University of West Florida (UWF), founded in 1967, UWF serves a student population of approximately 10,000. UWF has three colleges, Arts and Sciences, Business and Professional Studies and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers undergraduate degrees in 50 different areas with 107 specializations, master's degrees in 24 different areas with 56 specializations, two specialist degrees, and a doctorate in education with seven specializations. Yearly an average of 300 international students representing over 60 countries, are welcomed at UWF. UWF’s 36 academic exchange agreements enrich its campuses with exchange students and scholars from different parts of the world, and its study abroad program is gaining in strength as students become aware of the value of international education in today’s globalized economy. At UWF, its highest priorities are the students and the academic programs that serve them. Its mission is to empower each individual it serves with knowledge and opportunity to contribute responsibly and creatively to a complex world. Website: www.uwf.edu

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - Founded in 1887, FAMU is a fully accredited land grant university committed to its mission of continuing education, research, and outreach programs that address the needs of learners and constituents. The university's current enrollment is comprised of approximately multi-cultural faculty of 550 and 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 13 colleges, schools, and one institute. It is a comprehensive university that has emerged into a nationally and internationally recognized institution offering academic degrees in a broad range of instruction, research and service programs at the undergraduate, professional and graduate levels, for the BA/BS undergraduate degrees in 63 programs; Master’s degrees in 37 programs; and PhD degrees in 11 programs. Historically, more than 87 percent of the student population is represented by African-Americans from a wide-range of economic and social backgrounds and about 200 international students, including several from Brazil. Faculties from within the Environmental Sciences Institute at Florida A&M University collaborating on this grant opportunity comprise of a strong interdisciplinary team of molecular microbiologist, biologist, and environmental chemist. Website: www.famu.edu