Gulf of Mexico Alliance Gulf Research Initiative

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Gulf of Mexico AllianceGulf Research Initiative
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Gulf Research Initiative

• 500 million over ten years for independent
  scientific research by academic institutions
  based primarily in the Gulf Coast
• 50 million annually
• Research in 5 key areas
• Executive Board to govern process
• Consortia to develop and published research
  programs
• Peer review

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Role of Gulf of Mexico Alliance

• MOU with BP to define roles and responsibilities
  of the parties under development/close to
  completion
• GRI executive director and professional staff to
  manage back-office functions
• Third-party contractor to manage proposal process

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Research Themes

• Physical distribution and fate of contaminants
• Chemical evolution and biological degradation of
  contaminants
• Environmental effects of the contaminates on the
  Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and science of
  ecosystem recovery
• Technology developments for improved detection,
  characterization, mitigation and remediation of
  offshore spills
• Integration of the other 4 themes in the context
  of human health

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Executive Board

• Members
• 10 members appointed by the 5 governors of the
  Gulf States
• 10 members appointed by BP
• Chaired by Dr. Rita Colwell, University of
  Maryland and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of
  Public Health
• Board met December 1-2 in Mobile to refine the
  RFP process
• Another meeting this month to complete the RFP
• Panel approach to RFP and review process modeled
  after NSF practices

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Next Steps

• Late December or early January 2011-finalize RFP
• February 1, 2011-proposals due to Executive Board
• April 1, 2011-Research programs selected by
  Executive Board
•  June 1, 2011-Research year begins