HiSeasNet: Continuous Internet Connectivity for Oceanographic Research - 2024-2028

The University of California San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) proposes to support mobile communication in the US Academic Research Fleet (ARF). Currently the ARF consists of seventeen oceanographic vessels that provide at-sea laboratories which support scientist, engineers, post-doctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students as well as technicians and teachers as they pursue fundamental research in the marine environment. The principal impact of the present proposal is under Merit Review Criterion 2 of the Proposal Guidelines (NSF 23-525). It provides mobile communication and infrastructure in support of science and crew for NSF-funded oceanographic research projects (which individually undergo separate review by the relevant research program of NSF). 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.