The Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies is a newly endowed and developing institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Its mission is to support and advance the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. HRI will encourage a tri-national responsibility and approach to understanding the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, including the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, and it will promote excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary scientific research, public policy initiatives, and education of the public. Cooperation and collaboration with Gulf and tri-national partners will be a hallmark of HRI activity. A $46 million endowment was given by Mr. Edward H. Harte, philanthropist and former publisher of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, and the State of Texas provided an additional $18 million to build a facility to house HRI.