The Gulf of Mexico is a geographical formation, an ecologically important ecosystem, an economic engine, a cultural and spiritual resource, and a fount of aesthetic inspiration. Yet few UF undergraduates have had the opportunity to grapple with the many incarnations of the Gulf – even those who live near it. Communities along the Gulf are facing complex environmental, health, and social challenges – all of which are exacerbated by climate change.
UF Gulf Scholars, housed at the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service, aims to prepare students from diverse academic backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to address the complex and dynamic challenges facing Gulf communities.
As the program kicks off, we invite faculty applications for the UF Gulf Scholars Course Development Grant. If selected, recipients will receive $4,000 for new undergraduate level courses and $2,000 for the enhancement of existing undergraduate courses related to the Gulf of Mexico. Note that taxes and fringe will be deducted from these lump sum payments.
We are also excited to help integrate eligible new and existing courses into UF Quest 1 or Quest 2. Visit the following link for more information: UF Quest Faculty Information
Background
UF was recently one of five universities selected as a host institution for the third cohort of the Gulf Scholars Program, a five-year, $12.7 million pilot program funded by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The program aims to prepare undergraduate students to address pressing environmental, social, health, energy, and infrastructure challenges in the Gulf of Mexico region. Last fall, UF President Ben Sasse awarded an additional $414,000 in strategic funds from the state legislature to bolster the $475,000 grant.Â
UF Gulf Scholars will consist of several components: development of new and enhancement of existing classes related to the Gulf; experiential and place-based learning (research, internships, field excursions, etc.); faculty-mentored Gulf Impact Projects; and Gulf-related public programming. Each of these components will culminate in a Gulf studies minor or certificate.
With civic engagement, public service, and leadership at the forefront of UF Gulf Scholars programming, students will explore the environmental, social, economic, historical, political, and cultural dimensions of the Gulf. Through their participation in the program, students will be better equipped to promote stewardship, resilience, and innovation as they step into the workforce. Learn more in our web story.
Student learning outcomes
Aligned with the Gulf Research Program’s focus areas of community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship, and on- and offshore energy safety, the Gulf Scholars Program specifies key learning outcomes essential for student success.
These outcomes include: Developing knowledge of the Gulf region; fostering interdisciplinary and integrative learning; promoting intercultural knowledge and competencies; encouraging social responsibility and ethical reasoning; and fostering innovation and entrepreneurialism. For a more detailed version of these student learning outcomes, visit the following link:Â UF Gulf Scholars Student Learning Outcomes
Eligibility
Applications from faculty (tenure-track and non-tenure track with renewable appointments) across campus are welcomed, for we aim to ensure UF Gulf Scholars is truly interdisciplinary. Courses at all levels are encouraged, though we would like to keep upper-level courses accessible for students outside of a particular major. For this program’s purpose, the Gulf region encompasses more than just its coastline, featuring diverse communities ranging from Florida to Texas, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities. Through these course offerings, we hope to help students better understand the social and ecological connections well beyond the Gulf’s coastline.
Grant recipients will be required to submit a student roster at the beginning of the semester, as well as anonymized evaluation data on student learning outcomes after the semester has concluded.
To apply
Submit your application at the following link: UF Gulf Scholars Course Development/Enhancement Grant Application
Applications for new courses will require a course description (no more than two pages) outlining how the course will integrate Gulf-related themes, potential audience, student learning outcomes, and whether or not the course will include an experiential learning component. Applications for course enhancement will require a brief course description, an existing syllabus, and a description of proposed changes.
For your convenience, view a PDF of the full application.
If you would like to learn more about UF Gulf Scholars or have specific questions about your grant application, please consider attending our info session on April 16, 2024, from 12-1 p.m. in the Pugh Hall O’Neill reading room. Lunch will be served. RSVP at the following link: UF Gulf Scholars Faculty Info Session
Deadline
Apply by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024 to be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Contact
Rebecca Burton, UF Gulf Scholars Coordinator, Bob Graham Center for Public Service, rlburton@ufl.edu, 352-846-4723