Shaheen, Hassan Announce More Than $450,000 Headed to the University of New Hampshire to Bolster Climate Change Research and Coastal Infrastructure Resiliency Efforts

(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), chair of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), announced $456,941 in federal funds from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is heading to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to bolster climate change research and coastal resiliency efforts in New Hampshire’s Seacoast communities. The funding comes as part of the NSF's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which was enhanced significantly under the CHIPS and Science Act. Senator Hassan helped develop and pass into law this bipartisan legislation.

“As chair of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee that funds federal science agencies, including the NSF, addressing the climate crisis is always a top priority for me. I’m proud that the University of New Hampshire has secured this federal award to boost climate change resiliency efforts and research,” said Senator Shaheen. “Funding research in climate science is critical to supporting the longevity of New Hampshire’s Seacoast and other coastal communities around the country that face risks from rising sea levels and extreme weather.”

"Communities on New Hampshire's Seacoast are already feeling the impacts of climate change and know the threat that it poses to families and small businesses," said Senator Hassan. "I was proud to help negotiate and pass the CHIPS and Science Act because it included support for cutting-edge research on how to improve coastal resiliency, including this grant for the University of New Hampshire. I will continue working to ensure that the Granite State helps lead the country in preparing for the impacts of climate change.”

This funding is heading to UNH though Brown University’s EPSCoR-funded project, “Community-Driven Coastal Climate Research & Solutions (3CRS) for the Resilience of New England Coastal Populations.” This project will develop a community-driven hub for knowledge, data, modeling and human network infrastructure, aiming to develop strategies to enhance coastal resilience, particularly during floods. The project includes partnerships across the states of Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. UNH is intended to receive these funds over the course of 5 years to carry out this project, which will impact the Seacoast communities of Seabrook, Hampton and Portsmouth as well as communities along Great Bay, such as Durham, Newmarket, Exeter, Dover and Somersworth. This work will involve community partners in New Hampshire and across New England.

Senator Shaheen has been a strong advocate for STEM education and scientific research funding priorities. As the Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee – which funds the NSF – Shaheen secured $9.87 billion for the NSF in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus federal government funding bill– a historic increase of more than $1 billion above the prior year enacted level, which is the largest dollar increase of all time. This funding will support U.S. competitiveness in key areas like quantum computing, artificial intelligence and climate science, as well as help build an innovative workforce fueled by a diverse pipeline of scientists and engineers.

Senator Hassan has worked to invest in American research and manufacturing, and helped lead efforts to draft and pass the CHIPS and Science Act that will strengthen supply chains, lower costs and outcompete countries like China by investing in American research and manufacturing, especially for semiconductors. The bill prioritizes additional support for EPSCoR programs.

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