The National Academies’ Gulf Research Program (GRP) today announced the launch of the Gulf Scholars Program (GSP), a five-year, $12.7 million pilot program that prepares undergraduate students to address the most pressing environmental, health, energy, and infrastructure challenges in the Gulf of Mexico region. UAB is among the first seven universities chosen for the pilot program.
With targeted funding, attention, and support, the GSP will help Gulf-based institutions of higher education cultivate future leaders who will serve the region. Each participating university will receive funds to create academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular experiences related to the GRP’s core focus areas — community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship, and offshore energy safety. Funds are also used to provide faculty and staff support, engage evaluation specialists, and secure undergraduate research experiences.
“The Gulf Scholars Program is filling a niche — because few undergraduate programs are dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to solve challenges in the Gulf. These students — many of whom have home ties to the Gulf — are getting rigorous education and training in issues that directly impact their own communities,” said Karena Mothershed, senior program manager of the GRP’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement. “We hope this new program inspires students to envision a career in the Gulf and work to make it an even better place.”