Sea Grant Preliminary Proposal Index

Call for Preliminary Proposals 2013

The California Sea Grant College Program is now soliciting preliminary proposals for projects to begin February 1, 2013. Faculty and academic staff from universities and scientists from research institutions throughout California are invited to apply.

California Sea Grant continues to focus on the following integrated themes:

Healthy Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Resilient Coastal Communities
New Technologies and Products
Safe and Sustainable Seafood Supply
Effective Response to Climate Change

1) California Sea Grant Research Proposals

OUR ALTERNATING YEAR POLICY: Effective last year, CA Sea Grant is managing its core research proposals and Awards under an “alternating year plan.”

(1) For proposals submitted in odd-numbered years (as was true for last year's call) we solicit proposals for “Standard Core Awards” at levels of funding up to a maximum of $125,000/year (we expect the “average” award size will be approximately $100,000/year), plus one graduate trainee. We strongly encourage Standard Core Awards of 2 years duration, although proposers may argue the need for 3-year awards if circumstances and the quality/importance of the research are exceptional.

(2) For proposals submitted in even-numbered years (in effect this year for FY2013 funding consideration) we will solicit requests for small, 1-year awards. These smaller awards will be issued as Special Focus Awards (that will be targeted toward specific Strategic Focus Areas identified in each year’s call for proposals). The Focus Areas targeted for Special Focus Awards will come from those identified in the California and National Sea Grant Strategic Plans that are deemed to deserve special attention that year (e.g., due to underinvestment), or from especially important and timely topics. Special Focus Awards will be of 1-year duration and will provide funding up to $40,000 plus optionally up to $10,000 extra dedicated to an explicit specific outreach or communication component to the program.

CURRENT CALL: This year we are soliciting applications for 1-year Special Focus Awards only. We will use these 1-year long projects to accomplish two separate goals:

First, we wish to increase our investments in research that falls under our Strategic Focus Area “Resilient Coastal Communities.” Accordingly we invite applications for research that addresses either of two objectives:

Study and quantify the cumulative impacts of population growth, coastal development, and increased beach use on marine/coastal natural resources or harbor communities
Study and quantify the economic values of coastal resources and communities.

In either case quantification should include expression in terms of monetary value. We are interested in the valuation of coastal/marine natural resources and communities due to implications for management. For work that addresses either objective, it would be beneficial for the proposer to describe how specifically targeted groups will learn about and benefit from research outcomes through outreach, communications or education activities.

Second, we will consider for Special Focus Awards applications from “new” faculty-level scientists (i.e., those holding their first faculty position (anywhere) who started work in that position no earlier than July 1, 2009). If you have questions about your eligibility for these awards, please contact the California Sea Grant Director (Jim Eckman, 858-534-4440, jeckman@ucsd.edu) or Assistant Director (Shauna Oh, 858-822-2708, shaunaoh@ucsd.edu). “New faculty” may propose research falling under any area of relevance to California Sea Grant. These applicants are encouraged to look at the full 2010–2013 Strategic Plans for more information on California Sea Grant and National Sea Grant research priorities, and then focus on the specific issue(s) of interest to them.

California Sea Grant Strategic Plan:
http://www.csgc.ucsd.edu/BOOKSTORE/Resources/SP10-13.pdf

National Sea Grant Strategic Plan:
http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/other/admininfo/documents/0209_stratplan.pdf

A potential applicant is welcome to contact California Sea Grant personnel to receive more specific feedback concerning particular research issues.