GRI Research Board Announces Request for Proposals for BP's $500 Million Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

The $500 million GRI is funded by BP and administered by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.
"We are pleased that the Research Board has reached this important milestone in the development of the GRI," said David Rainey, Vice President of Science, Technology, Environment, and Regulatory Affairs, for BP's Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. "We are deeply grateful to the Research Board for their efforts to develop a rigorous, fair, and transparent scientific process."
Today's announcement details the provisions for administering the remaining years of the 10-year program. The independent Research Board of the GRI has created a selection process that includes an open Request for Proposals, peer review of the submissions, selection of the Research Consortia to study the five research themes, and award of funds during the summer of 2011.
"I have been very impressed by the commitment of every member of the Research Board to create the sustainable processes that now underpin a program of the highest possible scientific quality," said Rita Colwell, the Chair of the Research Board. "I could not have asked for a better team to take on this important challenge."