Gulf Research Program

In partnership with the Natural Hazards Center, the GRP is introducing a new initiative to support the next generation of oil spill response researchers. This series of free webinars and Community of Practice will focus on sharing lessons learned from previous oil spills and best practices for conducting research that is responsive to the needs of impacted communities.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/GBlT50ZcvF3

"We don't have a planning gap. What we have is an implementation gap."
— John O'Donnell, Baton Rouge Area Foundation

This insight was a key takeaway from our session at the 2026 Natural Hazards Workshop. The discussion highlighted the importance of actionable research and applied knowledge that community foundations and local organizations can use to address community needs, build capacity, and strengthen resilience.

Thank you to our wonderful panelists and everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.

Attending the 2026 Natural Hazards Workshop? Join us at 8:30 AM MDT in Interlocken A for a session on Building Regional Adaptive Capacity Through Community Foundations. This session will explore the GRP's Adaptive Capacity for Transformation (ACT) Initiative and showcase how community foundations are advancing evidence-based strategies to build resilience.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the GRP lunch at the 2026 Natural Hazards Workshop!

We were energized by the thoughtful conversations around the complex challenges facing the Gulf Coast and the communities we serve. Hearing your perspectives on the region’s most pressing issues was invaluable.

A special thank you to the Natural Hazards Center for bringing together such a dedicated community of researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

We look forward to continuing to strengthen partnerships and build resilience across the Gulf Coast.

We're seeking volunteer peer reviewers for our 2026 Resilience Education funding opportunity. Reviewers will evaluate proposals that use place-based education to engage communities in addressing local environmental challenges and building resilience across the .

We welcome nominations of experts in environmental education, community engagement, resilience planning, science and environmental literacy, and related fields.

Submit your nominations by June 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET: https://ow.ly/Ahff50Z9TU0

Today is National . From supporting communities and economies to sustaining critical , the Mississippi River has shaped life across the region for generations.

Through Mississippi River 100 (MR100), we're partnering with The Water Institute and a growing network of collaborators to reflect on the river's past and help imagine a more resilient future for the people and places that depend on it.

Learn more about MR100 here: https://ow.ly/QqQz50Z6OwS

Over 50 students presented their sustainable design projects during the inaugural Mobile Delta Festival, a public event organized by Auburn's Gulf Adaptation Design Studio students to showcase work from the past two years of the studio's activities in Mobile. Interactive exhibits led by students were set up for visitors and solar-powered lanterns made from biodegradable materials were displayed throughout.

Auburn's Gulf Adaptation Design Studio is part of the GRP-funded Gulf Futures Design Studios initiative to prepare the next generation of professionals to identify, visualize, explore, and propose solutions to local and regional critical issues in the Gulf region.

Learn more:

Mobile Delta Festival showcases Auburn student's sustainable design projects | WKRG.com MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Auburn University students brought sustainable design projects to downtown Mobile on Friday for their Mobile Delta Festival in Cathedral Square. The pop-up exhibition showcas…

Three of our Science Policy Fellows in action this week at : Dr. Charles Wallace, Dr. Marcy Cockrell, and Hanna Bauer!

Want the chance to hear more from past SPF fellows? Tomorrow May 7, listen in on one of the several sessions led by SPF alum, including "Vessel Avoidance Behavior in Green Turtles off the Gulf Coast of Florida" and "Glass Recycling for Coastal Restoration."

Learn more and view the full schedule here: https://ow.ly/H3tP50YVKIa

There's only one week left to apply for the Energy Track of our Early-Career Research Fellowship!

The ECRF supports emerging scientific leaders through funding, mentorship, and a collaborative network of peers. The 2026 Energy Track focuses on Legacy Energy Systems and Pathways Forward, supporting research on risks associated with aging offshore infrastructure and pathways for safe decommissioning or repurposing in the .

Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/OWnB50YRcrQ

Congratulations to Gulf Offshore Research Institute, one of the winners of the Gulf Futures Challenge!

GORI is a nonprofit organization focused on developing innovative uses for offshore infrastructure to support research, economic development, and environmental stewardship in the .

Across the , many offshore oil and gas platforms are reaching the end of their operational lives, raising questions about how to manage aging infrastructure while balancing environmental impacts and future economic opportunities. Through its proposal, GORI will repurpose these platforms into multi-use offshore hubs supporting environmental stewardship, ocean monitoring, aquaculture, and workforce development, helping transition legacy infrastructure into long-term assets for the region.

Learn more about the project: https://ow.ly/2VbR50YOCfE