Fluorescent image of Lobophyllia hataii from the Great Barrier Reef. Dr. David Gruber and his team aim to explore the deep coral reefs of Mabini, Batangas, Philippines, in August/September 2011

Administered by National Geographic Mission Programs, the NGS/Waitt Grants Program makes grants between $5,000 and $15,000 for exploratory research - below is a list of the most recent awards granted. To date, the program has funded over 100 field projects.  For more information on the program, please visit the NGS/Waitt Grants section of our website.

Archaeology

Grantee: Christopher Morgan, Utah State University
Region: North America
Project: Wind River High Altitude Archaeology Project.
Abstract: Project is for remote-sensing and on-the-ground high-altitude archaeological studies in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, where recent discoveries of at least one and perhaps other substantial hunter-gatherer villages indicate excellent opportunities to address the history and ecology of when, how and why people chose to reside in such trying environmental settings. Globally, and particularly in North America, prehistoric high-altitude (over 3000 m) residential structures are exceedingly rare.

Grantee: Guido Pezzarossi, Stanford
Region:  Central America / Guatemala
Project: Highland Maya Colonial Archaeology Project.
Abstract: Interpretations of Maya histories claiming Maya “collapse” in the pre-colonial era and “disappearance” in the colonial era are rampant and yet the Maya populations of highland Guatemala today number well into the millions. This paradox has served to simultaneously efface the variability and survival of Maya populations past and present. An archaeological exploration of Maya persistence in the colonial period and beyond is able to address and challenge historical erasures and omissions in the documentary record that fuel such discourses. My PhD project will work to provide new perspectives on the nuances of Maya culture change in the colonial period and its implications for Maya survival in the colonial era and continued presence in the modern world.

Biology

How did the zebra get his stripes?

Grantee: Tim Caro, University of California Davis
Region: Africa
Project: Solving the Riddle of the Zebra.
Abstract: Zebras have black and white stripes but no one understands the evolutionary significance of their striking coat pattern despite much speculation. Scientific progress is constrained by difficulties in constructing and carrying out experimental tests that can tease apart competing hypotheses. This project aims to systematically address the functional hypotheses for pelage coloration in Burchell’s zebras.

Grantee: Daniel MacNulty, University of Minnesota
Region:  North America, Canada
Project: Establishing an Investigation of Climate Change Impacts on Wolf-Prey Dynamics in the High Arctic.
Abstract: The Arctic is rapidly warming in response to climate change. The ecological impacts include shrinking tundra and declining animal populations. Although interactions between predators and prey could modify these impacts, we know little about the effects of warming on predator-prey interactions. This project explores a High Arctic wolf-ungulate system for the study of climate change impacts on predator-prey interactions, thus taking an important step toward understanding how Arctic ecosystems respond to climate change.

Short-eared dog

Ecology

Grantee: Renata Leite Pitman, Frankfurt-Zoological Society
Region:  South America /Peru
Project: Unraveling the Secret Life of the Short-eared Dog with Crittercams and GPS Telemetry.
Abstract: This will be first professional video footage on the species. The team plans to get telemetry and ecological data on Oso’s post-release behavior, with high probability to lead to observations of other individuals of the species as well, as serve as guidelines for future reintroduction projects.

Marine Biology

More than 100 whale sharks surround a research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico

Grantee: Eric Hoffmayer, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Region:  N.A. Gulf of Mexico
Project: Assessing Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Whale Shark Population.
Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico provides essential habitat for the whale shark. The oil spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon platform explosion in the northern GOM is currently located in whale shark habitat and posing a critical threat to this species in the region. Whale sharks will be tagged with satellite transmitters, which will report real-time location estimates, to determine if they are being directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The luminous life of deep coral reefs

Grantee: David Gruber, CUNY Baruch College
Region: Asia
Project: The Luminous Life of Deep Coral Reefs.
Abstract: This project aims to explore the deep coral reefs of Israel in an expedition that spans two seas. Team members are in search of the elusive far-red fluorescent protein and have evidence that it may only exist at depth, at the bottom range of where photosynthesis can occur. A suitable far-red fluorescent protein would offer optical properties that could revolutionize disease research and illuminate the inner workings of the human brain.

Oceanography

Tsunami assessment on the ecology of Robinson Crusoe Island

Grantee: Alvaro Palma, Universidad Catolica de Chile
Region:  Oceania
Project: Before-after Assessment and Impact of the Tsunami Disturbance on the Ecology of the Shallow Water Benthic Community of Robinson Crusoe Island.
Abstract: A large tsunami catastrophically interrupted an ongoing marine research project on Robinson Crusoe Island. Some 600km west of the coast of Chile in the southeast Pacific, the island is unique for its high level of marine and terrestrial endemism including a fishery for the prized Robinson Crusoe Island lobster. Research projected prompted by (1) the occurrence of a large tsunami that affected the island of Robinson Crusoe; and (2) the existence of an ongoing marine ecology research project on the island since October of 2008.

Grantee: William Greenwood, Texas A&M
Region:  North America
Project: Foraging Where Nothing but Darkness Exists; The Invertebrate Food Web of a Submarine Spring.
Abstract: The Floridian aquifer is a highly utilized groundwater system encompassing the entire state of Florida, and portions of Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. Human-induced land use effects and pollution of the terrestrial environment can be seen offshore through the transport of nutrients and pollutants through the groundwater system. The origin and concentration of nutrients has been measured from the springheads, but little is known about the fate of the nutrients within the groundwater systems. The study will shed light on the interactions between invertebrate organisms living in the sediments of underground aquatic habitats and their roles in the fate of imported nutrients.

NGS/Waitt Grants:  June Awards

Archaeology - 2
Biology - 2
Cultural Anthropology - 0
Ecology - 1
Geography - 0
Geology - 0
Marine Biology - 2
Nautical Archaeology - 0
Oceanography - 2
Paleontology - 0