By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – DEC. 20, 2024 – The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced UTRGV as part of the 2024 cohort for the Gulf Scholars Program.

The five-year, $12.7 million pilot program prepares undergraduate students to address pressing environmental, health, energy and infrastructure challenges in the Gulf of Mexico region.

This cohort is the fourth to join the Gulf Scholars Program network, expanding it to 24 institutions across the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

As a participant in the Gulf Scholars Program, UTRGV will develop a unique educational program consisting of courses, workshops and a major research or creative project in partnership with a local or regional organization centered on the Gulf of Mexico region.

Participating in these place-based programs helps students build the skills and knowledge critical to addressing the region’s complex environmental, energy and resilience challenges.

The program, spearheaded Dr. Friederike Bruehoefener, an associate professor and director of the School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement, and Dr. Marla Perez-Lugo, UTRGV professor of Environmental Sociology, is designed to empower students through hands-on learning experiences related to the Gulf region.

"This initiative will create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts, addressing challenges in our communities and the Gulf Coast," Bruehoefener said.

The Gulf Scholars Program will select twelve students each year, with a total of four cohorts over the grant period, with a focus on those majoring in areas relevant to the program’s goals. Students will engage in workshops, community-based projects and mentorship opportunities with faculty experts.

In a unique approach, the program will also support bilingual education, allowing students to complete certain components in Spanish.

The Gulf Scholars Program aligns with UTRGV’s mission to serve the community of the Rio Grande Valley, said Bruehoefener.

"Our students have valuable perspectives that can drive positive change in our region,” she said. “This program is about equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to create sustainable solutions for our communities.”

The selection process for participants will begin in the 2024-2025 academic year.

ABOUT NATIONAL ACADEMIES

The National Academies’ Gulf Research Program is an independent, science-based program founded in 2013 as part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. It seeks to enhance offshore energy system safety and protect human health and the environment by catalyzing advances in science, practice, and capacity to generate long-term benefits for the Gulf of Mexico region and the nation. The program has $500 million for use over 30 years to fund grants, fellowships, and other activities in the areas of research and development, education and training, and monitoring and synthesis.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.