NSF has a special "Rapid Response Research" progam that they've initiated to generate new approaches to handing the oil gusher BP has launched against our country. Here's the info:
,,, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has in place a mechanism to receive and review proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment, as well as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events.
It provides up to a maximum of $200,000 of funding for a year. After that, projects can be expanded or extended via their regular evaluation protocol.
They have more information here. They ask that anyone considering applying contact the appropriate program officer before submitting a proposal. For the Ocean Sciences department, this would be Bill Taylor at (703) 292-7715. The staff roster for other personnel in that department is here, and a full roster of other NSF deparments (including engineering, other geosciences and biosciences) can be found here.