University Of Maine System Inc

PURPOSE:CONSTRUCT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE HEALTH SCIENCE COMPLEX (HSC), PHASE I, A MODERN, STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING ON THE ORONO CAMPUS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED:DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW, APPROXIMATELY 27,100 GROSS SQUARE FOOT (GSF) HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE ORONO CAMPUS.EXPECTED OUTCOMES:CREATION OF DEDICATED, MODERN RESEARCH LABORATORY SPACE SUPPORTING UMAINE'S R1 CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION AND EXPANDING BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH CAPACITY, EXPANDED WORKFORCE PIPELINE FOR MAINE'S HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCE SECTOR, AND ENHANCED CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES:UNIVERSITY OF MAINE STUDENTS, FACULTY, EMPLOYERS, PATIENTS, AND ECONOMYSUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE.

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

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.

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.

MAINE STATE GEAR UP: GEAR UP MAINE RISE

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

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS

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

NATIONAL TRIBAL CHILD WELFARE CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ADVANCEMENT

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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: 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.

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.