William & Mary

Water Initiative Updates

The updates below reflect progress made toward the goals for this initiative. Updates are made at the end of the fall and spring semesters.

Water Initiative Semester Updates
Spring 2022 Since February 2022, W&M's Virginia Institute of Marine Science has secured additional funding from the state legislature to advance innovative work in coastal and marine ecosystems. While that important work moves forward, we are considering restructuring existing areas and catalyzing new transdisciplinary thinking around the biggest water-related challenges in coastal and marine systems. We are also strengthening current partnerships and creating new ones with other academic institutions, the private sector and the government to strengthen our leadership in building resiliency in our oceans, coasts and waterways.
Fall 2022 Marine Science and W&M's other schools are scaling up robust research collaborations and building innovative new connections to ensure that W&M is leading in water-related scholarship, education, outreach and engagement. Scholars studying economic resilience, renewable energy, coastal ecosystems, policy and law are partnering on initiatives that will spur conservation and sustainability around the world. In addition, W&M is growing academic programming for undergraduates in this field to complement the world-class graduate programs that already flourish here.
Spring 2023 This spring the university announced an institution-wide coastal resiliency initiative, led by VIMS, the nation’s leading marine science institute focused on coastal resilience. Harnessing W&M’s strengths in coastal sciences, policy, economics, conservation and law, the new initiative will expand research and address stakeholder, business and policymaker needs in Virginia. Other high-impact initiatives include: A national project to remove derelict fishing gear from coastal waters, recommended for an $8M grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; The formation of a cross-university team of natural scientists, social scientists and humanists studying conservation and social issues in Nepal; The Whole of Government Center for Excellence’s Annual National Security Conference focused on “Fostering Climate Resilience for a More Secure World.”
Fall 2023 Updates are posted at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Stay tuned.
Spring 2024 Updates are posted at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Stay tuned.
Fall 2024 Updates are posted at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Stay tuned.
Spring 2025 Updates are posted at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Stay tuned.
Fall 2025 Updates are posted at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Stay tuned.
Spring 2026 Updates are posted at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Stay tuned.