University Of Maine System Inc

EMERGENCY INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT.

RII TRACK-1: MOLECULE TO ECOSYSTEM: ENVIRONMENTAL DNA AS A NEXUS OF COASTAL ECOSYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY FOR MAINE (MAINE-EDNA)

MAINE EPSCOR: THE NEXUS OF COASTAL SOCIAL-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABLE ECOLOGICAL AQUACULTURE

MAINE'S SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE INITIATIVE

GAINING EARLY AWARENESS AND READINESS FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS (GEAR UP STATE)

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANTS TO STUDENTS UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY(CARES) ACT.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE CARES ACT HIGHER ED EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND - INSTITUTION

THE X-BRIDGE PROJECT AWARDS $8,000,000 TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PROTOTYPING WITH THE GOAL OF DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN DELIVER BRIDGES AT HALF THE COST IN HALF THE TIME WITH DOUBLE THE LIFESPAN. THE PROJECT HAS A TOTAL OF FIVE MAJOR TASKS, COVERING THE DESIGN OF THE COMPOSITE BRIDGE SYSTEM (CBS) AND ITS UTILIZATION, DEVELOPING AND PROTOTYPING CBS TECHNOLOGIES, AND PLANNING AND RAMP UP TO CONSTRUCTING A FULL-SCALE DEMONSTRATION BRIDGE USING THE CBS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE DOT. THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE WILL DEVELOP AND INTEGRATE NEW ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS INTO BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AND TO EXPLORE AI-ASSISTED DESIGN TOOLS, WITH THE AIM TO DEMONSTRATE THESE TECHNOLOGIES AT SCALE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROTOTYPE BRIDGE. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES WILL BE THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES. THERE ARE NO KNOWN SUBRECIPIENTS. AWARD PURPOSE: THE X-BRIDGE PROJECT AWARDS $8,000,000 TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PROTOTYPING WITH THE GOAL OF DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN DELIVER BRIDGES AT HALF THE COST IN HALF THE TIME WITH DOUBLE THE LIFESPAN.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED - THE PROJECT HAS A TOTAL OF FIVE MAJOR TASKS, COVERING THE DESIGN OF THE COMPOSITE BRIDGE SYSTEM (CBS) AND ITS UTILIZATION, DEVELOPING AND PROTOTYPING CBS TECHNOLOGIES, AND PLANNING AND RAMP UP TO CONSTRUCTING A FULL-SCALE DEMONSTRATION BRIDGE USING THE CBS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE DOT. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES) ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT THE TIME OF AWARD. THERE ARE NO KNOWN SUBRECIPIENTS.

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS

MAINE PHYSICAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM PARTNERSHIP: RESEARCH AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ONGOING EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS AWARDED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOR A PROJECT ENTITLED ''AN INTERMEDIATE-SCALE VERSION OF THE VOLTURNUS + FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE PLATFORM CONCEPT IN A REAL OCEAN ENVIRONMENT WITH AN OPERATING TURBINE OFF THE COAST OF MAINE.” THIS AWARD IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FOA NUMBER DE-FOA-0002051 (ATLANTIS PHASE II).

ADVANCED NANOCOMPOSITES IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORIES.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE CARES ACT HIGHER ED EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND - STUDENTS

MAINE STATE GEAR UP: GEAR UP MAINE RISE

TAS::89 0321::TAS VALIDATION OF COUPLED MODELS AND OPTIMIZATION OF MATERIALS FOR OFFSHORE WIND STRUCTURES

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** OUR OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE IS TO ADVANCE TECHNOLOGIES THAT CO-PRODUCE FISH FEED INGREDIENTS AND SAF FROM LOW GRADE WOODY BIOMASS WITHIN A BIOREFINERY SETTING. THIS PURSUIT HOLDS THE PROMISE OF SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS IN THE PRODUCTION COSTS OF BOTH SAF AND FISH FEED INGREDIENTS, PAVING THE WAY FOR THEIR COST-EFFECTIVE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION WITH BIOREFINERY PRODUCTS ENTERING TWO DIFFERENT MARKET SECTORS.THE DECADES OF FIRE SUPPRESSION, LONG-TERM DROUGHT, AND REDUCED DEMAND FOR PULP AND PAPER PRODUCTION HAVE BEEN CREATING MILLIONS OF TONS OF LOW-GRADE WOODY BIOMASS (LWB), WHICH TYPICALLY INCLUDES SMALL-DIAMETER TREES, BRANCHES, AND OTHER LOW-VALUE WOOD WASTE STREAMS, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS A VERY LIMITED MARKET. OUR SUSTAINABLE WOOD TO FUEL AND FISH FEED (SWF3) PROGRAM DEVELOPS NEW TECHNOLOGIES CAPABLE OF UPGRADING THESE SUSTAINABLY HARVESTED MILLIONS OF TONS WOODY BIOMASS TO RENEWABLE JET FUEL DESIGNATED AS SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL (SAF) AND FISH FEED PROTEIN INGREDIENTS. BY HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF LWB, FOREST OWNERS UNLOCK ADDITIONAL INCOME STREAMS. THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OPTIONS 1) MAXIMIZES THE VALUE OF THE FORESTLAND 2) AVOIDS FOREST LAND USE CHANGES, AND 3) INCENTIVIZES ACTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT, IMPROVING FOREST HEALTH THROUGH PRACTICES LIKE PRE-COMMERCIAL THINNING. THIS PROACTIVE APPROACH ENHANCES LONG-TERM FOREST PRODUCTIVITY. THE COST-EFFECTIVE COPRODUCTION OF FISH FEED FROM WOOD NOT ONLY INCREASES THE PROFITABILITY OF AQUACULTURE FARMERS BUT ALSO MINIMIZES THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF AQUACULTURE BY REDUCING RELIANCE ON WILD-CAUGHT FISH AS FEED. MOREOVER, THE JET FUEL DERIVED FROM WOODY BIOMASS OFFERS A PROMISING OPPORTUNITY TO MITIGATE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE US AVIATION INDUSTRY, MAKING IT A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARD SUSTAINABLE AIR TRAVEL. THE CURRENT ANNUAL US COMMERCIAL JET FUEL MARKET IS 21 BILLION GALLONS, AND IT IS PROJECTED TO REACH 35 BILLION GALLONS BY 2050. THE US GOVERNMENT AIMS TO MEET THE AVIATION SECTOR'S 100% JET FUEL DEMAND WITH SAF DERIVED FROM RENEWABLE FEEDSTOCK (E.G., FOREST AND AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES) BY 2050, WHILE REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS OF THIS SECTOR BY AT LEAST 50% COMPARED TO ITS CURRENT EMISSION LEVELS. THE NEAR-TERM TARGET OF THE US GOVERNMENT IS TO PRODUCE 3 BILLION GALLONS OF SAF ANNUALLY BY 2030. IN 2022, US SAF PRODUCTION WAS ONLY 2 MILLION GALLONS, FALLING SHORT OF TARGETS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CURRENT LIMITED SUPPLY OF SAF FROM PLANT OILS OR ANIMAL FATS AT PRODUCTION COSTS THAT ARE VERY HIGH COMPARED TO PETROLEUM DERIVED JET FUEL.TO REALIZE OUR OVERARCHING OBJECTIVEOF DEVELOPING A NOVEL BIOREFINERY FRAMEWORK FOR COPRODUCTION OF JET FUEL AND FISH FEED, WE ARE ENGAGING IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES IN A WIDE RANGE OF FIELDS INCLUDING CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, FISH NUTRITION, FOREST RESOURCES, ECONOMICS, MICROBIOLOGY, AND SUSTAINABILITY. THE OUTCOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES WILL 1) ADVANCE FUNDAMENTAL AND TRANSLATIONAL (FROM LAB TO PILOT SCALE,) SCIENCES RELATED TO SAF PRODUCTION VIA HYDROTHERMAL LIQUEFACTION TECHNOLOGY THAT WORKS ON A VARIETY OF FEEDSTOCKS, AND THE COPRODUCTION OF FISH FEED FROM WOOD DERIVED SUGARS, 2) INCREASE DIVERSITY IN BIOECONOMY WORKFORCE, AND 3) PROVIDE SCIENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE TO STAKEHOLDERS IN THE BIOECONOMY, EMPOWERING THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT, USE, AND PROMOTION OF WOOD DERIVED JET FUEL AND FISH FEED.

PURPOSE - THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW GREEN ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS (GEM) FACTORY OF THE FUTURE. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED - THE GEM FACTORY OF THE FUTURE WILL PROVIDE A BUILDING ADDITION OF APPROXIMATELY 94,720 SQUARE FEET TO THE ADVANCED STRUCTURES AND COMPOSITES CENTER ON CAMPUS. THE ADDITION WILL BE COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY EQUAL SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR (A) HIGH BAY LAB AREA AND (B) OFFICE AND CLASSROOM AREA. THE HIGH BAY AREA WILL INCLUDE TWO MANUFACTURING BAYS, A NORTH BAY FOCUSED ON HOUSING TECHNOLOGIES AND A SOUTH BAY FOCUSED ON BOATBUILDING.EXPECTED OUTCOMES - THE GEM FACTORY OF THE FUTURE BUILDING WILL PROVIDE WORKFORCE TRAINING FOR UP TO 150 STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY, AND COLLABORATORS TO WORK ON PROJECTS RELATED TO COMPUTING, INFORMATION SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES - THE PUBLIC, STAFF, AND STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE FACILITY. THE GEM FACTORY OF THE FUTURE IS LOCATED ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE CAMPUS. THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE IS A PUBLIC ACADEMIC INSTITUTION. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES - NO SUBRECIPIENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED OR PROPOSED.

REGULATION OF CELLULAR BEHAVIOR IN RESPONSE TO EXTRACELLULAR CUES - PROJECT SUMMARY COBRE - 1P20GM144265-01 PARENT AWARD GOAL: THE PARENT AWARD GOAL IS THE COBRE CENTER FOR THE REGULATION OF CELLULAR BEHAVIOR IN RESPONSE TO EXTRACELLULAR CUES. THIS COBRE GRANT SUPPORTS 5 JUNIOR PROJECT LEADERS FROM UNIVERSITY OF MAINE (UMAINE) AND MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY (MDIBL). THE PARENT AWARD BUILDS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE TO RUN ESSENTIAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND HELP GROW THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY AROUND COHESIVE COMMON RESEARCH THEMES. RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE COBRE CENTER FOR THE REGULATION OF CELLULAR BEHAVIOR IN RESPONSE TO EXTRACELLULAR CUES WILL SIGNIFICANTLY DEVELOP OUR UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES OF EXTERNAL STIMULI (SUCH AS CELL-CELL COMMUNICATION, SIGNALING PATHWAY, OR VIRAL INFECTION) DURING DEVELOPMENT, REGENERATION, HEALTH OR DISEASES. SUPPLEMENT AWARD GOAL: TITLE: PROTEOSTASIS, ATROPHY AND DEGENERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF MUSCLE AGING SARCOPENIA IS A MULTIFACTORIAL DISEASE CHARACTERIZED BY THE LOSS OF MUSCLE MASS, STRENGTH AND FUNCTION. ASSOCIATED WITH AGING AND AGE-RELATED DISEASES, IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE NEGATIVELY AFFECTING QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE RISING COST OF HEALTH CARE. THE PROBLEM WITH SARCOPENIA IS TWO-FOLD: THERE IS A LOSS OF PROTEOSTATIC MAINTENANCE LEADING TO DEGENERATION OF MUSCLE FIBERS AS WELL AS A LACK OF ABILITY TO REGENERATE HEALTHY TISSUE. DURING AGING, MUSCLE WASTING IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED EXPRESSION OF THE STRIATED MUSCLE-SPECIFIC PROTEIN TURNOVER FACTOR ATROGIN-1. THE MADELAINE LAB FOUND THAT OVEREXPRESSION OF THIS FACTOR IN ZEBRAFISH LEADS TO RAPID DEGENERATION OF MUSCLE FIBERS, ATROPHIC MUSCLE TISSUE AND LOCOMOTOR DYSFUNCTIONS. SURPRINSIGLY, THE EXPRESSION OF THIS FACTOR IS ALSO INCREASED UNDER DIETARY RESTRICTION (DR) INVOLVING FASTING. DR IS THE MOST ROBUST AGING INTERVENTION TO INCREASE HEALTHY LIFESPAN AND PRESERVE LONG-TERM MUSCLE MAINTENANCE. AS METABOLIC PARAMETERS ARE RESET TO MATCH DIETARY LIMITATIONS, ADAPTATION TO DR TEMPORARILY INDUCES MUSCLE CATABOLISM ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED ATROGIN- 1. INTERESTINGLY, THE ATROGIN-1 PROTEIN APPEARS TO HAVE A CENTRAL ROLE IN PROTEOSTASIS AND MUSCLE HOMEOSTATIS IN THE CONTEXT OF BOTH HEALTH AND DISEASE. UNDERSTANDING HOW ATROGIN-1 AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS REGULATE MUSCLE PROTEOSTASIS IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS MAY HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO LIMIT MUSCLE ATROPHY AND AMELIORATE MUSCLE WASTING. HOWEVER, USE OF VERTEBRATE SYSTEMS LIKE MICE FOR INVESTIGATING SKELETAL MUSCLE WASTING IN THE CONTEXT OF NATURAL AGING REQUIRE SEVERAL YEARS AND COMES AT GREAT COST. USE OF A ALTERNATIVE VERTEBRATE MODEL ORGANISMS WOULD ALLOW GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERVENTIONS AT A REDUCED COST AND WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE ZEBRAFISH IS A WELL ESTABLISHED POWERFUL ORGANISM FOR GENETIC MANIPULATIONS AND MODELING OF HUMAN DISEASES, WHILE NOTHOBRANCHIUS FURZERI (N. FURZERI) HAS RECENTLY EMERGED AS A MODEL FOR INVESTIGATING BOTH AGING AND REGENERATION. N. FURZERI IS THE SHORTEST-LIVED VERTEBRATE BRED IN CAPTIVITY, LIVING ONLY A FEW MONTHS. WE PROPOSE TO USE THESE FISH MODELS TO INVESTIGATE MUSCLE MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN PROTEOSTASIS AND REGENERATIVE CAPACITY DURING AGING AND/OR DR. THE MADELAINE LAB HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW GENETIC MODEL OF ACCELERATED MUSCLE AGING IN ZEBRAFISH THAT WE WILL USE TO LEVERAGE MODIFICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASE MUSCLE DEGENERATION AND ATROPHY. THE ROGERS LAB HAS DEVELOPED A MODEL OF DIETARY RESTRICTION (DR) INVOLVING INTERMITTENT FASTING IN N. FURZERI THAT WORKS TO INCREASE HEALTHY LIFESPAN IN MALE AND FEMALE ANIMALS. THIS PROVIDES AN INTERVENTION STRATEGY TO MITIGATE LOSS OF PROTEOSTASIS AND REGENERATIVE CAPACITY THAT OCCUR WITH AGE. THESE DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS ALSO ALLOWS FOR COMPARISON OF THE POSITIVE ROLE OF ATROGIN-1 IN ADAPTATION TO DR WITH ITS PATHOLOGICAL ROLE IN SARCOPENIA. IN ORDER TO GENERATE DATA REQUIRED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND CELLULAR CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MUSCLE AGING AND TO SUPPORT FUTURE GRANT APPLICATIONS, WE WANT TO ESTABLISH A SUBSTANTIVE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT ON THE PART OF OUR LABS. WE PROPOSE TO CARRY OUT THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH GOALS: 1) TEST LOCOMOTION AND SWIMMING PERFORMANCE TO DETERMINE MUSCLE FUNCTION IN FISH MODELS OF ACCELERATED MUSCLE AGING AND AFTER FASTING. 2) ASSESS MUSCLE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY USING TISSUE-CLEARING AND LIGHT-SHEET IMAGING IN A GENETIC MODEL OF SARCOPENIA, DURING AGING AND UNDER DR. 3) USE A SINGLE CELL MULTIOMICS APPROACH TO CHARACTERIZE CHANGES IN MUSCLE PROTEOSTATIC MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATED WITH EXPRESSION OF ATROGIN-1, AGING AND UNDER DR. THIS SUPPLEMENT AWARD PROJECT FITS IN THE SCOPE OF THE PARENT AWARD WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO IDENTIFY MOLECULAR EFFECTORS OF MUSCLE AGING AND CELLULAR CHANGES WITHIN THE MUSCLE TISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH GENETIC AND DIETARY INTERVENTIONS. THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FROM TWO LABS WITH COMPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL SKILLS AND EXPERTISE (ACCELERATED MUSCLE AGING AND LIFESPAN/HEALTHSPAN INTERVENTION) WILL STRENGTHEN THE OUTCOME OF THIS RESEARCH PROJECT.

