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Aerial photograph of a boat navigating the tidal marsh lands off of Cedar Key, Florida.
Aerial photograph of a boat navigating the tidal marsh lands off of Cedar Key, Florida. UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones

UF Gulf Scholars

Applications Open for UF Gulf Scholars Course Development/Enhancement Grants for Faculty
Applications Open for UF Gulf Scholars Oral History Field Excursion

UF Gulf Scholars

UF Gulf Scholars aims to prepare students from diverse academic backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to address the complex and dynamic challenges facing Gulf of Mexico communities.

With a focus on civic engagement, public service, and leadership, students will explore the environmental, social, economic, historical, 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.

Program Components

  • Gulf-focused academic courses
  • Experiential and place-based learning opportunities (research, internships, field excursions, etc.)
  • Faculty-mentored Gulf Impact Projects
  • Future of the Gulf Summit
  • Gulf-focused public programs
  • Each of these components will culminate in a Gulf studies minor or certificate

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. 

For Students

Applications are now open for our UF Gulf Scholars Oral History Field Excursion: Documenting the Legacy of Environmental Harm and Heroism in Pensacola, Florida. Apply by May 19!

Students can expect to register for Gulf Scholars classes as early as Spring 2025. Information about experiential learning opportunities (research, internships, field excursions, etc.) and support for Gulf Impact Projects will be announced in the coming months. 

Interested in learning more about Gulf Scholars ? Fill out this form so you can be the first to hear about program opportunities. 

For Faculty and Staff

As the program kicks off, we invite faculty applications for the UF Gulf Scholars Course Development Grant.

Requests for proposals for experiential learning opportunities, internships and Gulf Impact Projects will be announced in the coming months. Interested in learning more about Gulf Scholars? Fill out this form so you can be the first to hear about program opportunities. 

For questions, contact

Rebecca Burton
UF Gulf Scholars Coordinator
UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service
352-846-4723
rlburton@ufl.edu

Team

Principal Investigator
Matthew Jacobs, Bob Graham Center Director
mjacobs@ufl.edu
(352) 846-1575

Program Coordinator
Rebecca Burton
rlburton@ufl.edu
(352) 846-4723

Student Assistant
Radhika Subramanian
r.subramanian@ufl.edu