OSRI on Your Side
OSRI is a support organization that bolsters talented thinkers to improve marine oil spill response.
Local, Practical, and Responsive
OSRI funds important research projects, and puts the findings directly to work in Alaskan communities. Learn how you can contribute to this work.
Submit a Proposal
See current RFPs and learn how to apply for funding.
Review Research
Browse more than 20 years of projects funded by OSRI grants.
Educate Yourself
Find oil spill response resources at worldwide organizations.
Become a Partner
Contact OSRI to let us know how we can work together with your organization
Latest News
Request for Applications for ‘Two Petes Award’
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2023 STC Nomination Announcement
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Download Our Research Plan
The best way to understand OSRI’s focus today and in the near future is to read our current plan.
History of OSRI
The Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute is a legacy of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The organization was mandated in the resulting Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Since then, OSRI has supported research and education efforts to improve our ability to respond to oil spills and better understand their impacts to people and wildlife.
OSRI is an important organization because it continues to be the wakeup call to always look at technologies, research, and monitoring, so we’re prepared for the next oil spill.
OSRI’s Four-Part Mission
OSRI’s mission is to support research, education, and demonstration projects that improve understanding of and response to oil spills in Arctic and Subarctic marine environments. Our Research Plan is organized around four strategic goals: Understand, Respond, Inform, and Partner.
Understand
OSRI seeks research that improves our understanding of the transport, fate, and consequences of oil spills. Particularly the potential impacts to people, wildlife and the environment and how they recover after a spill.
We currently are working to identify appropriate projects that will allow us to better understand the impacts of oil spills to food safety in subsistence communities.
Seasonal Distribution of Forage Fish
How Alaskan wildlife is likely to be impacted by a spill. More→
Hydrological Modeling and Validation
Improving the ability to predict where a spill may go. More→
Respond
OSRI seeks development and demonstration projects that improve our ability to respond to oil spills in the marine environment.
We are currently partnering with industry and the government to develop a remotely operated surface vessel for oil spill response that is easy to transport to remote locations and can reduce the need to put people into dangerous situations.
New Skimmer Designs
Research, development, and testing. More→
Dog Detection of Oil
Using canines to detect oil buried in a beach and testing ways to test oil under ice. More→
Inform
OSRI seeks to share information about oil spill recovery and to train the future response community through a variety of methods.
International Field Guide
A common resource for oil spill response used around the world. More→
'Darkened Waters' Museum DIsplay
A museum display describing the Exxon Valdez oil spill. More→
Partner
OSRI is continually searching for partnerships that allow for shared funding, facilities, knowledge, and experience. There is too much expensive work that needs to be done for one organization to tackle on its own. Please reach out to the OSRI Program Manager if you are interested in partnering with us.
North Pacific Research Board
Joint funding of research projects in Prince William Sound and the Chukchi Sea. More→