NATIONAL TRIBAL CHILD WELFARE CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ADVANCEMENT

CHILD WELFARE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

PURPOSE/SCOPE:THE GREEN ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS (GEM) FACTORY OF THE FUTURE IS PROPOSED AS AN INTEGRATED FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING SPACE THAT LEVERAGES INDUSTRY 4.0, AI-ENABLED, LARGE-SCALE ADDITIVE, SUBTRACTIVE AND HYBRID DIGITAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED BY UMAINE AND ITS FEDERAL, NATIONAL LAB, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 43,000 SQUARE FEET IN NEW AND RENOVATED BUILDING SPACE FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ON A BUILDING SITE OF APPROXIMATELY 4 ACRES, INCLUDING THE BUILDING FOOTPRINT.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED:TO PLAN AND EXECUTE THIS PROJECT, THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AND THE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING TEAMS HAVE DEVELOPED A TEAM STRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES 13 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS (PITS) CONSISTING OF EXPERTS IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE BUILDING. ONE OF THESE TEAMS FOCUSES ON PEDAGOGY AND FACULTY-STUDENT INTERACTION IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED IN A WAY TO MAXIMIZE THE EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES SOUGHT.EXPECTED OUTCOMES:GEM WILL USHER IN A NEW ERA OF SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING AND EDUCATION IN THE NORTHEAST BY REPLICATING AND SCALING FACTORIES OF THE FUTURE AT FORMER MILL SITES. THIS WILL DRIVE MASSIVE GLOBAL DEMAND FOR WOOD RESIDUALS FROM THE NORTHERN FOREST AND TRANSFER BENEFITS TO RURAL ECONOMIES HARDEST-HIT BY MILL CLOSURES, JOB LOSS, POPULATION FLIGHT AND COVID-19.ADDITIONALLY, THIS INNOVATIVE FACILITY WILL CHANGE THE WAY STEM EDUCATION IS DELIVERED TO STUDENTS BY PROVIDING TRULY EXPERIENTIAL, HANDS-ON LEARNING MODALITIES IN THESE ADVANCED LABORATORIES. THIS CAN BE THOUGHT OF AS AKIN TO A TEACHING HOSPITAL, WHERE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING IN SIMILAR ENVIRONMENTS TO THOSE THEY'LL EVENTUALLY WORK IN, ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS AND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS DEVELOPING AND COMMERCIALIZING NEXT-GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES:STUDENTS ARE THE KEY TO THIS FACILITY AND MISSION AS THEY ARE THE FUTURE WORKFORCE WHO WILL LEAD OUR REGION'S TRANSITION TO A MODERN BIOECONOMY. ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS - SUCH AS HOUSING, BOATBUILDING AND FORMWORK - HAS EMERGED AS A PATHWAY TO GENERATE RESULTS QUICKLY, DUE TO THE VOLUME OF MATERIAL REQUIRED. GEM SUPPORTS THIS MARKET WITH UP TO 1.75M+ POUNDS OF WOOD FIBER CONSUMED ANNUALLY, AND DEMONSTRATES EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES IN A SCALABLE, REPLICABLE MANNER TO BUILD NEW MANUFACTURING CAPACITY AT FORMER MILLS IN THE NORTHERN FORESTS REGION. GEM WILL EXPAND UMAINE'S USE OF MASS TIMBER PRODUCTS BEYOND TRADITIONAL WAREHOUSE-TYPE SPACES TO A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY DEMANDING MANUFACTURING SETTING. THIS WOOD BASE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION WILL ACCELERATE THE MARKET GROWTH OF MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES:NONE

RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS NEW FACILITY IS TO ENABLE RESEARCHERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND INDUSTRY TO DEMONSTRATE AT SCALE FOREST-BASED INNOVATIONS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS IN SUPPORT OF A NATIONAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THIS BUILDING INCLUDE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION, PRODUCT TESTING, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR K-12 AND INDUSTRY.EXPECTED OUTCOMES: ONCE THE FOREST BIOMATERIALS INNOVATION CENTER HAS BEEN BUILT, NEW EQUIPMENT WILL BE INSTALLED THAT WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING IMPACTS, TO INCLUDE:*INVENTIONS DISCLOSURES/PATENTS - DEMONSTRATION OF THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES WILL FACILITATE ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL LEAD TO ADDITIONAL INVENTION DISCLOSURES AND PATENTS. *TECHNOLOGY LICENSING - AS COMPANIES CAN SEE DEMONSTRATION OF THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AT SCALE, WE ANTICIPATE THE LICENSING OF NEW, FIBER-BASED TECHNOLOGIES TO INDUSTRY. *INDUSTRY CONTRACTS - ONCE THIS NEW EQUIPMENT IS IN PLACE, WE ANTICIPATE INDUSTRY WANTING TO RUN TRIALS OF THEIR OWN ON THIS NEW EQUIPMENT TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN NEW PRODUCTS. *COMMERCIAL TRIALS - AS INDUSTRY IS ABLE TO SEE THE VALUE OF THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES DEMONSTRATED AT SCALE, WE ANTICIPATE SEEING MORE INDUSTRY COMMERCIAL TRIALS USING FIBER BIOMATERIALS. *ENTREPRENEURS/STARTUPS - WITH SUCH A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE AND RENEWABLE MATERIALS, WE EXPECT TO SEE ENTREPRENEURS AND STARTUPS REQUESTING ACCESS TO THIS NEW EQUIPMENT TO DEVELOP THEIR NEW PRODUCTS.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE FOREST BIOMATERIALS INNOVATION CENTER WILL BENEFIT 1) THE STATE BY OPENING UP MORE MARKETS FOR FOREST FIBER, 2) ENTREPRENEURS SEEKING TO LAUNCH NEW INNOVATIONS TO MEET CONSUMER DEMANDS FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS, 3) INDUSTRY WITHIN THE STATE AND BEYOND LOOKING FOR NEW FOREST-BASED PRODUCTS, AND 4) COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE STATE OF MAINE LOOKING TO REPLACE CLOSED BUSINESSES USING FOREST FIBER.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE

MAINE SEA GRANT 2018-2022 OMNIBUS FUNDING

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT TO SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER (EFC) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE (USM). THE EFCS PROVIDE FINANCE-RELATED TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND ANALYTICAL STUDIES TO HELP REGULATED PARTIES DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO THE DIFFICULT 'HOW-TO-PAY' ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. THE EFCS EDUCATE STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES ON LOWERING ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS, INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS, IMPROVING FINANCIAL CAPACITY, IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE REVENUE GENERATING MECHANISMS, AND EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING OPTIONS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: * TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT TO STATES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES * PROVIDE BOOTS-ON-THE-GROUND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOP LOCAL CAPACITY TO MOVE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FORWARD TO FINANCING AND IMPLEMENTATION * IDENTIFICATION OF DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO ASSIST, AND WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE * TRANSFER AND REPLICATION OF SUCCESSFUL ASSISTANCE APPROACHES DEVELOPED BY OUR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTERS (EFCS) IN ORDER TO AMPLIFY BEST PRACTICES AND ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES FOR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARDS WILL BE USED TO FUND MULTIPLE SUBAWARDEES TO CARRY OUT KEY PORTIONS OF THE WORK, WHICH IS DESCRIBED FURTHER BELOW. MOONSHOT MISSIONS INC. (MOONSHOT) SHALL: * SERVE AS IN-HOUSE ENGINEERING ADVISOR AND PROJECT MANAGER TO COMMUNITIES RECEIVING DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) * PROVIDE TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT AND VALUE ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE PHASES OF PROJECTS INCLUDING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, SOLUTIONS IDENTIFICATION, PLANNING AND DESIGN. QUANTIFIED VENTURES (QV) SHALL: * PROVIDE BROAD AND DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES TO BUILD CAPACITY TO IDENTIFY FUNDING AND FINANCING OPTIONS (CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND, DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND, AND OTHER BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FUNDING) * SUPPORT SYSTEMS CONSIDERING WATER SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS AND CONSOLIDATIONS AND/OR SHARED PURCHASING MECHANISMS, INCLUDING RELATED TO RURAL WATER OPERATORS * OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION TO BOARDS ON INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY * FEEDBACK TO STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) PROGRAMS RCAP SOLUTIONS NORTHEAST (RSOL). SHALL: * ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING SMALL (LT;10K), RURAL UNDERSERVED AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES THAT LACK CAPACITY FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. * HELP IDENTIFY SHOVEL-READY PROJECTS IN COMMUNITIES AND ROADBLOCKS TO SRF PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES. * PROVIDE OUTREACH AND COORDINATION WITH NEWIN PARTNERS. * PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS LAB (UMB SSL). SHALL: * INFORM APPROACH FOR IDENTIFYING AND ENGAGING UNDERSERVED AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. * COLLABORATE WITH TA DELIVERY PARTNERS TO ENSURE PROJECT DESIGNS ARE EQUITABLE AND BRING REASONABLE SHARES OF BENEFITS TO DISADVANTAGED GROUPS. * CONDUCT ANALYSES OF THE LIKELY IMPACT OF PROJECTS ON DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF PROJECTS AND FUNDING MECHANISMS. UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE STORMWATER CENTER (UNH SC). SHALL: * PROVIDE COMMUNITIES WITH STORMWATER RETROFIT DESIGN ASSISTANCE OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: * PROJECT DEVELOPMENT/STORMWATER DESIGNS * SPECIALIZED STUDIES/SERVICES UNDERWAY (LEAD LINES, EQUITY) * PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS * STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) COLLABORATION/ COORDINATION (IDENTIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) COMMUNITIES, INTENDED USE PLAN (IUP) LIST) * CONDUCT ANALYSES OF THE LIKELY IMPACT OF PROJECTS ON DISADVANTAGED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES * DEVELOP AND DELIVER BROAD-REACHING CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO HELP EPA REGION 1 COMMUNITIES ACCESS FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS * SHARE STRATEGIC FEEDBACK WITH STATE SRF PROGRAM MANAGERS TO IMPR

NRC FOR CHILD WELFARE ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

TAS::89 0331::TAS RECOVERY ACT: DEEPCWIND CONSORTIUM NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAM - VALIDATION OF COUPLED MODELS AND OPTIMIZATION OF MATERIALS FOR OFFSH

PURPOSE: THE IMPACT PURPOSE FOR THE NEW SAWIC BUILDING IS TO PROVIDE A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING AND RESEARCH IN COLDWATER AQUACULTURE. THE CENTER IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SECURITY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION IN THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY. IT WILL ALSO FOSTER COLLABORATION WITH MAINE AQUACULTURE ENTITIES AND RURAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THE PENOBSCOT NATION.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: WORKFORCE TRAINING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIALIZATION, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION, COLLABORATIONEXPECTED OUTCOMES: CREATING A HUB FOR TRAINING AND INNOVATION, FOSTERING INNOVATION AND RESEARCH, EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY, SUPPORTING THE BROADER SEAFOOD SECTOR AND TRANSITIONING FROM TRADITIONAL FISHERIES, SUPPORTING BROODSTOCK DEVELOPMENT FOR SALMON RESTORATIONINTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE SAWIC PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS ITS TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL FOR MAINES AQUACULTURE SECTORSUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE'S NEW ENGLAND AQUA VENTUS I PROGRAM

NEW ENGLAND AQUA VENTUS I 100% HULL DESIGN

RII TRACK-2 FEC: LEVERAGING INTELLIGENT INFORMATICS AND SMART DATA FOR IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING OF NORTHERN FOREST ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCY (INSPIRES)

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE UNITED STATES, LIKE MOST COUNTRIES, NEEDS A VIBRANT FOOD SYSTEM IN ORDER TO THRIVE. HOWEVER IT HASBECOMEINCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR OUR FOOD AND FIBER ECONOMY TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE AS EMPLOYEES, SCIENTISTS, ADVOCATES, OR CARETAKERS. 4-H CAN AND SHOULD HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH AND POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.THE OH YEA! 4-H GROWS TRUE LEADERS PROJECT WILL DISCOVER NEW WAYS TO INVOLVE THEYOUTH POPULATION IN THEIR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. THIS PROJECT WILL INVOLVE YOUTH, THEIR PARENTS, AND COMMNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO EXPLORECAREERS IN THE WORLD OF FOOD.IN THIS PROJECT,HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN MAINE AND VERMONTWILL FORM 4-H CLUBS WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE FOOD SCIENCE, COOKING, NUTRITION, PRODUCTION, FOOD TRADITIONS, AND MORE. TEENS FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WILL BE TRAINED TO BE TEACHERS ABOUT FOOD AND TEENS WILL EXPLORE CAREERS IN THE PROCESS. PARENTS WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN WHILE BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE RHYTHYM OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. RESEARCH BY 4-H FACULTY WILL ASK, HOW DO RURAL AND PERI-RURAL FAMILIES WANT TO HELP AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE TO THEM? AND HOW DO PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO THRIVE AND HOW CAN 4-H ENCOURAGE THRIVING FOR THEM?. ULTIMATELY, THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUTH WHO STUDY FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, AND INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE OF EXTENSION TO BEST CONNECT WITH FAMILIES.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON INSTITUTIONAL PORTION UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT

MAINE SEA GRANT OMNIBUS 2010-2012 FUNDING

TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE INSTITUTION DUE TO OPERATIONAL DISRUPTIONS AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

RII TRACK-2 FEC: EXPLAINABLE AND ADAPTABLE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING -ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES HAVE RADICALLY TRANSFORMED MANUFACTURING AND ARE ESSENTIAL TO MODERN ECONOMIC PROSPERITY. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO LEVERAGE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, I.E., ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI), 3D METAL PRINTING, AND ROBOTICS, TO INCREASE THE QUALITY, CAPABILITY, SAFETY, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING (ADVMFG) IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THE ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN INDUSTRY TO ADDRESS MANUFACTURING CHALLENGES FACING THE REGION. THESE TWO OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY CREATING A SCIENTIFICALLY- AND GEOGRAPHICALLY-INTERLINKED TEAM, I.E., NORTHEAST INTEGRATED INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING LAB (NIIM), CONSISTING OF MEMBERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT, DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND VERMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE COMMUNITIES. ALTHOUGH INITIAL FUNDING FOR NIIM IS FROM A NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT TRACK-2 FOCUSED EPSCOR COLLABORATION (RII TRACK-2 FEC) AWARD, NIIM WILL SUSTAINABLY IMPACT THE EPSCOR JURISDICTIONS OF MAINE (ME), NEW HAMPSHIRE (NH), AND VERMONT (VT) FOR YEARS TO COME. NIIM WILL DRAW ON THE UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND RICH ASSETS OF EACH STATE, AND FULLY LEVERAGE EXISTING STATE AND FEDERAL INVESTMENTS. THE PROJECT'S RESEARCH TEAM, LED BY EARLY CAREER FACULTY AND SENIOR MENTORS, WILL INVESTIGATE HOW TO INTEGRATE STATE-OF-THE-ART AI TECHNIQUES INTO MODERN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS. A PROACTIVE LARGE-SCALE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT WILL IDENTIFY THE TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS OF FIRMS IN THE REGION, WHICH WILL INFORM PROJECT RESEARCH AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS IDENTIFY SKILLS GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING AND BUILDING CAREER PATHWAYS IN ADVMFG. THE PROJECT WILL EXTEND STEM EXPERIENCES TO UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES, ESPECIALLY THOSE UNDERREPRESENTED IN STEM FIELDS. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO CREATE NEW COMPONENTS FOR UPWARD BOUND FOR LOW-INCOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WHO WILL POTENTIALLY BE FIRST-GENERATION UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, AND NORTHEAST PASSAGE FOR DISABLED STUDENTS AND WORKERS AT COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES. THE TEAM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS (MEPS) IN THE THREE STATES, AN INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY BOARD, INDUSTRY PARTNERS, AND THE US ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WORKING WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS WILL ENSURE THAT THIS TRACK-2 PROJECT REMAINS CLOSELY TIED TO STATE AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES. IN THIS ERA OF INDUSTRY 4.0, INTELLIGENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES ARE OPENING NEW DIMENSIONS TO OPTIMIZE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS. THE NORTHEAST INTEGRATED INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING LAB (NIIM), ESTABLISHED IN THIS PROJECT, AIMS TO CREATE A NEW, EXPLAINABLE AND ADAPTABLE AI FRAMEWORK THAT FILLS EXISTING AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY GAPS IN MANUFACTURING, SUCH AS LONG AND EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENTS AND SIMULATIONS, LACK OF COORDINATION AMONG MULTIPLE MACHINES, AND DIFFICULTY IN PROGRAMMING ROBOTS FOR COMPLICATED MANUFACTURING TASKS. OUR CONVERGENT RESEARCH TEAMS ACROSS THREE EPSCOR JURISDICTIONS (ME, NH AND VT) WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH INDUSTRY TO CREATE: (A) NEW AI MODELS WITH INTRINSIC INTERPRETABILITY AND INCREASED ADAPTABILITY TO SUPPORT ADVANCED MANUFACTURING (ADVMFG); (B) AI-GUIDED DESIGN FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF METALS THAT SEAMLESSLY CONNECTS MULTI-SCALE MODELING AND PROPERTY PREDICTIONS WITHOUT UNNECESSARY TRIAL-AND-ERROR; (C) SELF-AWARE CNC MACHINES THAT OPTIMIZE THE COORDINATION AND CONTROL IN SUBTRACTIVE MANUFACTURING; (D) INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS THAT EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY LEARN FROM VIDEO DEMONSTRATIONS FOR CELLULAR MANUFACTURING; (E) AN INDUSTRY-DRIVEN, UNIFIED HYBRID MANUFACTURING FRAMEWORK; AND (F) AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES BY MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES. THE PROJECT ANTICIPATES SPECIFIC OUTCOMES THAT WILL BE OF IMMEDIATE RELEVANCE TO ADVMFG COMPANIES IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND. FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROJECT WILL YIELD SAMPLE-EFFICIENT ROBOT LEARNING TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ENABLE FACTORY WORKERS TO TEACH ROBOTS NEW SKILLS THROUGH VISUAL DEMONSTRATIONS, ALLOW ROBOTS TO LEARN FROM FAILURE AND REQUEST RELEVANT DEMONSTRATIONS, AND GENERATE RISK-BOUNDED SAFE POLICIES USING UNCERTAINTY AWARE LEARNING. THIS PROJECT WILL SERVE THE NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND MANUFACTURING SECTOR THROUGH RELEVANT RESEARCH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION EFFORTS ARE INTEGRATED TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO STEM EDUCATION FOR UNDERREPRESENTED, LOW INCOME, POTENTIAL FIRST-GENERATION, AND/OR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

THE SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND PROGRAM (SNEP) STORMWATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK (STAN) BRINGS TOGETHER REGIONAL EXPERTS IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, FINANCING, WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT RESTORATION, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION. THE NEW ENGLAND ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER (NE EFC) WILL ADMINISTER AND MANAGE STAN, BUT THE MAJORITY OF SNEP FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO COMMITTED PARTNERS IN THE SNEP AREA TO CARRY OUT TASKS. STAN PARTNERS WILL COME TOGETHER AS A NETWORK OF PARTNER-PROVIDERS OFFERING A FULL COMPLEMENT OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES TO MUNICIPALITIES, TRIBES, AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SNEP REGION, INCLUDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY A POOL OF VETTED SERVICE PROVIDERS/CONTRACTORS WHO WILL COMPETITIVELY BID SERVICES TO ENSURE A HIGH CALIBER OF TALENT AND QUALITY WORK. STAN WILL ALSO EXPAND UPON ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND, SERVING AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR THE REGION ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND FI

2014-2018 MAINE SEA GRANT OMNIBUS

INVESTING IN MAINE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE: SUSTAINABLE FOREST BIOPRODUCTS

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS INITIATIVE (VAWA MEI)

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANTS TO STUDENTS UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO CREATE A PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) ANALYTICAL LABORATORY ON THE UMAINE CAMPUS WOULD SERVE THE MONITORING NEEDS OF THE STATE WHILE ADVANCING THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE'S LEADERSHIP IN PFAS RESEARCH.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE PROPOSAL WILL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FOUR ACTIVITIES:TASK 1: DESIGNING AND CREATING A STATE-OF-THE-ART PFAS ANALYTICAL AND DETECTION CENTER IN A BUILDING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE IN ORONO, MAINE. TASK 2: PURCHASE INSTRUMENTATION AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE ANALYTICAL AND DETECTION CENTER TO PROVIDE UMAINE RESEARCHERS WITH PFAS ANALYSIS AND QUANTIFICATION.TASK 3: HIRE AND SUSTAIN THE PFAS CENTER STAFF. TASK 4: PROVIDE PFAS ANALYTICAL SERVICES.EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THIS CENTER WILL PROVIDE COST-EFFECTIVE AND RAPID PFAS ANALYTICAL SERVICES FOR UMAINE RESEARCHERS.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: PFAS RESEARCH COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKERS, GENERAL PUBLIC.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.

