
Research Resources:
Equipment, Lab Facilities, Data, Experts, and R&D Funding Opportunities

GulfBase.org - Assets: Listing of Gulf-wide university-operated ocean research vessels, advanced ocean platforms (robots, buoys, moorings, subs), and ocean sensing and sampling systems.
GulfBase.org - People: Searchable database of marine experts in the gulf region.
GulfBase.org - Projects & Programs: Searchable database of current and past research projects and programs in the gulf region.
GCOOS Data Portal: Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) data portal provides information about the environment of the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico and its estuaries for use by decision-makers, including researchers, government managers, industry, the military, educators, emergency responders, and the general public.
USM Research Vessels, Labs and Experts: University of Southern Mississippi School of Ocean Science and Technology
Northern Gulf Institute - Data & Tools: The Northern Gulf Institute conducts research that builds an integrated, comprehensive understanding of natural and human impacts on northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystems and associated economies to improve its management. NGI is a cooperative institute led by Mississippi State University, partnering with the University of Southern Mississippi, Louisiana State University, Florida State University, and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (AL).
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: Responsible for hosting and providing access to one of the most significant archives for environmental data with over 20 petabytes of comprehensive atmospheric, coastal, oceanic, and geophysical data.
SBIR.gov: The primary government website maintained by SBA for information on the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and related Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These programs provide funding opportunities to small businesses to engage in applied research & technology development the largest 11 federal agencies and their components. Over $2.5 billion in contracts and grants are awarded annually.
On-line SBIR Tutorials: A set of courses designed to help one learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs and how to develop a responsive proposal. Includes information on IP and data rights as well as accounting and finance for use in preparing the proposal budget and carrying out the project.
MS-FAST Program: A state assistance program providing support to Mississippi companies seeking SBIR/STTR contracts and grants.
LA-FAST Program: A state assistance program providing support to Louisiana companies seeking SBIR/STTR contracts and grants. The LA-FAST Phase 0 program provides up to $2,000.00 support development of a business' Phase 1 SBIR proposal.
National Security Technology Accelerator: NSTXL is a non-profit, commercially facing consortium that connects the rapidly advancing private sector technologies closer to the military. The Department of Defense has funding a $100 million Rapid Prototype Funding Authority via an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the NSTXL for a period of three (3) years, for the purpose of executing a coordinated research and development program. Technology areas of interest include energy, cyber, medical, materials, and defense systems (a broad area).
Office of Naval Research (ONR) BAA Funding Opportunities: ONR is constantly looking for innovative scientific and technological solutions to address current and future Navy and Marine Corps requirements. This link is to their website which provides a list of currently active broad agency announcements (BAAs) and funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) – each announcement provides technical and contracting points of reference.
The Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF): RIF provides a collaborative vehicle for small businesses to provide the DoD with innovative technologies that can be rapidly inserted into acquisition programs that meet specific defense needs. RIF is administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD R&E) and Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). RIF is often use to provide Phase 3 SBIR development support for transitioning Phase 2 SBIR innovations into operational use.
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC): GSMFC is an organization of the five states Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, and Florida), whose coastal waters are the Gulf of Mexico. It has as its principal objective the conservation, development, and full utilization of the fishery resources of the Gulf of Mexico, to provide food, employment, income, and recreation to the people of these United States.