IAGLR awarded Erb Family Foundation grant to boost inclusion and impact in Great Lakes science and policy

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2025

Contact: Jérôme Marty, Executive Director, jmarty@iaglr.org

ANN ARBOR, MI — The International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) will receive $665,000 over three years from the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation to strengthen inclusive research, improve the flow of scientific information to policy makers, media, and the public, and support the next generation of Great Lakes scientists. 

This award will allow IAGLR to expand its communication platform by transforming its Lakes Letter magazine into a searchable, web‑based format and launching a coordinated social media strategy to highlight breakthrough research. The grant will also support IAGLR’s operations to respond quickly to media inquiries and produce concise policy briefs, ensuring decision makers have timely access to the latest science.

Additionally, it will support a range of inclusion‑focused activities. IAGLR and Indigenous leaders will co‑design culturally respectful opportunities for participation, expand its registration‑waiver program for Indigenous and Black scholars attending its annual conference, and support its newly formed Student and Early Career Committee. These efforts aim to build lasting partnerships with historically underserved communities and provide mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities for early‑career researchers.

“We are grateful for the Erb Family Foundation’s support at such a critical time for science,” said IAGLR Executive Director Jérôme Marty. “This grant provides the timely resources we need to strengthen our operations, share research in ways that both inform policy makers and engage the public, and mentor the next generation of scientists working to protect the Great Lakes.”

“Safeguarding the Great Lakes requires strong science and the inclusion of people from every background,” said Melissa Damaschke, president of the Erb Family Foundation. “We appreciate and recognize IAGLR’s essential role in building the region’s scientific capacity while ensuring that diverse perspectives, including those from underserved communities, inform decision making. By bringing more voices to the table, we strengthen both science and stewardship of the lakes.”

“An inclusive research community is essential for resilient lake stewardship,” added IAGLR President Donna Kashian. “By bringing Indigenous Knowledge, early‑career talent, and underrepresented scholars into the conversation, we create solutions that are scientifically sound and socially equitable, ensuring the Great Lakes thrive for generations to come.”

About IAGLR
The International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) is a global scientific community dedicated to studying and stewarding the world’s great lake ecosystems. Founded in 1967, IAGLR brings together a diverse network of researchers, educators, policy makers, practitioners, and Indigenous Knowledge holders who collaborate to advance understanding, inform sustainable management, and protect large lake ecosystems worldwide. Through conferences, publications, and outreach, the association nurtures interdisciplinary dialogue and the integration of multiple knowledge systems to safeguard these vital freshwater resources. Learn more at iaglr.org.

About the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation
The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, founded in 2008, envisions a flourishing, healthy, and resilient Great Lakes ecosystem and a culturally vibrant, sustainable Southeast Michigan. Toward this end, the Foundation strengthens the cultural and environmental organizations that share its vision to make this a reality for generations to come. The Foundation will conclude its grantmaking by 2034. For more information about its spenddown, please visit erbff.org.