NATIONAL STEM TEACHER CORPS PILOT PROGRAM: RURAL ADVANCEMENT OF STUDENTS IN STEM VIA EXCELLENT TEACHER SUPPORT: A STATEWIDE MAINE ALLIANCE -THE NATIONAL STEM TEACHER CORPS PILOT PROGRAM REGIONAL ALLIANCE PROJECT AIMS TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING STEM EDUCATORS IN HIGH-NEED SCHOOLS THAT ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN THE NORTHEAST REGION. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT TEN (10) STEM TEACHER CORPS MEMBERS BY RECOGNIZING AND REWARDING THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EFFORT TO ENHANCE STEM TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGH SCHOOLS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT TO 200 OTHER STEM TEACHERS WITHIN THE REGION BY SUPPORTING AN ASSOCIATED COMMUNITY OF TEACHERS (ACT) TO STRENGTHEN STEM EDUCATION IN MAINE. BOTH STEM TEACHER CORPS AND ACT MEMBERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN SUMMER INSTITUTES TO STRENGTHEN CONTENT KNOWLEDGE FOR TEACHERS TEACHING OUT OF FIELD AND BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF PLACE-BASED, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, WHICH THEY WILL BRING BACK TO THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE PROPOSED PROJECT COMPONENTS WILL ENABLE EXEMPLARY AND INNOVATIVE STEM TEACHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER LEADERSHIP ACADEMIES AND ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER TO SUPPORT THE ENHANCEMENT OF STEM EDUCATION. THIS PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE INCLUDES A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHOSE LEADERS WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT LEADERSHIP TEAM AND EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD. PROJECT GOALS INCLUDE (1) TO IDENTIFY, RECOGNIZE, REWARD, AND RETAIN 10 EXCELLENT, INNOVATIVE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS (THE CORPS MEMBERS) WITH EXPERIENCE IN HIGH-NEED DISTRICTS AND EXPERTISE IN FIELDS OF PARTICULAR REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SHORTAGE: COMPUTER SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS/PHYSICAL SCIENCE, AND INTEGRATED TEACHING ACROSS DISCIPLINES; (2) TO DEVELOP A STEM TEACHER LEADER CAREER PATHWAY FOR CORPS MEMBERS, PREPARING THEM TO SUPPORT AND MENTOR NEW STEM TEACHERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT GRADUATED FROM TRADITIONAL TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS, AND LEVERAGING CORPS MEMBERS? EXPERTISE TO LEAD PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR MEMBERS OF THE ACT; (3) TO PROVIDE STEM AND STEM EDUCATION LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO MEET THE PROFESSIONAL NEEDS OF THE CORPS MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR TEACHING, MENTORSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP ROLES; (4) TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND PARTNERSHIPS AMONG LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS ACROSS MAINE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH; (5) TO SUPPORT THE CORPS MEMBERS IN LEVERAGING RESOURCES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND COMMITMENT TO STUDENT LEARNING, AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO PREPARING NEW TEACHERS AT THESE INSTITUTIONS; AND (6) TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND FORMATIVE EVALUATION TO SHAPE THE PROJECT AND CONTRIBUTE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT CHALLENGES OF STEM EDUCATION IN RURAL REGIONS. THIS REGIONAL ALLIANCE PROJECT IS SUPPORTED THROUGH THE NATIONAL STEM TEACHER CORPS PILOT PROGRAM. THE NSF NATIONAL STEM TEACHER CORPS PILOT PROGRAM SUPPORTS OUTSTANDING STEM EDUCATORS IN HIGH-NEED SCHOOLS THAT ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN OUR NATION'S PREK-12 CLASSROOMS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

OMB NUMBER: 4040-0019 EXPIRATION DATE: 02/28/2025 PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY THIS PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED OR THE APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE. ENSURE THE PROJECT ABSTRACT FIELD SUCCINCTLY DESCRIBES THE PROJECT IN PLAIN LANGUAGE THAT THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND AND USE WITHOUT THE FULL PROPOSAL. USE 4,000 CHARACTERS OR LESS. DO NOT INCLUDE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE, SENSITIVE OR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. REFER TO AGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PROJECT ABSTRACT FIELD REQUIREMENTS. IF THE APPLICATION IS FUNDED, YOUR PROJECT ABSTRACT INFORMATION (AS SUBMITTED) WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC WEBSITES AND/OR DATABASES INCLUDING USASPENDING.GOV. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER NOAA-OAR-SG-2024-23187 CFDA(S) 11.417 APPLICANT NAME UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM ACTING THROUGH UNIV. OF MAINE DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF APPLICANT'S PROJECT MAINE SEA GRANT OMNIBUS FUNDING 2024-2027 PROJECT ABSTRACT THIS OMNIBUS PROPOSAL SERVES AS AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE MAINE SEA GRANT PROGRAM'S 2024-2027 STRATEGIC PLAN, PREPARED AND APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT OFFICE IN 2022.ACTIVITIES ALIGNED WITH THE PROGRAM'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ARE OUTLINED FOR ALL FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ACCORDING TO OUR NATIONALLY-ALIGNED FOCUS AREAS OF COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE, COASTAL COMMUNITIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. IN ALL PROGRAMMING, WE ADHERE TO CORE VALUES AND CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT - OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM FOCUSES ON OVERSIGHT IN SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE APPLIED RESEARCH, AND PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION AND EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS THAT MEET OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES' NEEDS AND PRIORITIES AS THEY FACE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CULTURAL TRANSITIONS. RESEARCH - MAINE SEA GRANT SEEKS TO FOSTER THE HIGHEST QUALITY MARINE RESEARCH WITH A STRONG LIKELIHOOD OF SOCIETAL IMPACT IN MAINE. WE RUN AN OPEN RESEARCH COMPETITION EVERY TWO YEARS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS DEVELOPED THROUGH MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT WITH COASTAL AND MARINE INTERESTS AND FOCUSED ON RESEARCH QUESTIONS THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF MAINE'S COMMUNITIES. MAINE SEA GRANT MEETS THE ANNUAL 30-50% TARGET FOR FUNDING COMPETITIVE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION THROUGH OUR BIENNIAL RESEARCH CALLS, RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS, COMPETED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AWARDS AND ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR FUTURE COMPETED REGIONAL RESEARCH. COMMUNICATIONS - MAINE SEA GRANT HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PROMOTING SCIENCE COMMUNICATION. A ROBUST COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ALLOWS US TO SERVE THE WIDE VARIETY OF AUDIENCES THAT SPAN THE THOUSANDS OF MILES OF COASTLINE IN OUR STATE. EXTENSION - THE MARINE EXTENSION TEAM SERVES AS A LINK BETWEEN COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK, AND THE RESEARCH AND POLICY THAT AFFECT MAINE PEOPLE AND ECOSYSTEMS. THROUGH PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC, AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER COLLEAGUES, PARTNERS, AND CONSTITUENTS IN COASTAL AND WATERSHED COMMUNITIES, THE TEAM IS WELL- POSITIONED TO EVALUATE NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPOND RAPIDLY AS ISSUES OR CONCERNS EMERGE. THE TEAM FACILITATES TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION, SHARING SCIENCE-BASED INFORMATION, AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMMING TO ADDRESS NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND EMERGING ISSUES AMONG AND BETWEEN THE AFFECTED PARTIES AND PARTNERS. EDUCATION - MAINE SEA GRANT ENGAGES PK-16 STUDENTS, GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS IN EVIDENCE-BASED LEARNING, RESEARCH, AND MONITORING. OUR STAFF ENGAGE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS THROUGH MENTORSHIP, INTERNSHIP, AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS, STUDENTS AND LEARNERS OF ALL AGES SEEKING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN MARINE AND COASTAL SECTORS. OUTCOMES FOR EACH STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA ARE DETAILED IN THE 2024-2027 MAINE SEA GRANT STRATEGIC PLAN. PROGRESS WILL BE TRACKED AND REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT OFFICE ANNUALLY VIA NATIONAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND METRICS WITH ANNUAL TARGETS. RESEARCH PROPOSA

DEMONSTRATING A REDUCED-FOOTPRINT SYNTHETIC ROPE MOORING SYSTEM THAT MINIMIZES FISHING IMPACTS AND COSTS FOR A 10MW+ FLOATING WIND TURBINE

TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANTS TO STUDENTS FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE DISRUPTION OF CAMPUS OPERATIONS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS.

EARLY READING FIRST

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - THE FY24 HRSA UMA NURSING PROGRAM AND CYBERSECURITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE RENOVATION OF 14 MARKETPLACE DRIVE. THIS RENOVATION INCLUDES COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXISTING SPACE THAT WIL HOUSE NURSING SIMULATION LABS, CYBERSECURITY RANGE AND TRAINING SPACE, AND OFFICES TO SUPPORT FACULTY THAT TEACH IN THE SPACE. REFURBISHING THE ACQUIRED LEASED SPACE TO CREATE UMA‘S CAPITAL CENTER FOR NURSING AND CYBERSECURITY SIMULATION WILL SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES TO GET THE TRAINING AND SIMULATION PROGRAM SPACE UP AND RUNNING AND ALLOW UMA TO REALLOCATE EXISTING CAPITAL LINES TO COVER BUILDING LEASE COSTS). SIMULATION IS AN INTEGRAL PIECE OF THE PEDAGOGY IN NURSING EDUCATION. CURRENTLY OUR PROGRAM IS HOUSED AT THE BACK ENTRANCE OF THE AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER. IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR GROWING PROGRAM, A NEWLY DEFINED DEDICATED SPACE IS ESSENTIAL. WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO RUN SIMULATIONS CONCURRENTLY FOR DIFFERENT COURSES WHICH MAKES THE SCHEDULING OF COURSES CHALLENGING AT BEST. A LARGER SPACE AND DESIGNED FLOOR PLAN/SIM SPACE WOULD ALLOW MORE COURSES TO RUN CONCURRENTLY OPENING THE OPTION FOR WHEN CLASSES ARE OFFERED FOR STUDENTS. THE CYBER RANGE IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR TRAINING IN CYBERSECURITY. BUILDING ON THE CURRENT SUPPORTED EARMARK, THIS GRANT WOULD HELP TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING CENTER TO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY TO MUNICIPALITIES WHO ARE COMING ONTO CAMPUS TO GET TRAINED. EQUIPMENT INCLUDED ON THE BUDGET INCLUDES FURNITURE AND OTHER SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT TO COMPLETE THE SPACE FOR OCCUPANCY AND USE AS DESIGNATED.

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION

UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL: MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

DESCRIPTION:THE NEW ENGLAND ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER (NEEFC) SEEKS FUNDS FROM SNEP TO CONTINUE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK (NETWORK) IN THE SNEP REGION. NEEFC IS THE AWARDEE IN THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE NETWORK GRANT (SE-00A00655) THAT STARTED IN 2019. NEEFC SEEKS TO CONTINUE THE NETWORK AND EXPAND UPON ITS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CAPACITY TO COMMUNITIES IN THE SNEP REGION.ACTIVITIES:NEEFC WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER A PRE-APPROVED CONSULTANT POOL THAT WILL ENABLE TO NETWORK TO OFFER THEIR SERVICES WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH A PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE SLOW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DOWN. NEEFC IS ALSO PLANNING TO ADD A NEW ON DEMAND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICE WHERE COMMUNITIES CAN RECEIVE 1-1 DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM NEEFC OR PARTNERS ON DESIGNATED TOPICS FREE OF CHARGE FOR 1-HOUR PERIODS TO HELP THEM IN THOSE SPECIFIC TOPICS. NEEFC IS PLANNING ON CALLING THIS ITS 'OFFICE HOURS' AND IS DESIGNING IT TO HELP LOCAL OFFICIALS CONNECT WITH THE BEST FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER GRANT OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED IN THE SNEP REGION.SUBRECIPIENT:WHILE NEEFC IS LOCATED IN MAINE, THE PRIMARY WORK WILL OCCUR THROUGH SUBAWARDS IN RHODE ISLAND, CAPE COD, AND SOUTHERN MA. NEEFC WILL GIVE SUBAWARDS TO LOCAL PARTNERS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITIES IN THE SNEP REGION TO COMPLETE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS. WORK COULD INCLUDE PLANNING, MONITORING, AND WORKSHOPS AMONG OTHER THINGS ALL RELATED TO WATER QUALITY ISSUE IN THE REGION. OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES FROM THIS PROJECT INCLUDE CUSTOMIZED ASSISTANCE THROUGH TRAINING, CONSULTATION, AND OTHER SERVICES TO HELP MUNICIPALITIES, TRIBES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES BETTER ASSESS AND ADDRESS CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NEEDS, BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS ON THEIR OWN., AND ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY OFFERING ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, TRIBES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING, PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, AND WATERSHED RESTORATION PLANNING. THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS, MUNICIPALITIES, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

DEMONSTRATING A 10-12 MW FLOATING WIND TURBINE BY 2022

COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANTS CONGRESSIONALLY DELEGATED

PURPOSE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING AWARDS ARE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 PUBLIC LAW 117-328 AND THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR DIVISION L OF THAT ACT. PROJECTS SELECTED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ARE LISTED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) THAT ACCOMPANIES A SPECIFIC FISCAL YEAR’S APPROPRIATIONS ACT OR CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. THE JES LISTS PROJECT, RECIPIENT, STATE, AMOUNT AND CONGRESSIONAL SPONSOR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING AWARD PROJECTS INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES. HUD WILL NOT KNOW THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE RECIPIENT SUBMITS THE REQUIRED PROJECT NARRATIVE AND CONFIRMS ALIGNMENT WITH THE LANGUAGE AS PROVIDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. TO FIND THE DETAILS OF THE GRANT AWARD AS WRITTEN WITHIN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD USE THE FOLLOWING LINK AND PATH SELECTIONS TO GET TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING GRANTS HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/EDI-GRANTS, SELECT THE FISCAL YEAR OF INTEREST, SCROLL DOWN TO PROGRAM LAWS AND REGULATIONS, UNDER FISCAL YEAR 20XX CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20XX: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT).; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SUBSEQUENT APPROVED PROJECT NARRATIVE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PROJECT BENEFICIARIES ARE THE INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS OR SERVED BY THE ENTITIES THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE JES RECIPIENT OR PROJECT DESCRIPTION SECTIONS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS

RII TRACK-2 FEC: HARNESSING SPATIOTEMPORAL DATA SCIENCE TO PREDICT RESPONSES OF BIODIVERSITY AND RURAL COMMUNITIES UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE

VAWA MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS INITIATIVE

RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

PURPOSE: THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS IN 1966 (AMENDED IN 2008, PUBLIC LAW 110-394) TO BE A HIGHLY LEVERAGED FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERSHIP TO HARNESS THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY OF THE NATIONS UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND GENERATE OPPORTUNITIES IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES. FOR OVER 50 YEARS, THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED COASTAL AND GREAT LAKES COMMUNITIES THROUGH RESEARCH, EXTENSION AND EDUCATION. SEA GRANT'S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE PRACTICAL USE AND CONSERVATION OF COASTAL, MARINE AND GREAT LAKES RESOURCES IN ORDER TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT. THIS GRANT IS THE VEHICLE THROUGH WHICH MAINE SEA GRANT LAYS OUT ITS PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THE GOALS LAID OUT IN IN THEIR FY2018-23 STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTPS://SEAGRANT.NOAA.GOV/INSIDESEAGRANT/PLANNING IN ADDITION TO REQUIRED GRANT PROGRESS REPORTING, THE RECIPIENT WILL REPORT DEFINED MEASURES AND METRICS AS

MAINE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: E-CORE RII: STRENGTHENING MAINE'S RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM AND PATHWAYS THROUGH STRATEGIC CAPACITY BUILDING -THIS PROJECT'S VISION AND GOALS REFLECT A STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT THAT INCLUDED MAINE?S JURISDICTIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE. STATEWIDE PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE THE MAINE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ALLIANCE, GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FORT KENT, AND SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THESE PARTNERS WILL LEVERAGE CURRENT AND EVOLVING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS TO ENHANCE THE GROWTH OF THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) ECOSYSTEM IN MAINE. THE PROJECT INCLUDES FOUR SYNERGISTIC CORES THAT AIM TO SUPPORT BUILDING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH CAPACITY IN MAINE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE CORE WILL ADVANCE DIVERSITY, COORDINATION, EVALUATION, REPORTING, GROWTH, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE STATE. THE K-16/WORKFORCE READINESS CORE WILL ADDRESS STEM WORKER SHORTAGES AND DEVELOP PATHWAYS TO BROADEN THE PARTICIPATION OF INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE?S RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM. THESE EFFORTS WILL FOCUS ON PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, EMERGING RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND YOUTH FROM BACKGROUNDS TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM). THE ACADEMIC FACILITIES AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE CORE WILL INVEST IN EARLY CAREER FACULTY, INCENTIVIZE COLLABORATION ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS AND DISCIPLINES, AND STRENGTHEN R&D THROUGH SEED GRANTS THAT ALIGN WITH MAINE?S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PLAN. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND USE-INSPIRED CORE WILL GENERATE NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RESEARCH TRANSLATION AND HOW TO MEASURE AND COMMUNICATE THE IMPACT OF SPECIFIC R&D INVESTMENTS TO INFORM DECISION-MAKERS. TEAM SCIENCE IS BUILT INTO THE PROJECT TO SUPPORT ITS LEADERS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCS. THE OVERARCHING SOCIETAL BENEFIT OF THE PROJECT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENHANCED AND PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM THAT FULLY ENGAGES DIFFERENT INSTITUTION TYPES AND SECTORS. THIS E-CORE RII PROJECT WILL ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO INCREASE R&D COMPETITIVENESS IN RURAL AREAS. BUILDING STRONG NETWORKS ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS WILL CREATE AND SUSTAIN AN INCLUSIVE STATEWIDE NETWORK CONNECTING MAJOR RESEARCH EFFORTS AND INDIVIDUALS. THE PROJECT HAS POTENTIAL TO GENERATE NEW, ACTIONABLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW SYNERGISTIC INTERVENTIONS, INTEGRATED ACROSS FOUR CORES THAT UNDERGIRD RESEARCH CAPACITY, CAN STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM WITHIN MAINE SPECIFICALLY, AND, MORE GENERALLY, WITHIN RURAL STATES WITH LIMITED AND HIGHLY DISTRIBUTED RESEARCH AND STEM ASSETS. THE PROJECT INCLUDES A FRAMEWORK FOR AN EVIDENCE-BASED INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO PREPARE STEM FACULTY IN INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND FOSTER SYSTEMIC CHANGES IN MAINE?S INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY ITS STEM WORKFORCE. ADDITIONALLY, PROJECT CORES WILL DEPLOY CONVERGENT RESEARCH APPROACHES GROUNDED IN SOCIOCULTURAL LEARNING THEORY AND RESEARCH-TO-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS TO GENERATE NEW KNOWLEDGE REGARDING (I) COLLABORATION AMONG STEM EDUCATORS, (II) PATHWAYS TO STEM EDUCATION, (III) ACQUISITION OF STEM CONTENT, AND (IV) INDIGENOUS SCIENCES INTEGRATION INTO THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM THROUGH DIALOGUES LED BY CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS. SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE: A NEW INDIGENOUS SCIENCE PROGRAM; NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO SERVE UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH WITH AUTHENTIC STEM RESEARCH EXPERIENCES; AND RESEARCH AND WORK-READINESS EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES, GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS. LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES INCLUDE: IMPROVED FACULTY RETENTION AND RELATED INCREASES IN FACULTY PRODUCTIVITY; FULLER PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH BY INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE; IMPROVED STAKEHOLDER UNDERSTANDING OF THE POSITIVE IMPACTS OF R&D INVESTMENT; GREATER ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN STEM; A MORE ROBUST INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR MAINE?S STEM WORKFORCE; AND MORE START-UP BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPACITY, AND COMMERCIALIZATION OUTCOMES. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

PURPOSE: FUNDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MESONET IN THE STATE OF MAINE, THE WEATHER STATION NETWORK (WSN), A CONGRESSIONALLY-DIRECTED SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROJECT REQUESTED BY SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS AND SENATOR ANGUS KING JR. AND IDENTIFIED IN THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024 (P.L. 118-42), SIGNED INTO LAW ON MARCH 9, 2024. MESONETS ARE INTERCONNECTED NETWORKS OF INSTRUMENTED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING STATIONS ACROSS AN ENTIRE STATE, OR A SMALL FOOTPRINT OF A STATE/REGION. THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROVIDED WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MAINE MESONET OF UP TO 26 AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE TO IMPROVE PRECISE AND TIMELY WARNING OF SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAKS AND GREATLY ENHANCE THE STATES WEATHER PREDICTION AND CLIMATE MONITORING CAPABILITIES.

