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.

 

IISG Instagram

Deadline extended! The IISG program, in cooperation with the @nationalparkservice at @indianadunesnps and @UrbanRivers in Chicago, is offering two internship opportunities to support conservation policy efforts. Sea Grant’s national Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program aims to broaden participation in coastal, ocean, Great Lakes, and marine sciences providing training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision-makers, and citizens. The program will do so by recruiting, retaining and engaging students in place-based research, extension, education, and/or communication that respects and integrates local ways of knowing.Applications due April 21.Learn more at the link in bio.
Join us this Thursday for a seminar on the latest fish biology, ecology, and fisheries science happening in Lake Michigan. Speaker will include: -Anna Hill (Purdue) with an update on alewife diet and growth rates in Lake Michigan-Charlie Roswell (INHS) with an update on Lake Michigan and Calumet River smallmouth bass movement-Dan Makauska (IL DNR) with an update from the Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesLearn more and register at the link in bio.
Calling all heroes! IISG, @iBioIllinois, and @UrbanaParkDistrict are joining forces to protect the realm from harmful invasive species - will you be brave enough to join us? Attendees will learn about managing and preventing the spread of invasive species through fun and interactive roleplaying activities designed by UIUC researchers and students.When: April 12, 1-5pmWhere: Anita Purves Nature Center in Urbana, ILOpen to all ages-cosplay encouraged!
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