WASHINGTON, D.C.- Mississippi State University was selected to continue leadership with the Northern Gulf Institute (NGI) that will now monitor the Gulf of Mexico.
The NOAA chose Mississippi State after an open competition. The five-year agreement includes a $7 million award, which can be renewed annually if performance is satisfactory.
Senator Thad Cochran wishes the University well on winning the award.
“The health of the Gulf of Mexico directly affects the economy of Mississippi and the nation,” Cochran said. “Mississippi State University has succeeded in ensuring that the Northern Gulf Institute excels in providing NOAA with cutting-edge research on the Gulf ecosystem. This new award affirms and expands those responsibilities, which is good news for the university, its partners and NOAA.”
MSU will work closely with university of Southern Mississippi as well as University of Alabama at Huntsville. Already on the project were Louisiana State University, Florida State University, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
The scope of research done by the NGI will be expanded and focus on coastal hazards, ecosystem management data, and climate change on the Gulf ecosystems.