A RISING TIDE: ADVANCING WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: RII TRACK-2 FEC: STORM: DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES FOR SECURE ELECTRIC GRIDS IN COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE -RII TRACK-2 FEC: STORM: DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES FOR SECURE ELECTRIC GRIDS IN COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE INVOLVES THE JURISDICTIONS OF MAINE, ALASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA AND PUERTO RICO. THE PROPOSED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WILL ADVANCE THE NATION?S SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND RELATED SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HURRICANES, BLIZZARDS, FLOODING, AND RAPID SHIFTS IN TEMPERATURE. STORM WILL BENEFIT FROM EXPERTS IN ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, ECONOMICS, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE, CLIMATOLOGY, AND MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS. FACULTY AND STUDENTS WILL CO-PRODUCE KNOWLEDGE WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, USING CONVERGENT APPROACHES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO SOLVING COMPLEX PROBLEMS. RESEARCH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ARE BUILT AROUND THREE INTERSECTING THEMES: (1) ENGAGEMENT OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION FOR MICROGRID DESIGN; (2) IMPROVEMENT OF POWER GRID RESILIENCE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACCELERATED BIG DATA MODELING, ESTIMATION, AND SECURE CONTROL FRAMEWORKS, AND (3) DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONALLY RELEVANT CYBER-PHYSICAL RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR STUDYING COMMUNITY ENGAGED DATA-DRIVEN OPERATION OF POWER GRIDS. EACH THEME WILL INVOLVE EARLY CAREER AND SENIOR FACULTY TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE MENTORING. RESEARCH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO DEVELOP PILOT PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH DATA THAT WILL LEAD TO SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY. PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INDIGENOUS TRIBES, MUNICIPALITIES, ELECTRICAL UTILITIES/COOPERATIVES, NONPROFITS, START-UP AND ESTABLISHED COMPANIES, AND FEDERAL LABORATORIES. STORM WILL ENCOURAGE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION THROUGH ITS WORK WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS, EARLY CAREER FACULTY, FEDERAL LABORATORIES AND INDUSTRY. EFFORTS TO BROADEN PARTICIPATION IN STEM WILL BE ENHANCED THROUGH TWO INSTITUTIONS IN PARTICULAR. THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, FAIRBANKS (UAF) IS AN ALASKA NATIVE AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN-SERVING NONTRIBAL INSTITUTION. THE UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MAYAGUEZ AN HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION. IT IS ONE OF THE TOP PRODUCERS OF HISPANIC ENGINEERS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION. THE ELECTRIC GRID, AMONG THE MOST COMPLEX HUMAN-MADE SYSTEMS, IS VITAL TO U.S. SECURITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE. MORE FREQUENT AND INTENSE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AS WELL AS OTHER ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL AND CYBER-ATTACKS, ARE TESTING THE RESILIENCE OF OUR NATION?S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. STORM IS BUILT AROUND THREE INTERRELATED THEMES IN RESPONSE TO THIS CHALLENGE. THEME 1 FOCUSES ON ENGAGING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION FOR MICROGRID DESIGN. THEME 1 APPROACHES ARE NOVEL IN TERMS OF THE CO-PRODUCTION OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURALLY DISTINCT REGIONS; THE CO-DESIGN OF SOLUTIONS WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF RESEARCHERS WITH SOCIAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BACKGROUNDS WHOSE EXPERIENCES SPAN THE STUDY REGIONS, AND APPLICATIONS OF LESSONS LEARNED FROM EACH OF THE THREE STUDY REGIONS, TO THE OTHERS. WHILE THEME 1 FOCUSES ON MICROGRID PLANNING TO MEET THE RESILIENCY GOALS OF COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, THEME 2 SEEKS TO INCREASE THE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND MITIGATE THE IMPACT IN THE ELECTRIC GRID ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE GOALS DURING AND AFTER AN EXTREME WEATHER EVENT. THEME 2?S NEW MULTI-MICROGRID SYSTEM RESTORATION STRATEGY WILL PRIORITIZE CRITICAL LOADS AT THE COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL LEVELS BASED ON A NEW MULTI-TIMESCALE PREDICTIVE CONTROL AND ESTIMATION FRAMEWORK THAT UTILIZES GFM INVERTERS TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL DYNAMIC SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS. NOVEL HARDWARE TROJAN PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND MITIGATION TECHNIQUES WILL ADVANCE CYBER-ATTACK RESILIENCE OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DURING SEVERE WEATHER. THEME 3 SEEKS TO DEVELOP REGIONALLY-RELEVANT CYBER-PHYSICAL RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR STUDYING COMMUNITY-ENGAGED, DATA-DRIVEN OPERATION OF POWER GRIDS. THE NEW, REGIONALLY RELEVANT SYNTHETIC POWER SYSTEMS, CLIMATE, AND SOCIOECONOMIC DATA WILL BE IMMENSELY VALUABLE TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF DATA SCIENCE, MACHINE LEARNING, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLIED TO THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY IN THESE UNDERSERVED JURISDICTIONS. STORM WILL BENEFIT FROM STRONG EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDING A SUCCESSFUL DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EPSCOR PROJECT ON MODELING CONVERTER DOMINATED POWER SYSTEMS. STORM ALSO BUILDS UPON SENIOR PERSONNEL?S PARTNERSHIPS WITH SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORY, NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY. IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY INDUSTRY/COMMUNITY PARTNERS (KARTORIUM, KOTZEBUE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, EAST RIVER ELECTRIC CO-OP, MISSOURI RIVER ENERGY SERVICES, NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, SIEMENS, SIOUX VALLEY ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR GALENA, AND VERSANT POWER). THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTERS PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTERS PROGRAM

PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT OVW GRANTEE REPORTING

NEXT GENERATION HARSH-ENVIRONMENT MATERIALS AND WIRELESS SENSOR TECHNIQUES FOR ENERGY SECTOR APPLICATIONS

STRENGTHENING MAINE’S RURAL EDUCATION WORKFORCE

NRT-NNA: SYSTEMS APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING AND NAVIGATING THE NEW ARCTIC (SAUNNA)

SUPPORT OF CELLULOSE COMPOSITES OF BLAST PROTECTION

MAINE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER 21-26

MAINE EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM

PURPOSE: THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE (UMAINE) ANALYTICAL LABORATORY AND SOIL TESTING SERVICE (MAINE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY) IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE, TEACHING, AND SERVICES ACROSS THE NORTHEAST. IT PROVIDES FACULTY, CONSULTING FIRMS, LABORATORIES, STATE AGENCIES, AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES, AND HOMEOWNERS RELIABLE DATA ON THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL, MANURE, COMPOST, PLANT TISSUE, AND RELATED MATERIALS ON WHICH TO BASE DECISIONS RELATED TO NATURAL RESOURCES. IT ALSO PROVIDES RESEARCHERS NECESSARY TOOLS TO ADVANCE DISCOVERY IN AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, EARTH SCIENCE, ECOLOGY, AND RELATED FIELDS. THE STAKEHOLDERS RELY ON ROBUST AND TRUSTWORTHY DATA, WHICH REQUIRES MODERN PREPARATION EQUIPMENT AND ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION. THIS PROJECT PROVIDES THESE TOOLS TO MODERNIZE THE LABORATORY AND THEREBY FACILITATE THE HIGH VOLUME OF HIGH QUALITY ANALYSES PERFORMED BY THE LAB YEAR AFTER YEAR.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: AS PART OF THIS PROJECT WE PLAN TO RENOVATE OR UTILIZE THE FOLLOWING SPACES, TOTALING ~6839 SQUARE FEET, OF WHICH ~5206 SQUARE FEET WILL UNDERGO RENOVATION.EXPECTED OUTCOMES: WITH MODERNIZATION, THE MAINE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY WILL STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION AS A LEADER IN RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND SERVICES IN THE NORTHEAST AND NATIONALLY. THE NEW CAPACITY OF THIS LABORATORY WILL:* BOLSTER MAINES ABILITY TO DRIVE PFAS RESEARCH AND LEADERSHIP; * ENABLE OUR RESEARCHERS TO CARRY OUT THE WORK THAT ADDRESSES CURRENT AND FUTURE ISSUES SUCH AS FOOD INSECURITY, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND BUILDING LOCAL ECONOMIES TO BE RESILIENT AND ADAPTABLE IN THE FACE OF GLOBAL CHANGE; * SUPPORT CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND WORKFORCE TRAINING NEEDED BY STATE AGENCIES AND FEDERAL PARTNERS INCLUDING USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE; AND * IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR THE $681M AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN MAINE.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE MAINE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY IS THE BACKBONE OF MUCH OF THE RESEARCH DONE BY NEARLY 90 FACULTY SUPPORTED BY THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION, AND NUMEROUS OTHERS IN COLLEGES ACROSS UMAINE AND THE NORTHEAST. IN RECENT YEARS, A TOTAL OF OVER 20,000 STANDARD SOIL TESTS WERE RUN, INCLUDING OVER 11,000 FROM MAINE, FOR OVER 3500 CUSTOMERS. THE MAINE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE LAB OF ITS TYPE IN NEW ENGLAND, PROVIDING MANY CRITICAL SOIL, PLANT, COMPOST, AND MANURE TESTING SERVICES THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN LABS IN NEIGHBORING STATES. WE MUST ENSURE THIS CRITICAL SERVICE MODERNIZES AND GROWS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE REGION AND THE NATION, TO SUPPORT RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION IN A CHANGING WORLD. IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT AND FUTURE INITIATIVES RELATED TO ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE-RELATED ISSUES, WE MUST MAINTAIN HIGH-QUALITY ANALYTICAL CAPACITY.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) IN NURSING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SCHOOL OF NURSING: EXPANDING MAINE’S NURSING WORKFORCE PIPELINE BY LAUNCHING ITS FIRST PH.D. IN NURSING PROGRAM

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO FUND RESEARCH TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) THAT SUPPORTS FARMERS, CITIZENS AND THE MAINE ECONOMY AND GAIN A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THESE COMPOUNDS MOVE WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE FOOD SYSTEM.ACTIVITIES:THE DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL METHODOLOGIES FOR ANALYZING, QUANTIFYING, DEGRADING, AND RENDERING PFAS COMPOUNDS INERT WILL BE VITAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR PFAS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO FUND RESEARCH PROPOSALS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE THAT ADVANCE THIS UNDERSTANDING, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE PFAS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND INFORMED FARM MANAGEMENT DECISIONS.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE ANNUAL AND FINAL RESEARCH REPORTS. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE FARMERS, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGERS, AND RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF MAINE.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: STRENGTHENING THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR DECISION-MAKING: ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE-ACTION CAPACITIES IN C

GCCMIF-WIND ENERGY LAB

NRT: ONE HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT (OH&E): CONVERGENCE OF SOCIAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

NRT: ENHANCING CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM

PURPOSE: MARINE DEBRIS AUDITS SUGGEST THAT SINGLE USE FOOD PACKAGING CONTINUES TO GENERATE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF MARINE DEBRIS, AND THAT SHARE IS ONLY PROJECTED TO GROW WITH THE POPULARITY OF CONVENIENCE AND TAKE OUT FOODS. IF LARGE-SCALE SHIFTS IN OUR PACKAGING MATERIALS, REUSE OF FOOD SERVING SYSTEMS, AND REPLACEMENTS FOR SINGLE-USE PLASTICS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, THEN THE INFLOW OF PLASTICS COULD BE REDUCED ON A GLOBAL SCALE. LIGNOCELLULOSE AND BIO-SOURCED MATERIALS ARE SUSTAINABLE, SAFE FOR FOOD PACKAGING, CAN OFTEN BE RECYCLED, AND BREAK DOWN TO BENIGN SUBSTANCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT. HOWEVER, THE PERFORMANCE AND COST OFTEN DO NOT MATCH UP TO PETROLEUM DERIVED PLASTICS. PUBLIC CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY ACCEPTANCE OF THESE NOVEL SOLUTIONS, LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS, AND TECHNICAL-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROCESSES WILL BE CONDUCTED. THE GOAL IS TO LOWER THE BARRIERS FOR COMPANIES TO ENTER THE SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING MARKET, AND UNDERSTAND SLOW RESOURCE LOOPS THAT HELP REDUCE THE INFLOW OF PLAST

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM 2.997MIL - FY23 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING

NRT: ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE IN THE FACE OF RAPID OCEAN CHANGE: A CONVERGENCE APPROACH -NRT: ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE IN THE FACE OF RAPID OCEAN CHANGE: A CONVERGENCE APPROACH THIS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP (NRT) AWARD TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE WILL LEVERAGE THE UNIQUE RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MAINE TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, MANAGERS, AND POLICYMAKERS IN A NEW, CONVERGENT APPROACH TO ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE. RESEARCHERS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL GENERATE, INTEGRATE, AND APPLY TRANSDISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE TO INFORM RESPONSES TO RAPID OCEAN CHANGE. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WILL DEVELOP NEW WAYS OF UNDERSTANDING AND CREATING DATA, KNOWLEDGE, AND TOOLS THAT CAN BE LEVERAGED TO ENABLE ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACHES. THE NRT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES WILL HELP TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING MAINE?S COASTAL COMMUNITIES, AND ARE RELEVANT TO OTHER NATURAL RESOURCE DEPENDENT RURAL COMMUNITIES. THIS NRT WILL ALSO BENEFIT SOCIETY BY BROADENING PARTICIPATION IN MARINE SCIENCE THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT OF TRAINEES FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS AND TRAINING A WORKFORCE THAT RECOGNIZES THE FULL ARRAY OF KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENT (EBM) AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. PROJECT PARTICIPANTS WILL CONTRIBUTE SCIENCE AND TOOLS THAT LOCAL, STATE, TRIBAL AND FEDERAL RESOURCE MANAGERS CAN USE TO ENABLE ECOSYSTEM-BASED RESPONSES TO RAPID OCEAN CHANGE AND DEVELOP INTEGRATIVE DATA STREAMS AND TOOLS THAT BLEND TRADITIONAL AND LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE, EXISTING FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE APPROACHES, AND NEW AND EMERGENT DATA STREAMS. THE CAPACITY OF SCIENTISTS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER COASTAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS WILL BE STRENGTHENED AS THEY ARE MORE FULLY PREPARED TO ENGAGE IN SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED SCIENCE AND STEWARDSHIP. THIS NRT PROJECT ANTICIPATES TRAINING AT LEAST 45 GRADUATE STUDENTS (22 PHD, 23 MS) OVER 5 YEARS, INCLUDING 23 NSF-FUNDED TRAINEES (11 PHD, 12 MS). THIS NRT WILL ENCOURAGE SCHOLARS FROM ACROSS THE NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES TO ADVANCE EBM KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE, WHILE EMPOWERING COMMUNITY, TRIBAL, AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS TO ENGAGE MORE DEEPLY IN ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE AND STEWARDSHIP. EBM REFERS TO PLACE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN INTERACTIONS WITH MARINE SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEMS THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SYSTEM; RECOGNIZES THE RECIPROCAL AND MULTIFACETED CONNECTIONS AMONG PEOPLE AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM, AND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE MULTIPLE SOCIETAL GOALS. THE NRT WILL DEVELOP AND INSTITUTIONALIZE A NEW CURRICULUM AND ACADEMIC CULTURE THROUGH COURSEWORK, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH; BUILD COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT CAPACITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO EBM IN MAINE AND BEYOND, CREATE A NOVEL MODEL FOR ENGAGING DIVERSE TRAINEES IN PLACE-BASED, SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED SCIENCE, AND DEVELOP WAYS OF FOR INTEGRATING AND COMMUNICATING BIG DATA FROM COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE, ECOLOGY, GENOMICS, OCEANOGRAPHY, AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES WITH TRADITIONAL AND LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE TO ADVANCE ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE AND IMPROVE STEWARDSHIP OF OCEAN SYSTEMS. THROUGH THE CONVERGENCE OF LOCAL AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, FINE-SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DATA, AND NEW AND EMERGING DATA-DRIVEN METHODS, THIS NRT PROGRAM WILL DEVELOP THE INTELLECTUAL FRONTIER AND APPLICATIONS OF COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE IN NEW WAYS. THE TEAM WILL GENERATE AND SYNTHESIZE EMPIRICAL INFORMATION AND DEVELOP AND TEST THEORIES DEEPLY RELEVANT TO ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE, AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS SCIENCE. TRAINEES WILL GENERATE DATA, KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE MAINE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?S CLIMATE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES. THE NSF RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP (NRT) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BOLD, NEW POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMATIVE MODELS FOR STEM GRADUATE EDUCATION TRAINING. THE PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO EFFECTIVE TRAINING OF STEM GRADUATE STUDENTS IN HIGH PRIORITY INTERDISCIPLINARY OR CONVERGENT RESEARCH AREAS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE TRAINEESHIP MODELS THAT ARE INNOVATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED, AND ALIGNED WITH CHANGING WORKFORCE AND RESEARCH NEEDS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** ON-FARM INTEGRATION OF ORGANIC MANAGEMENT OF SPOTTED-WING DROSOPHILA IN FRUIT CROPS

