kaneforest.com/upload/2025RustyRodeoFull-pageFlyer.pdf#CrayWeek #Crayfish #InvasiveSpecies #RustyCrayfish #FoxRive
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