Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Amount Appropriated?

$12.3M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is one of the top oceanographic institutes in the world, with a nearly 50-year track record of pioneering advances in ocean science. Over a decade ago, Bigelow staff and trustees embarked on an expansion to provide facilities commensurate with the world-class reputation of the laboratory. This growth has allowed the Laboratory to diversify its funding portfolio and build a rock-solid financial foundation, and contribute greatly to the District\u2019s economy. It has also resulted in Bigelow approaching and, in some cases, exceeding the existing building\u2019s capacity. There is much more that Bigelow can do in research, entrepreneurship, and education if additional space is built.\r\nThis funding will go towards developing the new, 23,800-square-foot wing that will house laboratory space for four additional Senior Research Scientists, increasing scientific productivity and impact on understanding the foundations of global ocean health. Further, this will allow expansion for two additional classrooms (20-person capacity each) and teaching laboratories (20-person capacity each) that will serve high school and undergraduate students from Maine and around the world. Additionally, funds will go towards a state-of-the-art cryopreservation facility in support of Bigelow\u2019s growing reputation as an international patent repository, which serves science and industry globally. Finally, these funds will add an artificial intelligence (AI)/big data discovery laboratory to the campus in support of computational research, forecasting, citizen science, and education programs across the institute.\r\n \r\n