MAINE TIDAL POWER INITIATIVE

IGERT: ADAPTATION TO ABRUPT CLIMATE CHANGE (A2C2)

PERCUTANEOUS MITRAL VALVE REPAIR: A VALIDATED FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION MODEL

TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

TRIO SCHOLARS STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

RDE-RAD: EAST ALLIANCE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN STEM- PHASE 2

ADD CORE GRANT: UNIVERSITY CENTERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND SERVICE

UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE

ADD CORE GRANT: UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND SERVICE

THERMOCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF WOODY BIOMASS TO FUELS AND CHEMICALS

THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS A PARTNERSHIP OF COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH SMITH-LEVER CAPACITY FUNDING AND UNIVERSITY MATCH AT THE CORE. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS GIVEN US THE CAPACITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MAINE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. TODAY OVER 190 FACULTY AND PROFESSIONALS CONTRIBUTE TO OUTREACH, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF RELEVANT PROGRAMMING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MAINE. BUOYED BY A STRONG RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION, WE ENSURE OUR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS MEET LOCAL NEEDS BY GROUNDING THEM WITH INPUT FROM ADVISORY GROUPS, REGULAR MEETINGS WITH CONSTITUENCY GROUPS, COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND THROUGH DIRECT FACULTY AND STAFF INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS. BY CONDUCTING EXTENSION PROGRAMS IN EVERY MAINE COUNTY, WE SUPPORT UMAINE'S PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE ROLE AS A LAND- AND SEA-GRANT INSTITUTION. EXTENSION HELPS SUPPORT, SUSTAIN, AND GROW THE FOOD-BASED ECONOMY, AND CONDUCTS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN MAINE THROUGH 4-H. WE REACH MANY OF MAINE'S MOST DIVERSE PEOPLE AND WE MAKE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITIES, RACIAL MINORITIES INCLUDING NATIVE AMERICANS, AND NEW IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. OUR PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FIVE CRITICAL ISSUES: ? MAINE FOOD SYSTEM THROUGH RESEARCH AND OUTREACH RELATED TO AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION, BUSINESS EDUCATION, FOOD SAFETY, AND HUMAN NUTRITION TO CREATE A SAFER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCREASINGLY PRODUCTIVE FOOD SYSTEM. THROUGH THE MARINE EXTENSION TEAM, WE COLLABORATE WITH MAINE SEA GRANT TO PROVIDE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMING TO COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES AND FISHING INDUSTRIES. OUR DIAGNOSTIC AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES FOR VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS, AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH, ARTHROPOD, AND PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS PROVIDES RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, AND WILDLIFE. THE LAB BENEFITSMAINE BY PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCE- AND FOODBASED ECONOMIES, ADDING TO FOOD SAFETY AND HUMAN HEALTH, AND PROVIDING UNIQUE DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING SERVICES TO FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC. ? POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH 4-H PROGRAMS WITH A FOCUS ON THE STEM DISCIPLINES TO BOOST YOUTH EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, AND LIFE SUCCESS. ? SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS RELATED TO SMALL AND HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES, COMMUNITY ASSETS, FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES, AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES TO INCREASE THE PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES AND PROVIDE RESEARCH SUPPORT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND AND ADAPT TO ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES. ? CLIMATE CHANGE BY DELIVERING NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE, AND THROUGH OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE CLIMATE CHANGE INSTITUTE. ? SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES, FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE, WILDLIFE, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCES TO HELP THE STATE MANAGE THESE RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY.

HIGH ENERGY COST GRANT

THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS A PARTNERSHIP OF COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH SMITH-LEVER CAPACITY FUNDING AND UNIVERSITY MATCH AT THE CORE. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS GIVEN US THE CAPACITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MAINE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. TODAY OVER 190 FACULTY AND PROFESSIONALS CONTRIBUTE TO OUTREACH, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF RELEVANT PROGRAMMING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MAINE. BUOYED BY A STRONG RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION, WE ENSURE OUR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS MEET LOCAL NEEDS BY GROUNDING THEM WITH INPUT FROM ADVISORY GROUPS, REGULAR MEETINGS WITH CONSTITUENCY GROUPS, COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND THROUGH DIRECT FACULTY AND STAFF INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS. BY CONDUCTING EXTENSION PROGRAMS IN EVERY MAINE COUNTY, WE SUPPORT UMAINE'S PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE ROLE AS A LAND- AND SEA-GRANT INSTITUTION. EXTENSION HELPS SUPPORT, SUSTAIN, AND GROW THE FOOD-BASED ECONOMY, AND CONDUCTS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN MAINE THROUGH 4-H. WE REACH MANY OF MAINE'S MOST DIVERSE PEOPLE AND WE MAKE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITIES, RACIAL MINORITIES INCLUDING NATIVE AMERICANS, AND NEW IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. OUR PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FIVE CRITICAL ISSUES: MAINE FOOD SYSTEM: THROUGH RESEARCH AND OUTREACH RELATED TO AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION, BUSINESS EDUCATION, FOOD SAFETY, AND HUMAN NUTRITION TO CREATE A SAFER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCREASINGLY PRODUCTIVE FOOD SYSTEM. THROUGH THE MARINE EXTENSION TEAM, WE COLLABORATE WITH MAINE SEA GRANT TO PROVIDE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMING TO COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES AND FISHING INDUSTRIES. OUR DIAGNOSTIC AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES FOR VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS, AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH, ARTHROPOD, AND PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS PROVIDES RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, AND WILDLIFE. THE LAB BENEFITS MAINE BY PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCE- AND FOOD-BASED ECONOMIES, ADDING TO FOOD SAFETY AND HUMAN HEALTH, AND PROVIDING UNIQUE DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING SERVICES TO FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC; POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THROUGH 4-H PROGRAMS WITH A FOCUS ON THE STEM DISCIPLINES TO BOOST YOUTH EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, AND LIFE SUCCESS; SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS RELATED TO SMALL AND HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES, COMMUNITY ASSETS, FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES, AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES TO INCREASE THE PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES AND PROVIDE RESEARCH SUPPORT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND AND ADAPT TO ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES; CLIMATE CHANGE BY DELIVERING NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE, AND THROUGH OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE CLIMATE CHANGE INSTITUTE; SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES, FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE, WILDLIFE, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCES TO HELP THE STATE MANAGE THESE RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS A PARTNERSHIP OF COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH SMITH-LEVER CAPACITY FUNDING AND UNIVERSITY MATCH AT THE CORE. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS GIVEN US THE CAPACITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MAINE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. TODAY OVER 190 FACULTY AND PROFESSIONALS CONTRIBUTE TO OUTREACH, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF RELEVANT PROGRAMMING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MAINE. BUOYED BY A STRONG RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION, WE ENSURE OUR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS MEET LOCAL NEEDS BY GROUNDING THEM WITH INPUT FROM ADVISORY GROUPS, REGULAR MEETINGS WITH CONSTITUENCY GROUPS, COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND THROUGH DIRECT FACULTY AND STAFF INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS. BY CONDUCTING EXTENSION PROGRAMS IN EVERY MAINE COUNTY, WE SUPPORT UMAINE'S PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE ROLE AS A LAND- AND SEA-GRANT INSTITUTION. EXTENSION HELPS SUPPORT, SUSTAIN, AND GROW THE FOOD-BASED ECONOMY, AND CONDUCTS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN MAINE THROUGH 4-H. WE REACH MANY OF MAINE'S MOST DIVERSE PEOPLE AND WE MAKE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITIES, RACIAL MINORITIES INCLUDING NATIVE AMERICANS, AND NEW IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. OUR PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FIVE CRITICAL ISSUES: MAINE FOOD SYSTEM: THROUGH RESEARCH AND OUTREACH RELATED TO AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION, BUSINESS EDUCATION, FOOD SAFETY, AND HUMAN NUTRITION TO CREATE A SAFER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCREASINGLY PRODUCTIVE FOOD SYSTEM. THROUGH THE MARINE EXTENSION TEAM, WE COLLABORATE WITH MAINE SEA GRANT TO PROVIDE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMING TO COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES AND FISHING INDUSTRIES. OUR DIAGNOSTIC AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES FOR VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS, AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH, ARTHROPOD, AND PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS PROVIDES RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, AND WILDLIFE. THE LAB BENEFITS MAINE BY PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCE- AND FOOD-BASED ECONOMIES, ADDING TO FOOD SAFETY AND HUMAN HEALTH, AND PROVIDING UNIQUE DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING SERVICES TO FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC; POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THROUGH 4-H PROGRAMS WITH A FOCUS ON THE STEM DISCIPLINES TO BOOST YOUTH EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, AND LIFE SUCCESS; SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS RELATED TO SMALL AND HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES, COMMUNITY ASSETS, FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES, AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES TO INCREASE THE PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCEBASED INDUSTRIES AND PROVIDE RESEARCH SUPPORT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND AND ADAPT TO ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES; CLIMATE CHANGE BY DELIVERING NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE, AND THROUGH OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE CLIMATE CHANGE INSTITUTE; SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES, FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE, WILDLIFE, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCES TO HELP THE STATE MANAGE THESE RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY.

THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) OF 2005 REQUIRES THAT GRANTEES REPORT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR VAWA-FUNDED PROGRAMS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO, IN TURN, MUST REPORT TO CONGRESS EVERY TWO YEARS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANT-FUNDED ACTIVITIES (P.L. NO. 106-386, SECTION 1003, CODIFIED AT 34 U.S.C. § 10238). SOME OVW GRANT PROGRAMS ALSO HAVE SPECIFIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AS OUTLINED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION. IN RESPONSE TO THESE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, OVW DEVELOPED ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORTING FORMS FOR EACH OVW GRANT PROGRAM THAT TRACK GRANT-FUNDED ACTIVITIES AND INCORPORATE MEASURES TIED TO PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. GRANTEES FUNDED BY OVW REPORT CONSISTENT, QUANTITATIVE DATA THAT CAN BE AGGREGATED TO REFLECT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITHIN AND ACROSS GRANT PROGRAMS. THE REPORTING FORMS ALSO COLLECT QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ON GRANTEES’ GOALS, OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND REMAINING AREAS OF NEED. OVW USES THE INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THESE PERFORMANCE REPORTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS, INCLUDING: MONITORING GRANT ACTIVITIES, SPOTTING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS, PROVIDING INFORMATION TO A RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS ON WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITH GRANT FUNDS, IDENTIFYING PROMISING PRACTICES, MEETING REPORTING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT (GPRA) AND SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATION, RESPONDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S DATA REQUESTS RELATED TO PERFORMANCE AND BUDGET, REPORTING TO CONGRESS, AND RESPONDING TO AD HOC DATA REQUESTS FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT. TO SUPPORT OVW’S FULFILMENT OF THESE DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS, OVW ADMINISTERS THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS INITIATIVE (MEI) PRINCIPALLY TO SUPPORT GRANTEES IN MEASURING AND REPORTING INFORMATION ON THEIR VAWA-FUNDED ACTIVITIES. THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WILL SUPPORT THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF A FIVE-YEAR PROJECT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE (USM)’S MUSKIE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO CONTINUE AND ENHANCE THE MEI. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: REVIEWING, CLEANING, AND ANALYZING DATA COLLECTED FROM GRANTEE PERFORMANCE REPORTS; MAINTAINING THAT INFORMATION IN A DATABASE; WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OVW TO FULFILL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; RESPONDING TO DATA REQUESTS; PROVIDING ONGOING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OVW GRANTEES ON COLLECTING DATA TO ASSESS THEIR OWN PERFORMANCE AND ACCURATELY COMPLETING THEIR PERFORMANCE REPORTS; ASSISTING OVW IN THE PREPARATION OF REPORTS TO CONGRESS AND ADDITIONAL MATERIALS AND ANALYSES RELATED TO VAWA-FUNDED ACTIVITIES; KEEPING ABREAST OF NEWLY PUBLISHED RESEARCH AND DATA RELATED TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND INCORPORATING THAT INFORMATION INTO REPORTS AND OTHER MATERIALS; AND CREATING TOOLS TO FACILITATE PERFORMANCE DATA COLLECTION, REPORTING, AND ANALYSIS BY FORMULA PROGRAM GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS INITIAL AWARD IS 18 MONTHS.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IS A PARTNERSHIP OF COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH SMITH-LEVER CAPACITY FUNDING AND UNIVERSITY MATCH AT THE CORE. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS GIVEN US THE CAPACITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MAINE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. TODAY OVER 190 FACULTY AND PROFESSIONALS CONTRIBUTE TO OUTREACH, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF RELEVANT PROGRAMMING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF MAINE. BUOYED BY A STRONG RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION, WE ENSURE OUR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS MEET LOCAL NEEDS BY GROUNDING THEM WITH INPUT FROM ADVISORY GROUPS, REGULAR MEETINGS WITH CONSTITUENCY GROUPS, COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND THROUGH DIRECT FACULTY AND STAFF INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS. BY CONDUCTING EXTENSION PROGRAMS IN EVERY MAINE COUNTY, WE SUPPORT UMAINE'S PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE ROLE AS A LAND- AND SEA-GRANT INSTITUTION. EXTENSION HELPS SUPPORT, SUSTAIN, AND GROW THE FOOD-BASED ECONOMY, AND CONDUCTS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN MAINE THROUGH 4-H. WE REACH MANY OF MAINE'S MOST DIVERSE PEOPLE AND WE MAKE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITIES, RACIAL MINORITIES INCLUDING NATIVE AMERICANS, AND NEW IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. OUR PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FIVE CRITICAL ISSUES: MAINE FOOD SYSTEM: THROUGH RESEARCH AND OUTREACH RELATED TO AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION, BUSINESS EDUCATION, FOOD SAFETY, AND HUMAN NUTRITION TO CREATE A SAFER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCREASINGLY PRODUCTIVE FOOD SYSTEM. THROUGH THE MARINE EXTENSION TEAM, WE COLLABORATE WITH MAINE SEA GRANT TO PROVIDE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMING TO COASTAL MAINE COMMUNITIES AND FISHING INDUSTRIES. OUR DIAGNOSTIC AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES FOR VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS, AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH, ARTHROPOD, AND PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS PROVIDES RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, AND WILDLIFE. THE LAB BENEFITS MAINE BY PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCE- AND FOOD-BASED ECONOMIES, ADDING TO FOOD SAFETY AND HUMAN HEALTH, AND PROVIDING UNIQUE DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING SERVICES TO FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC; POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THROUGH 4-H PROGRAMS WITH A FOCUS ON THE STEM DISCIPLINES TO BOOST YOUTH EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, AND LIFE SUCCESS; SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS RELATED TO SMALL AND HOME-BASED BUSINESSES, HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES, COMMUNITY ASSETS, FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES, AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES TO INCREASE THE PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES AND PROVIDE RESEARCH SUPPORT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND AND ADAPT TO ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES; WEATHER IMPACTS BY DELIVERING NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP ADDRESS AND ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF WEATHER EVENTS; SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES, FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE, WILDLIFE, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MAINE'S NATURAL RESOURCES TO HELP THE STATE MANAGE THESE RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY.

FY22 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS (SL3(B) <(>&<)> (C)

THERMOCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF WOODY BIOMASS TO FUELS AND CHEMICALS

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

FY19 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS (SL3(B)&(C))

FY20 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS (SL3 (B) & (C)

FY21 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS (SL3 (B) & (C)

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS INITIATIVE 2011 - 2012

TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM 2.5MIL - FY23 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO EXPAND TICK AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON EMERGING TICK SPECIES SUCH AS THE ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK AND THE LONE STAR TICK. THE PROJECT COMBINES ACTIVE FIELD SURVEILLANCE, RESEARCH, LONG-TERM MONITORING, PASSIVE SURVEILLANCE, SERO-SURVEYS, AND OUTREACH. BY IMPROVING DATA COLLECTION AND UNDERSTANDING TICK POPULATIONS AND DISEASE DYNAMICS, THE PROJECT AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT TICK-BORNE DISEASES AND PROTECT THE HEALTH OF HUMANS, DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK, PETS, AND WILDLIFE. THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE TICK LAB'S ESTABLISHMENT OF A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF TICK AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE AND RISK COMMUNICATION IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND TO ADDRESS THE STAGGERING GROWTH OF THE TICK POPULATION IN THE REGION. OBJECTIVES ARE, BUILDING UPON EXISTING PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES, DESIGN A COMPREHENSIVE, LONG-TERM TICK AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE PLAN TO ADDRESS REGIONAL PRIORITIES AND MEET THE SURVEILLANCE NEEDS OF MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS; INCORPORATE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY ONE HEALTH APPROACH TO TICK AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE IN MAINE; DEVELOP AND OPTIMIZE A NOVEL, COST-EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR STRAIN TYPING BORRELIA BURGDORFERI, THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF LYME DISEASE; AND ENHANCE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ON TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES. THIS PROJECT ESTABLISHES ENHANCED LONG-TERM TICK SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION FOR A SYSTEMATIC AND COORDINATED APPROACH TO TICK AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE COLLECTION OF COMPREHENSIVE BASELINE DATA ON TICK DISTRIBUTION, TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN PREVALENCE, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT CAN INFLUENCE THE ECOLOGY OF TICKS AND THEIR WILDLIFE HOSTS. THE IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO DISEASE TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS AND ENABLES EARLY DETECTION OF CHANGES IN TICK POPULATIONS AND PATHOGEN PREVALENCE. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COLLABORATIVE ONE HEALTH APPROACH TO TICK AND PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE ALLOWS FOR AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED SYSTEM OF SURVEILLANCE THAT CAN AID IN RISK ASSESSMENT FOR COMMUNITIES AND ULTIMATELY AFFECT TICK-BORNE DISEASE OUTCOMES IN HUMANS, WILDLIFE, AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS. THOUGH THIS IS A ONE-YEAR PROJECT, THE RESULTING ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VALUABLE DATA FOR YEARS TO COME, WILL LEVERAGE FUTURE INVESTMENT IN TICK AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGEN RESEARCH, SURVEILLANCE AND OUTREACH, AND SERVE AS A MODEL FOR THE EXPANSION OF SYSTEMATIC TICK SURVEILLANCE THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE THE CITIZENS OF MAINE AND NEIGHBORING STATES. SUBAWARDEE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC LAB WILL TEST TICK SAMPLES GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT. ADDITIONALLY, A SUBAWARD WILL BE MADE TO THE MAINEHEALTH INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH TO COLLABORATE ON THE PROJECT, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE OF NON-NATIVE TICK SPECIES THAT ARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND/OR VETERINARY CONCERN.

