California Sea Grant

California Sea Grant Program Development Proposals –
Special Solicitation for 2008

The Program Development Proposal program is designed to provide California Sea Grant management with the ability to support short-term activities that represent innovative approaches to addressing marine-resource issues without the long-term lag time inherent in the proposal cycle. Typically, these activities can be categorized as either quick responses to unexpected events or program-development efforts.

For 2008, California Sea Grant is soliciting program development proposals from investigators with the hope of funding approximately 10 one-year projects beginning in February 2008 and ending in January 2009. Each program development project is eligible for funding up to $10,000 plus additional funds to support one trainee for one year. The turnaround time between the time of the request (proposal submission) and beginning of the project will be about one month. Proponents are strongly encouraged to contact the California Sea Grant Office to discuss the development of their program development request.

The California Sea Grant College Program emphasizes innovative research on ocean and coastal resources and processes with a well-developed rationale and a strong potential for broad application. University-based research that has broad national or international application is appropriate. Work with a strong theoretical basis that encompasses clear, testable hypotheses is desirable; lower priority is given to survey or inventory studies. Research that addresses important regional issues, problems, and opportunities is also appropriate. An educational and/or outreach component of research projects are encouraged. Investigators who have not received prior research support from California Sea Grant are particularly encouraged to apply.

Requirements for Program Development Proposals

Criteria for Request

Timeliness/Urgency of the Research - Because conditions in the marine environment can change rapidly as a result of both human and natural causes, problems that need immediate attention can arise and are not amenable to waiting until the next California Sea Grant proposal cycle.

Proof of Concept/Preliminary Data - A small, short project is needed to demonstrate that the concept or approach has merit especially in light of plans to develop a full proposal in the next California Sea Grant proposal cycle. Or, the proposal idea needs sufficient or additional preliminary data to make it competitive.

Additional Requirements

Program development proposals are restricted to one year in length (or less) and less than $10,000 in cost. In addition, funds for one trainee for one year may be added to the award if requested in the proposal.

Questions regarding indirect cost rates, employee benefit rates, percents of time, etc., should be addressed to your campus research office.

Only one electronic copy of a complete proposal is required.

For the purposes of reviewing the program development proposals, university signatures on the cover sheet are not mandatory. A signed project cover sheet will be necessary for the proposals that receive funding.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the California Sea Grant Office and express their intent to submit a proposal and/or to discuss research topics.

Procedure for Submission, Selection, & Award of Program Development Projects:
  1. Contact Russ Moll (858-534-4440; rmoll@ucsd.edu), Paul Olin (707-565-2621; pgolin@ucdavis.edu), or Shauna Oh (858-822-2708; shaunaoh@ucsd.edu) to discuss intent to submit or research topic. Contact Debi Jeffery (858-534-4601; djeffery@ucsd.edu) for submission questions.
  2. Submit electronic copy for consideration to Russ Moll (rmoll@ucsd.edu) by January 29, 2008.
  3. Evaluation and consideration of program development requests by California Sea Grant Management Team (early February 2008).
  4. Budget or proposal adjustments to conform to funding decision.
  5. Submit signed original and 2 hard copies.
  6. Receipt of award letter and conditions of award March 2008; project begins.
General Description of Proposal Contents

Listed below are the contents of a program development proposal. Links to sample forms can be found in the text. All of the required forms can be found on the forms page. A complete proposal must be submitted electronically to rmoll@ucsd.edu.

  1. Cover Sheet [See Forms Page] - Complete as indicated (signatures are optional until the proposal is funded).
  2. Narrative [Instructions]- Limit the narrative to a maximum of 5 pages, single-spaced. The narrative limit does not include references.
  3. Budget Summary and Source of Matching Funds Forms [Instructions] Forms - [See Forms Page] Direct any questions regarding indirect cost rates, employee benefit rates, percents of time, etc., to your campus research office.
  4. Curriculum Vitae [Instructions] - Brief c.v.'s (2 page) are required for principal investigators.
  5. Current Research Support Form [See Forms Page]

Please note: Once a proposal is funded, a Project Summary form will be required.

Postaward Requirements

Within 45 days of the completion of the program development project, California Sea Grant requires a Progress Report. The Progress Report can be submitted online from the Post Award link above or a pdf version of the form can be downloaded and emailed.

Regular Mailing Address

University of California
California Sea Grant College
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0232
La Jolla, CA 92093-0232

For Overnight FedEx Delivery

California Sea Grant College
8602 La Jolla Shores Drive
Bldg. T-16
La Jolla, CA 92037

For further assistance, contact the California Sea Grant Office:

Telephone: (858) 534-4440

Fax: (858) 534-2231