TUSCALOOSA — The University of Alabama’s Global Water Security Center will receive $11.5 million in funding over the next two years from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance its crucial work that supports national security.
The funds will support the center’s analysis of global environmental factors affecting politics and security. This work will help inform key DOD decision makers.
“We are honored to work with the talented scientists, analysts and decision makers at the U.S. Department of Defense,” said GWSC Director Mike Gremillion. “Our work will complement theirs by translating the best available science into a format that can be easily used to make important decisions that will enhance U.S. national security.”
The center, which is housed under UA’s Alabama Water Institute, opened under Gremillion’s leadership with seed funding from UA in 2021. The center provides detailed analysis of water data, translating the raw numbers and then putting it into a local or regional context. Analysis products might focus on the impact of an El Niño season, for example, or the political instability of a region due to extended drought.
Bolstered by the DOD funding as part of a five-year cooperative agreement, GWSC’s work is critical to national security planning. A 2021 report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence noted that future water instability will bring a strain on energy and food systems, negative health consequences, internal insecurity and conflict, greater demand for aid and humanitarian relief and strain on military readiness.
Because of the impact of its work, the center was recognized in 2022 as part of the U.S. National Global Water Strategy, supporting the DOD’s Strategic Objective 4: Anticipate and Reduce Conflict and Fragility Related to Water.
UA’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development Bryan Boudouris said the support from the DOD further recognizes UA’s position at the forefront of water security research.
“The Global Water Security Center fills a critical role by identifying and addressing research growth areas in one of our most precious resources,” Boudouris said. ”This strong support from the Department of Defense highlights UA’s position at the forefront of water security research, which is a critical component of national security.
“Strategic collaboration with the DOD will allow researchers to analyze and address today’s issues, create innovative, forward-thinking solutions, and lead the globe in anticipating future opportunities.”
Alabama Water Institute Director Matt Womble touted Gremillion’s leadership and the support of UA’s Office of Research and Economic development as keys to the center’s success.
“Mike came to UA with a clear vision for how this center could provide the federal government with vital information that can make our nation a safer place,” Womble said. “This would not have been possible without the support of ORED and the University’s commitment to bringing in top-tier leaders and researchers to do this work.”
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