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO EXPAND NANOCELLULOSE MATERIAL MEASUREMENT, PROCESSING AND PILOT-SCALE CAPABILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOREST BIOMATERIALS INNOVATION CENTER THROUGH ACQUIRING COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT, DESIGNING NOVEL PILOT-SCALE EQUIPMENT AND INTEGRATING THESE RESOURCES INTO THE EXISTING UNIVERSITY OF MAINE PROCESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (UM PDC). ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: RECIPIENTS WILL IDENTIFY, EVALUATE, ACQUIRE, INTEGRATE AND COMMISSION NEW INSTRUMENTATION FOR MEASUREMENT (WATER VAPOR TRANSMISSION, PROFILOMETRY AND TENSIOMETRY) AND EQUIPMENT FOR MATERIAL PREPARATION (PILOT-SCALE GLASS REACTOR, 150 KW MICROWAVE OVEN, MIXERS, DRYERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS) AND MANUFACTURING (LINING, PRESSING, AND COATING). RECIPIENTS WILL ALSO DEVELOP A NOVEL PILOT-SCALE FIBERBOARD MACHINE AND INTEGRATE THESE CAPABILITIES INTO THE UM PDC INCLUDING NECESSARY SITE-PREP AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS. THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDES (1) SUPPORT FOR EFFORT REQUIRED BY PROPOSAL PERSONNEL TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE POTENTIAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERNIGHT TRAVEL EXPENSES ANTICIPATED FOR THESE ACTIVITIES, (2) SIGNIFICANT EFFORT FOR ONE INDIVIDUAL TO COORDINATE SITE PREP, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES AND (3) SITE PREPARATION AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS NECESSARY TO SITE THE NEW EQUIPMENT AND CAPABILITIES. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DELIVERING THESE MEASUREMENT, PREPARATION AND PILOT-SCALE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE INDUSTRY INTEREST IN AND ACCELERATE INDUSTRY ADOPTION OF NANOCELLULOSE ADDITIVES IN MATERIALS INCLUDING FIBERBOARD, PACKAGING, COMPOSITES AND BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS OR DEVICES. SUCH INTEREST AND ADOPTION MAY LEAD TO THE CREATION OF NEW COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, DE-RISKING OF PRODUCTS OR METHODS, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OF EXISTING UM INVENTIONS, AND/OR KNOCK-ON BENEFITS FOR INNOVATION AND MANUFACTURING WITHIN THE REGIONAL FOREST BIOPRODUCTS ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECH HUB.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE ALL POTENTIAL STAKEHOLDERS OF A NANOCELLULOSE SECTOR OF THE BIOECONOMY PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS, EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS MANUFACTURERS, WORKERS LOCAL TO SUCH MANUFACTURERS, AND CONSUMERS OF FINAL PRODUCTS WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM THE NEW MATERIALS HAVING DESIRABLE PROPERTIES, AVOIDED HAZARDS AND/OR REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.

PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT OVW GRANTEE REPORTING

IMPROVING RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND SUCCESS OF MARINE SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO ENTER THE BLUE ECONOMY WORKFORCE -THIS PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL NEED FOR WELL-EDUCATED SCIENTISTS, MATHEMATICIANS, ENGINEERS, AND TECHNICIANS BY SUPPORTING THE RETENTION AND GRADUATION OF HIGH-ACHIEVING, LOW-INCOME MARINE SCIENCE STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE. OVER ITS FIVE-YEAR DURATION, THIS PROJECT WILL FUND SCHOLARSHIPS TO 25 UNIQUE FULL-TIME STUDENTS WHO ARE PURSUING A BACHELOR?S DEGREE IN MARINE SCIENCE. ALL STUDENTS RECRUITED AT THE FRESHMAN LEVEL WILL RECEIVE A FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP, AND SOPHOMORE STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THREE YEARS OF SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING. THIS PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCHOLARS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOLAR SUCCESS MENTORING NETWORK, AND OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION IN A VARIETY OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES, MONTHLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, FORMAL SUMMER INTERNSHIPS/EXTERNSHIPS, AND A VARIETY OF COHORT-BUILDING ACTIVITIES. AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM, SCHOLARS CAN OPT TO BE TRAINED IN AN AMBASSADOR'S PROGRAM THAT TEACHES THE STUDENTS HOW TO ASSEMBLE, STOCK, AND MAINTAIN A MOBILE TOUCH TANK, AND TRANSPORT THEM TO RURAL AREAS ACROSS THE STATE TO TEACH YOUTH ABOUT MARINE LIFE AND CAREERS IN THE MARINE SCIENCES. THIS PROGRAM GIVES SCHOLARS VALUABLE PRACTICE IN LEADERSHIP, FACILITATION, AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND INSTILLS POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS OF STEM TO STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. OVERALL, THIS PROGRAM WILL BUILD SIGNIFICANT CAPACITY FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS TO ENTER THE STEM EDUCATION AND THE DIVERSE BLUE ECONOMY WORKFORCE WHICH IS IN HIGH DEMAND. THE BLUE ECONOMY IS AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT SEEKS TO USE OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO SUPPORT JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO INCREASE STEM DEGREE COMPLETION OF LOW-INCOME, HIGH-ACHIEVING UNDERGRADUATES WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED IN MARINE SCIENCE. THE STEM WORKFORCE IS PROJECTED TO GROW BY ALMOST 11% BY 2031, AND THE BLUE ECONOMY IN PARTICULAR IS PREDICTED TO GROW AT DOUBLE THE RATE OF THE REST OF THE ECONOMY BY 2030. UNEQUAL ACCESS TO SCIENCE EDUCATION BY RURAL STUDENTS LIMITS THEIR ABILITY TO ATTAIN ADVANCED DEGREES AND ENTER THE STEM WORKFORCE. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS FOR RECRUITING STUDENTS FROM RURAL LOCALES AND AIMS TO INCREASE FIRST TO SECOND YEAR RETENTION RATES, AS WELL AS FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES FOR SCHOLARS. MOREOVER, THIS PROJECT WILL ADVANCE OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MENTORING, COHORT BUILDING, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN STUDENT SUCCESS, AND IN PROMOTING SCHOLARS? CAREER ADVANCEMENT. RESULTS OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AT LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, AND WELL AS THROUGH BOTH POPULAR PRESS AND PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS. THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY NSF?S SCHOLARSHIPS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAM, WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME ACADEMICALLY TALENTED STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED WHO EARN DEGREES IN STEM FIELDS. IT ALSO AIMS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF FUTURE STEM WORKERS, AND TO GENERATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ACADEMIC SUCCESS, RETENTION, TRANSFER, GRADUATION, AND ACADEMIC/CAREER PATHWAYS OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

MAINE SEA GRANT OMNIBUS 2006-2007 FUNDING

FY17 JOINT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANTINSTITUTIONS (SL3(B)&(C))

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

CARES HEERF INSTITUTIONAL PROJECT. FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION DUE TO CORONAVIRUS.

GRID-AIR: SECURE AND TRUSTWORTHY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SMART GRID APPLICATIONS

FY 24 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM #2

FY 2014 FORMULA GRANT OPPORTUNITY - SMITH-LEVER 3 (B) & (C)

FY18 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS (SL3(B)&(C))

THE EFFECTS OF TOXIC PARTICLES IN HUMAN LUNG CELLS - RESEARCH AREA 8. LIFE SCIENCES

CARES ACT EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR INSTITUTIONAL COSTS

FY 2012 FORMULA GRANT OPPORTUNITY - FINAL SMITH-LEVER 3B&C

UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM

EXPANDING ACCESS, INCREASING SUCCESS, AND IMPROVING CAREER READINESS

TRIO - STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES - STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** UMAINE NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL CENTER NPDN 2022-2026

NEW ENGLAND COMBINED HEAT AND POWER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP

PURPOSE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING AWARDS ARE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 PUBLIC LAW 117-328 AND THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR DIVISION L OF THAT ACT. PROJECTS SELECTED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ARE LISTED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) THAT ACCOMPANIES A SPECIFIC FISCAL YEAR’S APPROPRIATIONS ACT OR CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. THE JES LISTS PROJECT, RECIPIENT, STATE, AMOUNT AND CONGRESSIONAL SPONSOR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING AWARD PROJECTS INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES. HUD WILL NOT KNOW THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE RECIPIENT SUBMITS THE REQUIRED PROJECT NARRATIVE AND CONFIRMS ALIGNMENT WITH THE LANGUAGE AS PROVIDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. TO FIND THE DETAILS OF THE GRANT AWARD AS WRITTEN WITHIN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD USE THE FOLLOWING LINK AND PATH SELECTIONS TO GET TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING GRANTS HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/EDI-GRANTS, SELECT THE FISCAL YEAR OF INTEREST, SCROLL DOWN TO PROGRAM LAWS AND REGULATIONS, UNDER FISCAL YEAR 20XX CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20XX: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT).; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SUBSEQUENT APPROVED PROJECT NARRATIVE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PROJECT BENEFICIARIES ARE THE INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS OR SERVED BY THE ENTITIES THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE JES RECIPIENT OR PROJECT DESCRIPTION SECTIONS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

FY 2013 FORMULA GRANT OPPORTUNITY (FGO) - FINAL SMITH-LEVER 3(B)&(C)

STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM (SIP)

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: E-RISE RII: ENHANCING MAINE FOREST ECONOMY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION -THIS COLLABORATIVE PROJECT, MAINE-FOREST, SUPPORTS INCUBATING RESEARCH THEMES, TEAMS, AND PRODUCTS IN A SCIENTIFIC TOPICAL AREA THAT LINKS TO RESEARCH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE STATE?S APPROVED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (S&T) PLAN. MAINE-FOREST WILL DELIVER A DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE, AND STATEWIDE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND INNOVATION INCUBATOR THAT BUILDS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) CAPACITY. THIS WILL FUEL THE DRAMATIC GROWTH OF THE STATE?S FOREST-BASED ECONOMY AND THE RURAL COMMUNITIES IT SUPPORTS. FOUR INTERCONNECTED RESEARCH THEMES IN THE PROJECT REFLECT STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION THAT ALIGN WITH THE STATE?S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE ACTION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLANS. THE PROJECT ALSO WILL LEVERAGE PRIOR INVESTMENTS IN MAINE?S RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING FEDERAL AWARDS AND PHILANTHROPIC GIFTS, AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATIONAL LABORATORIES AND INDUSTRY. NOVEL PARTICIPATORY AND INCLUSIVE APPROACHES WILL NURTURE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF DIVERSE GROUPS OF NATURAL RESOURCE-DEPENDENT RURAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO RESPOND TO CURRENT AND FUTURE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES. THIS NEW, PARTNERSHIP-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE WILL HELP TO CREATE A FAR MORE INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN MAINE?S FOREST-BASED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE, R&D CAPACITY, AND NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS. INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO STEM EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WILL REINFORCE THE RESEARCH THEMES IN THE PROJECT WHILE ALSO CONNECTING WITH PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN A COMPANION EPSCOR COLLABORATIONS FOR OPTIMIZING RESEARCH ECOSYSTEMS RII AWARD (OIA-2412130). MAINE-FOREST?S FOUR CONVERGENT INCUBATOR THEMES INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL AI & INFORMATICS, CELLULOSIC NANOFIBER (CNF) BIOPRODUCTS, RURAL & TRIBAL RESILIENCE, AND SMART RURAL DEVELOPMENT. STATEWIDE INCUBATOR TEAMS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH THEME AIM TO CLOSE KEY KNOWLEDGE GAPS. MAINE-FOREST WILL ADVANCE ONE'S ABILITY TO CHARACTERIZE AND UTILIZE CNF WITHIN AN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CONTEXT. NEW AI/ML-DRIVEN TECHNOLOGIES WILL BE APPLIED TO ASSESS CORE ECOSYSTEM ATTRIBUTES ACROSS BROAD SPATIAL-TEMPORAL SCALES. INNOVATIVE, CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE APPROACHES WILL BE APPLIED TO PARTICIPATORY SYSTEMS DYNAMICS MODELING TO BETTER LEVERAGE STAKEHOLDER NETWORKS. RESEARCH ON THE PROGRAM?S COLLABORATIVE CULTURE AND PROCESSES, INCLUDING A COHORT-BASED APPROACH TO STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, WILL YIELD NEW INFORMATION REGARDING CONVERGENT SCIENCE. DELIVERABLES FROM MAINE-FOREST INCLUDE, IN ADDITION TO TYPICAL SCIENTIFIC OUTPUTS, INCREASED RESEARCH CAPACITY WITH SUPPORT FOR 20 EARLY-CAREER FACULTY, A NEW FOREST SECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FACULTY POSITION, AND AN ACTIONABLE DASHBOARD OF METRICS RELATED TO FOREST, ECONOMY, AND WORKFORCE CAPACITY. MAINE-FOREST IS LED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE. PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE AN EMERGING RESEARCH INSTITUTION (THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE), TWO PUBLIC, PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, TWO PRIVATE COLLEGES (COLBY AND BATES), AND STRATEGIC NON-PROFITS ACROSS THE STATE (THE MAINE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, MAINE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ALLIANCE, MAINE TREE, THE RURAL ASPIRATIONS). MAINE-FOREST WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT AT LEAST 45 FACULTY (45% EARLY-CAREER), 85 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, 10 GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND 4 POSTDOCS. THE PROJECT WILL POTENTIALLY BENEFIT 200 K-12 EDUCATORS AND NEARLY 2,000 STUDENTS IN 15 SCHOOLS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT. TEN DIVERSE RURAL AND ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED MAINE COMMUNITIES, AND A TRIBAL NATION, WILL ALSO BE DIRECTLY ENGAGED. THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE NSF EPSCOR RESEARCH INCUBATORS FOR STEM EXCELLENCE (E-RISE) RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. THE E-RISE RII PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE BROAD NETWORKS OF INDIVIDUALS, INSTITUTIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL TRANSFORM THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) RESEARCH CAPACITY AND COMPETITIVENESS IN A JURISDICTION WITHIN A FIELD OF RESEARCH ALIGNED WITH THE JURISDICTION'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

MICRONEEDLE EXTRACTION OF DERMAL ISF FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE 2017-2022 CENTRAL AROOSTOOK UPWARD BOUND PROJECT

TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM

DESCRIPTION:THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO EXAMINE HOW CLIMATE CHANGE INFLUENCES THE SEASONALITY AND PHENOLOGY OF THE TICK LIFE CYCLE WHILE LEVERAGING EVIDENCE-BASED DATA TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES WITH TARGETED PUBLIC HEALTH OUTREACH ON THE THREATS RELATED TO TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES. ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT WILL 1) RESEARCH THE MOLECULAR AND HORMONAL REGULATORS OF DIAPAUSE IN IXODES SCAPULARIS IN RELATION TO CLIMATIC CONDITIONS; 2) RESEARCH THE EFFECTS THAT WEATHER AND CLIMATE ON THE BLACKLEGGED TICK AND ASSOCIATED PATHOGENS IN ITS NORTHERN RANGE; AND 3) OPTIMIZE A RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT TICK BLOOD-MEAL ANALYSIS TO EXAMINE HOST ASSOCIATIONS, PATHOGEN PREVALENCE, AND LANDSCAPE/CLIMATE VARIABLES IN BLACKLEGGED TICK ECOLOGY.SUBRECIPIENT:A SUBAWARD OF $347,104 IS BUDGETED FOR THE MAINEHEALTH INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH. THEY WILL BE CONDUCTING LABORATORY AND FIELD EXPERIMENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MOLECULAR BASIS FOR THE INITIATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TICK DIAPAUSE.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE ANNUAL AND FINAL RESEARCH REPORTS. THIS STUDY IS EXPECTED TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE EFFECTS OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE ON THE ECOLOGY OF BLACKLEGGED TICKS AND TICK-BORNE PATHOGENS, LEADING TO IMPROVED RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND IMPROVE PREDICTION OF HUMAN CASES OF TICK-BORNE DISEASES. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE RESIDENTS IN AREAS WHERE TICKS ARE PREVALENT INCLUDING THE STATE OF MAINE AND THE NORTHEAST U.S., HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

