University Of Alabama Awarded $360 Million Grant, The Largest In Its History

The University of Alabama has been awarded a five-year $360 million grant to lead a consortium that will conduct a wide range of research on water use and resource management. The grant comes with the potential for renewal for another five years based on successful performance during its initial funding period.

The grant, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is the largest external award in the University’s history. It will establish the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), which will be headquartered at the University’s Alabama Water Institute.

“The new cooperative institute will work with NOAA to research and develop state-of-the-science water analysis, forecasts and guidance and the equitable delivery of decision-support services,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad. “This program will train the next generation of scientists focused on addressing water issues and emergencies on all time scales, helping NOAA build a Climate Ready Nation that is responsive and resilient in a changing world.

CIROH will be made up of a consortium of 28 academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and government and industry partners, assembling a team of hydrologic researchers across the United States and Canada.

CIROH’s consortium members include:

• The University of Alabama;
• Brigham Young University;
• Colorado School of Mines;
• Tuskegee University;
• The University of Alabama in Huntsville;
• University of Arizona;
• University of California San Diego,
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography;
• University of Hawaii at Mānoa;
• University of Iowa;
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities;
• University of Saskatchewan;
• University of Utah;
• University of Vermont; and
• Utah State University.

In addition, 14 partners organizations are participating in the effort, including Baron Weather Inc.; Coastal Carolina University; Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrological Science Inc.; Dauphin Island Sea Lab; Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System; Jupiter Intelligence; New Mexico State University; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; The Pennsylvania State University; RTI International; Stevens Institute of Technology; University of California, Davis; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and University of South Carolina

CIROH will collaborate with two federal organizations located on the University of Alabama’s campus — NOAA’s National Water Center and the recently announced U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility. The consortium’s research agenda will focus on four themes identified as priorities by NOAA along with the National Weather Service and the National Water Center:

• Water resources prediction capabilities
• Community water resources modeling
• Hydroinformatics
• Application of social, economic and behavioral science to water resources prediction

“I am thrilled that The University of Alabama has received this competitive award to facilitate a cutting-edge Cooperative Institute focused on hydrology,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). “UA has the unique environment and expertise to lead the nation in high-level water research between 28 partners. Thanks to the Alabama Water Institute’s leadership in assembling a world-class team, the growing scientific expertise and collaborations in Alabama will continue to benefit the nation.”

CIROH will also create new curricula to prepare the next generation of water professionals and help translate CIROH discoveries into practice. Extensive outreach and engagement will be undertaken to help communities build resilience to water-related risks.

“The research institutes were established on campus to support and expand upon the great work done by our faculty, staff and students in addressing real challenges facing our society,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “This award will elevate those contributions, bringing innovation to such a critical issue as water quality and availability while enriching the educational experience of our students. The expertise of the Alabama Water Institute is positioned well to answer our nation’s call to improve the lives and livelihood of Americans and our partner nations.”