Congressman Gonzalez Announces Almost $375,000 in National Science Foundation Grant for UTRGV

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was awarded $374,998 in federal grant funding by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF grant will support Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave-Observatory (LIGO) instrumentation and data analysis.

This grant will additionally provide funding for new gravitational wave detection techniques and experimental innovations to enhance the probability of discovering new gravitational waves sources.

"Only recently have scientists been able to detect gravitational waves caused by some of the most violent and energetic events in the universe thanks to advanced LIGO technology," said Congressman Gonzalez. "We need to continue funding research like this to better understand the origins of the cosmos and ultimately mankind. I am proud to know that some of the leading scientists in this field of study call the Rio Grande Valley home and base their research and teachings out of South Texas. I will continue to do all I can to provide them with resources for research and development to continue their advancements in observing space and time."

"UTRGV's Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy has played an important role in several historic findings over the past several years, and this grant allows the center to continue its impactful research," said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. "I thank Congressman Gonzalez and everyone at UTRGV who assisted in obtaining this grant."

For more information on the National Science Foundation Grant, click here.