FOREST-BASED PRODUCTS - THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONDUCT MISSION RELEVANT RESEARCH WHICH ADDRESSES THE COMPETITIVENESS OF FOREST PRODUCTS ON A NATIONAL AND REGIONAL BASIS. THE DIVERSITY OF THE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES AND MARKETS PROVIDES A ROBUST INDUSTRIAL ECOSYSTEM WHICH IS ULTIMATELY DEPENDENT UPON THE FOREST RESOURCE. THIS PROJECT HAS THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: 1) DEMONSTRATE NEAR-TERM COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO PRODUCE VALUE ADDED PAPER PRODUCTS, INCLUDING THOSE LEVERAGING CELLULOSE NANOMATERIALS AND EXISTING, UNDERUTILIZED MANUFACTURING ASSETS IN THE STATE OF MAINE, 2) DEVELOP AND EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF AN INTERIOR COMPOSITE PANEL COMPRISED OF WOOD PARTICLES, CELLULOSE NANOFIBRILS, AND FUNGAL RESIN, 3) DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF FINGER-JOINTS ON STRUCTURAL CAPACITY OF LUMBER/LSL CROSSLAMINATED TIMBER, 4) EVALUATE THE DURABILITY OF SMA-WPC IN THE APPLICATION OF OCEAN FISH CAGE PENS, 5) DEVELOP A MODEL OF WOOD SUPPLY BY SPECIES AND SIZE CLASS OF ALL FOREST TYPESOF MAINE OVER THE NEXT 25 TO 50 YEARS UNDER SEVERAL SCENARIOS, AND 6) DEVELOP AN INTERACTIVE MAPPING APPLICATION TO SUPPORT PLANNING FOR SPRUCE BUDWORM IMPACT ON WOOD SUPPLY. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE SIX SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE PROVIDED IN THE ATTACHED APPENDIX.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: BOCP-IMPLEMENTATION: ALPINE PLANTS AS A MODEL SYSTEM FOR BIODIVERSITY DYNAMICS IN A WARMING WORLD: INTEGRATING GENETIC, FUNCTIONAL, AND COMMUNITY APPROACHES -THE MOUNTAINTOPS OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES SUPPORT UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS OF ARCTIC AND ALPINE PLANTS, WHICH EXIST AS SMALL, ISOLATED PATCHES ABOVE THE TREELINE. IT IS THOUGHT THAT THESE PLANT COMMUNITIES HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE RETREAT OF THE GLACIERS APPROXIMATELY 13,000 YEARS AGO, SURVIVING THROUGH THE NATURAL CLIMATE CHANGES OF THE PAST AS WELL AS HUMAN-CAUSED WARMING OVER THE LAST CENTURY. THESE VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS ARE CULTURALLY IMPORTANT, DRAWING THOUSANDS OF HIKERS TO THESE PEAKS EVERY YEAR. THEY ALSO POSE A CHALLENGE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES TASKED WITH PROTECTING THEM FROM CLIMATE CHANGE, TRAMPLING, OVERUSE, AND OTHER THREATS. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY MAY HOLD CLUES ABOUT HOW SMALL, ISOLATED POPULATIONS CAN SURVIVE PERIODS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. DOES THE ANSWER LIE IN THE PLANTS THEMSELVES, IN THEIR ABILITY TO ADAPT QUICKLY TO CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS? OR IS THE SECRET TO THEIR SUCCESS IN THE SHELTERED NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF BEDROCK, WHICH PROVIDE A COOL REFUGE DURING THE HEAT? AND TO WHAT EXTENT ARE PLANTS DISAPPEARING, AND PERHAPS REAPPEARING, ON THESE MOUNTAINTOP ?ISLANDS? OVER TIME? TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE WILL SAMPLE ALPINE LAKES IN THE ADIRONDACKS, THE GREEN MOUNTAINS OF VERMONT, THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND KATAHDIN IN MAINE, ANALYZING THE DNA OF ANCIENT PLANTS TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER SPECIES HAVE TRULY PERSISTED IN THE THOUSANDS OF YEARS SINCE THE END OF THE LAST ICE AGE. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY?LL BE INVESTIGATING THE MODERN-DAY PLANTS OF THE NORTHEAST ALPINE REGION, BOTH IN THE FIELD AND IN EXPERIMENTAL GARDENS. FINALLY, RESEARCHERS WILL SHARE THEIR RESULTS IN A PODCAST SHOWCASING ALPINE PLANTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH THEM, AS WELL AS IN A NEW AI-POWERED APP (PRESENTED DURING TRAINING WORKSHOPS AT THE NORTHEAST ALPINE STEWARDSHIP GATHERINGS) THAT WILL HELP MANAGERS AND OTHERS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT HOW BEST TO STEWARD THIS VITAL NATURAL HERITAGE THROUGH THE COMING CENTURY. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS WORK IS TO HELP SCIENTISTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND MANAGERS UNDERSTAND HOW BETTER TO SUPPORT NOT ONLY ALPINE PLANTS ACROSS THE NORTHEAST, BUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE RARE OR ISOLATED SPECIES ARE FACED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER THREATS. THIS PROJECT WILL INTEGRATE TOOLS FROM PALEOECOLOGY, COMMUNITY ECOLOGY, TRAIT ECOLOGY, POPULATION GENOMICS, AND GEOGRAPHY TO DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ALPINE PLANT COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHEAST ASSEMBLED AND PERSISTED. FOCUSING ON THE ADIRONDACKS (NY), THE GREEN (VT) AND WHITE (NH) MOUNTAINS, AND KATAHDIN (ME), THE RESEARCH TEAM WILL FIRST CHARACTERIZE THE LAST ~13,000 YEARS OF VEGETATION DYNAMICS AT THE SPECIES LEVEL USING ANCIENT DNA FROM ALPINE SEDIMENT CORES. TO CHARACTERIZE CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO HISTORIC WARMING, THEY WILL THEN CONDUCT PLANT SURVEYS TO ESTIMATE SPECIES TURNOVER OVER THE LAST CENTURY BY COMPARING MODERN-DAY FLORA WITH HISTORIC SURVEY RECORDS. THE TEAM WILL THEN COMBINE DATA FROM COMMON GARDEN EXPERIMENTS, MICROCLIMATE SENSOR ARRAYS, FUNCTIONAL TRAIT ANALYSES, AND COALESCENT MODELING FROM POPULATION GENOMIC DATA TO REVEAL PAST AND CONTEMPORARY DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND CLARIFY THE RELATIVE ROLES OF MICROREFUGIA, PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY, AND LOCAL ADAPTATION IN DRIVING BIODIVERSITY TURNOVER ACROSS MILLENNIAL, CENTENNIAL, AND DECADAL TIMESCALES. THE STUDY WILL FOCUS ON SIX FOCAL TAXA THAT REPRESENT KEY ALPINE PLANT FUNCTIONAL TYPES (GRAMINOIDS, FORBS, AND DWARF SHRUBS). THE RESULTING MULTI-DIMENSIONAL BIODIVERSITY DATA WILL INFORM PREDICTIVE MODELS THAT WILL BE SHARED WITH REGIONAL MANAGERS AFTER BEING TESTED AGAINST PAST KNOWN BIODIVERSITY DYNAMICS. THROUGH THIS NOVEL, INTEGRATIVE APPROACH, THE PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE PREDICTIVE POWER IN FORECASTING BIODIVERSITY DYNAMICS IN FRAGMENTED POPULATIONS IN A WARMING WORLD BY QUANTIFYING THE RELATIVE ROLES OF CLIMATE REFUGIA, METAPOPULATION PROCESSES, PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY, AND ADAPTIVE CAPACITY IN AN INTEGRATIVE FRAMEWORK. THIS PROPOSAL IS JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE BIODIVERSITY ON A CHANGING PLANET PROGRAM AND THE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (EPSCOR). THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

FY 24 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM

WOOD-FIBER INSULATED PANELS FOR MODULAR CONSTRUCTION AND RETROFIT APPLICATIONS

THIS INITIATIVE WILL BUILD A NATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF FISHING COMMUNITIES, RESEARCHERS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT WILL COLLABORATE TO (1) ACCELERATE TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH RELATED TO SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL SEAFOOD SYSTEMS; (2) CREATE DYNAMIC TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR A DIVERSE COHORT OF GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS; (3) FACILITATE NETWORK BUILDING AND COLLABORATION ACROSS CONSORTIUM MEMBERS; AND (4) PROVIDE TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN SEAFOOD OPERATIONS ENGAGED IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL SEAFOOD SYSTEMS, WITH A FOCUS ON OPERATIONS BASED IN OR SERVING RURAL, LOW INCOME, AND/OR LOW FOOD ACCESS AREAS.

CREATING A VIRTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ENGAGING RURAL YOUTH IN STEM DISCIPLINES THROUGH COMPUTER SCIENCE

THE AWARD APPROVES FUNDING FOR THE FY2022 NATIONAL SERVICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIBED IN THE APPROVED PROGRAM NARRATIVE AND BUDGET. THE 2022 REQUIRED MATCH IS 0%. THIS AWARD ALSO FORWARD FUNDS $105,818 FOR THE 2023-24 PROGRAM YEAR.

AGREEMENT NUMBER: DE-FE0031550 TITLE: ''TECHNOLOGY MATURATION OF WIRELESS HARSH-ENVIRONMENT SENSORS FOR IMPROVED CONDITION-BASED MONITORING OF COAL-FIRED POWER GENERATION''

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK GRANT PACKAGE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM (COMPOSITES MATERIALS FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE & RESILIENCE)

FY16 JOINT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS AT 1862 LAND-GRANT INSTITUTIONS (SL3(B)&(C))

FY15 CAPACITY GRANT OPPORTUNITY - SMITH-LEVER 3 (B) & (C)

A MODEL NSF TEACHING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO IMPROVE STEM TEACHER RECRUITMENT, PREPARATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND RETENTION IN RURAL HIGH-NEED

IGERT: SENSOR SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND INFORMATICS

TRIO - STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES - STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

PURPOSE: THE $1,900,000 PROPOSAL WILL MODERNIZE AND EXPAND THE CAPABILITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE?S ANALYTICAL LABORATORY AND SOIL TESTING SERVICE THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE APPLICANT WILL USE FUNDING TO CONTRACT WITH CONSULTANT TO ASSIST IN OPTIMIZING SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT AND LABORATORY LAYOUT. THE EQUIPMENT PROCURED WILL BE A SUITE OF ANALYTICAL EQUIPMENT (SPECTROMETER, COMBUSTION ANALYZERS, PH ANALYZERS, A-RAY FLUORESCENCE SYSTEM, ETC.) SELECTED THAT WILL BEST SERVE THE LABS RESEARCH AND SERVICE MISSIONS, VALUING EASE OF OPERATION, RELIABILITY, AND ALIGNMENT WITH ANALYTICAL NEEDS. IN ADDITION TO THE EQUIPMENT, A FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN WILL BE HIRED TO OVERSEE THE SELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS ENSURE THAT THE INSTRUMENTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY DURING THE PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT PERIOD. EXPECTED OUTCOMES:WITH MODERNIZATION, THE MAINE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY WILL STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION AS A LEADER IN RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND SERVICES IN THE NORTHEAST. THE NEW CAPACITY OF THIS LABORATORY WILL BOLSTER MAINE?S ABILITY TO DRIVE PFAS RESEARCH AND LEADERSHIP; ENABLE RESEARCHERS TO CARRY OUT WORK THAT ADDRESSES CURRENT AND FUTURE ISSUES SUCH AS FOOD INSECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE; SUPPORT CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND WORKFORCE TRAINING NEEDED BY STATE AGENCIES AND FEDERAL PARTNERS; AND IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR THE $4681M AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN MAINE. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THIS PROPOSAL WILL BENEFIT THE NEARLY 90 FACULTY SUPPORTED BY THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENTATION STATION, AND NUMEROUS OTHERS IN COLLEGES ACROSS UMAINE AND CUSTOMERS FROM ACROSS THE NORTHEAST. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.

SEP INTEGRATED NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR CELLULOSIC DROP-IN FUELS

WEEDS ARE CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP CHALLENGES TO PROFITABLE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC VEGETABLES. ORGANIC FARMERS CITE CULTIVATION, CROP ROTATION AND COVER CROPPING AS THEIR FOUNDATIONAL WEED MANAGEMENT TOOLS, BUT MANY CONTINUE TO RELY ON OUTDATED EQUIPMENT AND DO NOT DEPLOY DISTURBANCE AND CROP DIVERSITY IN WAYS THAT RELIABLY STRESS AND REDUCE WEED POPULATIONS OVER TIME. LOW AND VARIABLE CULTIVATION EFFICACY ARE COMBINED WITH ABUNDANT WEED SEED RAIN, RESULTING IN STABLE, OR MORE COMMONLY, INCREASING WEED DENSITIES OVER TIME. SIMULATION MODELS AND FARMERS&#39; EXPERIENCE SUGGESTS THAT INDIVIDUAL ADVANCEMENTS IN CULTIVATION OR CROP DIVERSITY STRATEGIES ALONE CANNOT CHANGE THIS TRAJECTORY. HOWEVER, WE CONTEND THAT CULTURAL WEED MANAGEMENT FOCUSED ON WEED SEEDBANK-DEPLETING PRACTICES, COMBINED WITH ADVANCED, HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE CULTIVATION TOOLS, CAN RESULT IN DECLINING WEED POPULATIONS OVER TIME. INTEGRATION OF SEED- AND SEEDLING-FOCUSED MANAGEMENT WILL EXPLOIT A POSITIVE FEEDBACK LOOP: REDUCED GERMINABLE SEEDS -- REDUCED WEED SEEDLINGS -- HIGH LEVELS OF SEEDLING MORTALITY -- LOWER DENSITY OF MATURE WEEDS - REDUCED WEED SEED RAIN, AND THUS, CONTINUED REDUCTION IN THE GERMINABLE SEEDBANK. THERE ARE PROVEN WEED SEEDBANK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES APPLICABLE ACROSS ALL FARM SCALES, AND OTHERS THAT ARE MORE SCALE-DEPENDENT. TIMELY DISTURBANCE AND COVER CROPPING CAN ENCOURAGE GERMINATION AND SEEDLING RECRUITMENT TO DEPLETE THE GERMINABLE SEEDBANK. TIMELY TERMINATION OF CASH AND COVER CROPS CAN PREEMPT WEED SEED RAIN. SOLARIZATION OR TARPING HAS BEEN ENTHUSIASTICALLY ADOPTED BY SMALL-SCALE FARMERS AS A STRATEGY TO SMOTHER WINTER ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL WEEDS, AS WELL AS TO DEPLETE THE SURFACE GERMINABLE SEEDBANK, CREATING A STALE SEEDBED. HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WEED SEEDLING CONTROL, SUPPORTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL HAND WEEDING BOTH MAXIMIZE DEBITS TO THE SEEDBANK, WHILE MINIMIZING CREDITS. LIKEWISE, THERE IS A LARGE CULTIVATION TOOLBOX TO DRAW UPON, BOTH BETWEEN- AND IN-ROW TOOLS, AND EVIDENCE THAT STACKING TOOLS CAN IMPROVE MEAN EFFICACY WHILE REDUCING VARIABILITY, BUT FARMER ADOPTION REMAINS LOW. MANY OF THE TOOLS ARE MANUFACTURED IN EUROPE, AND THUS HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN DIFFICULT TO SOURCE. FARMERS ARE SOMETIMES SKEPTICAL REGARDING TOOL PERFORMANCE ON THEIR FARMS, WITH VARYING SLOPES, SOIL TEXTURES, STONES, AND RESIDUE. LOW ADOPTION IS DUE IN PART TO FARMERS, RESEARCHERS AND EXTENSION PERSONNEL ALIKE WHO TOO OFTEN PERPETUATE THE BELIEF THAT CULTIVATION IS AN ART, MASTERED ONLY BY SELECTED FARMERS FEATURED IN VIDEOS, BULLETINS OR SPEAKING AT WINTER MEETINGS. LASTLY, A LACK OF RELIABLE, EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH ON OPTIMAL USE OF THESE TOOLS UNDER DIVERSE SOIL, CROP AND WEED CONDITIONS INHIBITS ADOPTION BY RISK AVERSE GROWERS OF HIGH VALUE CROPS. OUR AIM IS TO WORK WITH INNOVATIVE FARMERS, EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND RESEARCHERS TO ADDRESS THESE BARRIERS TO ADOPTION. INTEGRATION OF WEED SEEDBANK MANAGEMENT (GALLANDT, 2014) WITH ROBUST, HIGHLY EFFECTIVE,ADVANCED CULTIVATION TOOLS (BROWN AND GALLANDT, IN PRESS; GALLANDT ET AL., 2018) WILL ESTABLISH A POSITIVE FEEDBACK LOOP OF IMPROVING WEED CONTROL. SPECIFICALLY, WE WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT REDUCED SEEDBANK AND SEEDLING DENSITIES WILL LOWER WEED SURVIVAL AND REDUCE WEED SEED RAIN THEREBY IMPROVING WEED MANAGEMENT OUTCOMES OVER TIME. TO THIS END WE HAVE ESTABLISHED FOUR INTERRELATED OBJECTIVES:(1) CHARACTERIZE AND OPTIMIZE EFFICACY AND SELECTIVITY OF ADVANCED CULTIVATION TOOLS, INCLUDING STACKED TOOLS, IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS AND FIELD CONDITIONS;(2) OPTIMIZE ORGANIC WEED MANAGEMENT THROUGH INTEGRATION OF MECHANICAL TOOLS WITH PREVENTIVE AND CULTURAL APPROACHES;(3) CONDUCT FIELD EXPERIMENTS ON SMALL-, MEDIUM-, AND LARGE-SCALE ORGANIC FARMS, COMPARING FARMERS&#39; STANDARD WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO THOSE WHICH INTEGRATE PREVENTIVE AND CULTURAL APPROACHES WITH ADVANCED AND OPTIMIZED CULTIVATION TOOLS; AND(4) DEVELOP A NETWORK OF ENGAGED FARMER EXPERTS, EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS, AND RESEARCHERS WHO USE AND SHARE DATA AND EXPERIENCES TO IMPROVE WEED MANAGEMENT OUTCOMES.

MAINE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENT DISABILTIES

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE 2020-2025 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT

DESCRIPTION:THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS PROVIDED TO UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) THROUGH THE CASCO BAY ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP (CBEP) CASCO BAY PLAN, I.E., THEIR COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). THE GOAL IS TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THE ESTUARY AND SUPPORT ITS SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES THROUGH TASKS OUTLINED IN THIS BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) WORKPLAN OF THE CBEP AND ITS PARTNERS. CBEP HAS DESIGNED EIGHT PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE STRUCTURE FOR THE FIVE-TO-SEVEN-YEAR SPENDING PLAN FOR BIL FUNDING. THE EIGHT PROGRAMS ADDRESS LONG-STANDING AND EMERGING NEEDS FOR MANAGEMENT OF CASCO BAY AS IDENTIFIED BY CBEP, WITH THE ADVICE OF PARTNERS AND MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. THESE PROGRAMS SUPPORT HABITAT RESTORATION, RESILIENCE AND CONSERVATION; ENHANCE MONITORING AND SCIENCE TO GUIDE FUTURE MANAGEMENT; AND ASSIST COMMUNITIES ADDRESSING CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND WATER NEEDS.ACTIVITIES:THE PROJECTS INCLUDED WILL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING THE ESTUARY INCLUDING ASSESSING TRENDS IN WATER QUALITY, HABITATS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND USES; COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCMP BY THE NEP, ALONG WITH THE STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL AGENCIES, STAKEHOLDERS, NGOS, CITIZENS, PARTNERS, AND OTHERS; AND MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE APPROVED CCMP AND ANNUAL WORKPLAN. SPECIFIC PLANNED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: CONTINUE THE HABITAT PROTECTION FUND TO SUPPORT HABITAT PROTECTION PROJECTS; SUPPORT ONGOING DISCUSSION IN THE TOWN OF YARMOUTH ABOUT REMOVING TWO TOWN-OWNED DAMS ON THE ROYAL RIVER AND DEVELOP PLANS FOR ADDRESSING FISH PASSAGE; CONDUCT FORMAL FEASIBILITY STUDIES REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF THE STROUDWATER DAM AND ADVANCE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE AND WATER QUALITY CHALLENGES; CONTINUE EFFORTS TO ENHANCE THE RESILIENCE OF TIDAL WETLANDS TO SEA LEVEL RISE AND IMPLEMENT 'SMARTEAMS' APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING HISTORIC IMPACTS TO MARSH SURFACE HYDROLOGY; CONTINUE GRANT PROGRAMS AND INCREASE CBEP CAPACITY TO ASSIST WITH ON-THE-GROUND PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT HABITAT RESTORATION AND ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCE GOALS; CONVENE STEERING COMMITTEE TO PRIORITIZE ONGOING WORK, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL CASCO BAY MODELS, AND TO DEVELOP NEW TOOLS TO MAKE MODEL OUTPUT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO NON-SPECIALISTS; STUDY LOCATION AND CONDITION OF SEPTIC TANKS AND OTHER ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY, ESPECIALLY IN LAKES AND ON ISLAND AND PENINSULA COMMUNITIES; SELECT PRIORITY WATERSHEDS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 'NINE ELEMENT' OR SIMPLIFIED PLANS AND INITIATE DEVELOPMENT OF AT LEAST ONE PRIORITY WATERSHED PLAN; HIRE AN ADDITIONAL CBEP STAFF MEMBER TO INCREASE CAPACITY TO BUILD NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, ESPECIALLY GROUPS WITH CONNECTIONS TO UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IN THE CASCO BAY REGION; FUND WORK BY MEMBERS OF THE SEBAGO CLEAN WATERS COALITION TO ENGAGE MIDDLE AND UPPER WATERSHED MUNICIPALITIES WITH OPEN SPACE PLANNING, AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT SITE REVIEW; CONTINUE BIL-FUNDED COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM; CONTINUE GRANT PROGRAMS AND ASSIST WITH MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND ON-THE-GROUND PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY RESILIENCE; CONTINUE GRANT PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN MONITORING OF CASCO BAY SUPPORT THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW MONITORING PROGRAMS, EXPANSION OF MONITORING CAPABILITIES, STRENGTHENING REGIONAL MONITORING RESOURCES, OR PURCHASING EQUIPMENT. SUBRECIPIENT:HABITAT PROTECTION GRANTS, RECIPIENTS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN VARIOUS PROJECTS THAT INCREASE MONITORING INFRASTRUCTURE, HABITAT RESILIENCE, AND/OR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, RECIPIENTS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN MARSH SURFACE HYDROLOGY RESTORATION EFFORTS, RECIPIENTS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN FEASIBILITY STUDIES REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF STROUDWATER DAM, L

THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTING RESEARCH FOR MAINE AND ITS PEOPLE FOR OVER 125 YEARS. ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS UNDER THE HATCH AND MCINTIRE?STENNIS ACTS, IN COMBINATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FUNDS, PROVIDE THE BASE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF THE STATION. THE RESEARCH CAPACITY PROVIDED BY BASE FUNDING LEVERAGES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM COMPETITIVE GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT. HATCH FUNDS ARE USED AT THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON ALL ASPECTS OF AGRICULTURE SPANNING A RANGE OF CURRENT CRITICAL ISSUES IN PLANT AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND HEALTH; SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION AND USE; FORESTRY; ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES; PROCESSING, DISTRIBUTION, SAFETY, MARKETING AND UTILIZATION OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS; FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE; HOME ECONOMICS AND FAMILY LIFE; HUMAN NUTRITION; RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY; TOURISM; AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION WILL USE ADMINISTRATIVE HATCH FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE RESEARCH PROGRAM ADMINISTRAT ION AND FINANCIAL RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING ACTIVITIES REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE EXPENDITURE OF HATCH FUNDS. THE STATION HAS 70 RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE HATCH PROGRAM. TYPICALLY, EACH HATCH PROJECT WILL HAVE SEVERAL ASSOCIATED PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY COMPETITIVE GRANTS OR OTHER SOURCES. THE STATION DIRECTOR WILL FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW HATCH PROJECTS, APPROVE NEW PROJECTS, AND MONITOR ALL APPROVED PROJECTS INCLUDING INTEGRATED GRANTS AND CONTRACTS. AN ALLOTMENT OF HATCH FUNDS WILL BE MADE TO PAY EXPENDITURES OF A GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE NATURE, INCLUDING PARTIAL FUNDING FOR SALARIES, TRAVEL, AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO PLANNING, COORDINATION, OVERSIGHT, REPORTING, AND COMPLIANCE OF THE HATCH AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION.

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

DISES: MANAGEMENT OF LINKED HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH THREATS IN THE PRIVATE WOODLAND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM -THIS RESEARCH PROJECT WILL INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF LEARNING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERACTING ECOSYSTEM AND PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS. PRIVATE WOODLAND OWNERS IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND CONFRONT MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. THOSE PROBLEMS INCLUDE RANGE EXPANSION OF INVASIVE PLANTS AND AN INCREASE IN DISEASE VECTOR TICK ABUNDANCE. TICKS AND INVASIVE PLANTS ALSO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER ECOLOGICALLY, MAKING HUMAN EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND SHARE EFFECTIVE PRACTICES CHALLENGING. MANAGING THE FOREST-TICK SYSTEM RELIES ON A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL LEARNING. THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE GAPS RELATED TO HUMAN SOCIAL LEARNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATION. IT WILL EXPLORE ECOSYSTEM AND HUMAN HEALTH, AND THE FEEDBACK LOOPS BETWEEN THEM. THIS WILL LEAD TO MORE SUSTAINABLE FOREST AND PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT SOCIETY BY OFFERING INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN ECOLOGY, BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE, AND HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF NATURAL RESOURCES. IT WILL TRAIN UNDERGRADUATES, GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS IN THE U.S. IT WILL ALSO INFORM POLICIES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES WITHIN THE UNIQUE SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT OF PRIVATELY OWNED FORESTLAND AND OTHER COMPLEX ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS. IN COOPERATION WITH A STATE AGENCY AND A NON-PROFIT, THIS PROJECT ALSO WILL DEVELOP THE FOREST LAND-OWNER EDUCATION & RESEARCH NETWORK (LEARN) OUTREACH PROGRAM TO TRAIN PEER LEADERS TO EX-CHANGE IDEAS AND INFORMATION WITH OTHERS WITHIN THEIR PEER NETWORK. THE PROJECT WILL COMBINE ECOLOGICAL FIELD STUDIES, SOCIAL SCIENCE SURVEY AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH, AND AGENT-BASED MODELING TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING 4 AIMS: 1) DETERMINE HOW SOCIAL LEARNING AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG PRIVATE WOODLAND OWNERS INFLUENCES THE TICK-FOREST SYSTEM. 2) CONDUCT APPLIED ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH TO DEVISE EFFECTIVE AND ACCEPTABLE STRATEGIES TO MANAGE INVASIVE PLANTS IN THE CONTEXT OF TICK CONTROL. 3) EXPLORE THE SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS OF THE TICK-FOREST SYSTEM USING INTEGRATED MODELS TO INFORM POLICY AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS. 4) TRANSLATE RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO PRACTICE THROUGH THE CREATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVALUATION OF A WOODLAND OWNER TRAIN-THE-TRAINER OUTREACH PROGRAM INVOLVING PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT APPLICATION OF CULTURAL ADAPTATION THEORY, TESTING WHETHER SOCIAL LEARNING CAN INCREASE THE CHANCES OF BENEFICIAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES IN A NOVEL CONTEXT. THIS RESEARCH WILL REVEAL IF TASK COMPLEXITY DAMPENS CULTURAL ADAPTATION, WITH IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR ANY POLICY SCENARIO IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL LEARNING IS CHALLENGING. IN THE BIOPHYSICAL SYSTEM, APPLIED ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH WILL ADDRESS UNDEREXPLORED QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF INVASIVE PLANTS ON TICK DENSITIES AND INFECTION PREVALENCE TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL, EFFECTIVE, AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LANDOWNERS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTING RESEARCH FOR MAINE AND ITS PEOPLE FOR OVER 125 YEARS. ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS UNDER THE HATCH AND MCINTIRE?STENNIS ACTS, IN COMBINATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FUNDS, PROVIDE THE BASE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF THE STATION. THE RESEARCH CAPACITY PROVIDED BY BASE FUNDING LEVERAGES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM COMPETITIVE GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT. HATCH FUNDS ARE USED AT THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON ALL ASPECTS OF AGRICULTURE SPANNING A RANGE OF CURRENT CRITICAL ISSUES IN PLANT AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND HEALTH; SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION AND USE; FORESTRY; ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES; PROCESSING, DISTRIBUTION, SAFETY, MARKETING AND UTILIZATION OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS; FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE; HOME ECONOMICS AND FAMILY LIFE; HUMAN NUTRITION; RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY; TOURISM; AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION WILL USE ADMINISTRATIVE HATCH FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE RESEARCH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTIN G ACTIVITIES REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE EXPENDITURE OF HATCH FUNDS. THE STATION HAS OVER 80 RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE HATCH PROGRAM. TYPICALLY, EACH HATCH PROJECT WILL HAVE SEVERAL ASSOCIATED PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY COMPETITIVE GRANTS OR OTHER SOURCES. THE STATION DIRECTOR WILL FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW HATCH PROJECTS, APPROVE NEW PROJECTS, AND MONITOR ALL APPROVED PROJECTS INCLUDING INTEGRATED GRANTS AND CONTRACTS. AN ALLOTMENT OF HATCH FUNDS WILL BE MADE TO PAY EXPENDITURES OF A GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE NATURE, INCLUDING PARTIAL FUNDING FOR SALARIES, TRAVEL, AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO PLANNING, COORDINATION, OVERSIGHT, REPORTING, AND COMPLIANCE OF THE HATCH AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION.

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

CNH-L: RESILIENCE AND ADAPTIVE CAPACITY OF SMALL-SCALE FISHING COMMUNITIES AND COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC VARIABILITY

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTING RESEARCH FOR MAINE AND ITS PEOPLE FOR OVER 125 YEARS. ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS UNDER THE HATCH AND MCINTIRE-STENNIS ACTS, IN COMBINATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FUNDS, PROVIDE THE BASE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF THE STATION. THE RESEARCH CAPACITY PROVIDED BY BASE FUNDING LEVERAGES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM COMPETITIVE GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT. HATCH FUNDS ARE USED AT THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON ALL ASPECTS OF AGRICULTURE SPANNING A RANGE OF CURRENT CRITICAL ISSUES IN PLANT AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION, PROTECTION AND HEALTH; SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION AND USE; FORESTRY; ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES; PROCESSING, DISTRIBUTION, SAFETY, MARKETING AND UTILIZATION OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS; FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE; HOME ECONOMICS AND FAMILY LIFE; HUMAN NUTRITION; RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND POLICY; TOURISM; AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION WILL USE ADMINISTRATIVE HATCH FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE RESEARCH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTIN G ACTIVITIES REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE EXPENDITURE OF HATCH FUNDS. THE STATION HAS OVER 80 RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE HATCH PROGRAM. TYPICALLY, EACH HATCH PROJECT WILL HAVE SEVERAL ASSOCIATED PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY COMPETITIVE GRANTS OR OTHER SOURCES. THE STATION DIRECTOR WILL FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW HATCH PROJECTS, APPROVE NEW PROJECTS, AND MONITOR ALL APPROVED PROJECTS INCLUDING INTEGRATED GRANTS AND CONTRACTS. AN ALLOTMENT OF HATCH FUNDS WILL BE MADE TO PAY EXPENDITURES OF A GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE NATURE, INCLUDING PARTIAL FUNDING FOR SALARIES, TRAVEL, AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO PLANNING, COORDINATION, OVERSIGHT, REPORTING, AND COMPLIANCE OF THE HATCH AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTING RESEARCH FOR MAINE AND ITS PEOPLE FOR OVER 140 YEARS. ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS UNDER THE HATCH ACT OF 1887, IN COMBINATION WITH STATE APPROPRIATED FUNDING, ALLOW FACULTY TO CONDUCT FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED RESEARCH TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF MAINE AND THE NATION. THE RESEARCH CAPACITY PROVIDED BY BASE FUNDING LEVERAGES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM COMPETITIVE GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FACULTY LEAD 48 RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH HATCH ACT. TYPICALLY, EACH HATCH PROJECT WILL HAVE SEVERAL ASSOCIATED PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY COMPETITIVE GRANTS OR OTHER SOURCES. SPECIFICALLY, HATCH PROJECTS STUDY QUESTIONS AIMED TO SUPPORT MAINE'S AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE INDUSTRIES, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, OUR HATCH RESEARCH PROGRAMS SEEK TO BREED NEW, PROFITABLE POTATO VARIETIES, DEVELOP COST-EFFECT METHODS FOR INSECT, AND FUNGI MANAGEMENT IN BLUEBERRIES, QUANTIFY PHYSICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF SOIL HEALTH FOR FARMERS, BUILD ADAPTIVE CAPACITY ON FARMS WITH A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS, AND IMPROVE WEED MANAGEMENT THROUGH ECOLOGICAL STRATEGIES THAT REDUCE HERBICIDE COSTS ON FARMERS. HATCH FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT NATURAL RESOURCE RESEARCH IN MAINE'S AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY AND WILD FISHERIES FINDING RELIANCE IN THE SEAFOOD ECONOMY BY STUDYING HOST PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS IN WILD AND FARMED FISH, INVESTIGATING IMMUNE DEVELOPMENT IN COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT AQUATIC ANIMALS, EXPLORING BIOPHYSICAL SYSTEMS IN FRESHWATER FISHERIES, AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO SEAFOOD PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTS. OUR HATCH-FUNDED RESEARCH ALSO DIRECTLY STUDIES THE HEALTH AND ECONOMIES OF MAINE'S RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH EXPECTED OUTCOMES THAT INCREASE HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND DIET QUALITY IN YOUNG ADULTS, INFORM RURAL COMMUNITY AND BLUE ECONOMY TRANSITIONS, TO SUPPORT THE RESEARCH, AND HELP THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONS, BUSINESSES, INDUSTRIES, AND PEOPLE. THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION WILL USE ADMINISTRATIVE HATCH FUNDS FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING ACTIVITIES REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN THE EXPENDITURE OF HATCH FUNDS. THE STATION DIRECTOR WILL FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW HATCH PROJECTS, APPROVE NEW PROJECTS, AND MONITOR ALL APPROVED PROJECTS INCLUDING INTEGRATED GRANTS AND CONTRACTS. AN ALLOTMENT OF HATCH FUNDS WILL BE MADE TO PAY EXPENDITURES OF A GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE NATURE, INCLUDING PARTIAL FUNDING FOR SALARIES AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO PLANNING, COORDINATION, OVERSIGHT, REPORTING, AND COMPLIANCE OF THE HATCH AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE MAINE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST EXPERIMENT STATION.

UMPI CARES ACT PROJECT. THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS TO COVER EXPENSES RELATED TO THE DISRUPTION OF CAMPUS OPERATIONS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM

UPWARD BOUND

UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM

UPWARD BOUND

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE 2022-2027 CENTRAL AROOSTOOK UPWARD BOUND PROJECT

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FORT KENT (UMFK) 2020-2025 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE UPWARD BOUND MATH SCIENCE 2017

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FARMINGTON STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES JOHNSON SCHOLARS PROGRAM

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

NURSING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM

MEGAPRINT: USING THE WORLD’S LARGEST 3D PRINTER FOR PRECISION MANUFACTURING OF LARGE MODULAR WIND BLADE TOOLING

NEW AWARD WITH UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, NUMBER DE-FE0007379 TITLED "HIGH-TEMPERATURE WIRELESS SENSOR FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENT CONDITION MONITORING"

HATCH RESEARCH

CARES ACT EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANTS TO STUDENTS

UPWARD BOUND AT USM - RSU

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - TICK-BORNE DISEASES POSE A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT AND REQUIRE ROBUST RESEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS TO EFFECTIVELY COMBAT THEM. MONITORING TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES SERVES MULTIPLE PURPOSES, INCLUDING IDENTIFYING AREAS OF HIGH-RISK, DETECTING EMERGING PATHOGENS, MONITORING DISEASE TRENDS, AND EVALUATING PREVENTIVE INTERVENTIONS. ACCESS TO ADVANCED LABORATORY EQUIPMENT ENHANCES DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES AND ENABLES EARLY DETECTION, INFORMING TARGETED INTERVENTIONS TO MITIGATE DISEASE TRANSMISSION. REAL-TIME PCR SYSTEMS AMPLIFY AND ANALYZE NUCLEIC ACIDS EXTRACTED FROM TICKS, IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC PATHOGENS AND PROVIDING VALUABLE INFORMATION ON PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION. NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING PLATFORMS ENABLE COMPREHENSIVE GENOMIC ANALYSIS OF TICKS AND THEIR PATHOGENS, AIDING IN UNDERSTANDING TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS AND PATHOGEN EVOLUTION. THE PROPOSED EQUIPMENT-ONLY BUDGET AIMS TO ENHANCE THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION DIAGNOSTIC AND RESEARCH LABORATORY'S CAPACITY IN TICK-BORNE DISEASE RESEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE. IT ENABLES COMPREHENSIVE TICK SURVEILLANCE, FACILITATING IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TICK POPULATIONS AND ASSOCIATED PATHOGENS. IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR IN-DEPTH RESEARCH INTO THE MOLECULAR UNDERPINNINGS OF TICK-BORNE DISEASE TRANSMISSION CYCLES. THE GENERATED DATA CAN INFORM TARGETED PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES AND ONGOING RESEARCH INTO TICK-BORNE PATHOGENS, CONTRIBUTING TO A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THESE DISEASES AND ENABLING EVIDENCE-BASED PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS TO PROTECT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: CENTERS FOR OCEAN SCIENCE EDUCATION EXCELLENCE - OCEANS IN THE EARTH-SUN SYSTEM

STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM (SIP)

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

SOLAR ENERGY OF THE NORTH

DESCRIPTION:THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO EQUIP FARMERS WITH A SET OF INTEGRATED AND SCALABLE PFAS MITIGATION STRATEGIES, TARGETING KEY POINTS OF PFAS TRANSFER, TO REDUCE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCING FORAGES, MILK, AND MEAT ON PFAS CONTAMINATED SOIL.ACTIVITIES:THIS RESEARCH WILL (1) IDENTIFY PFAS REDUCTION METHODS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT PFAS UPTAKE IN FORAGE CROPS, (2) EVALUATE PFAS MITIGATION EFFECTIVENESS OF LIVESTOCK FEED BINDER ALTERATIONS, AND (3) DEVELOP OUTREACH TO SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF PFAS MITIGATION STRATEGIES BY FORAGE, DAIRY, AND MEAT PRODUCERS.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE ANNUAL AND FINAL REPORTS, FACT SHEETS, VIDEOS, PODCASTS, WEBINARS, PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, AND ACTIONABLE INFORMATION ON PFAS CONTAMINATION. THE EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THIS RESEARCH IS NEW PFAS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES WHICH WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO FARMERS, FARM ADVISORS, STATE AND LOCAL POLICY MAKERS, MEAT AND DAIRY CONSUMERS, AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY PFAS-CONTAMINATED SOIL.

MECHANISMS OF NAD+ ACTION DURING MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT AND HOMEOSTASIS IN A ZEBRAFISH DYSTROGLYCANOPATHY MODEL