California Sea Grant

California Sea Grant Program Development Program

The Program Development program supports short-term activities that are either quick responses to unexpected events or program-development efforts. The turnaround time between the date of the request (proposal submission) and beginning of the project is 3–4 months. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the California Sea Grant Office before writing their Program Development proposal.

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; low priority is given to survey or inventory studies. Research that addresses important regional issues, problems and opportunities is also appropriate. An educational or outreach component of research projects is encouraged.

Requirements for Program Development Proposals

Criteria for Request
  1. 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 Core Proposal cycle.
  2. 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 Core Proposal cycle. Or, the proposal idea needs sufficient or additional preliminary data to make it competitive.
  3. Conference/Symposium/Workshop Support - Funds are needed to successfully execute a meeting with topical relevance to California Sea Grant (see Strategic or Implementation Plan for topics of interest to CSG- [Implementation Plan]). Funds typically are requested to provide travel support for invited speakers; to publish meeting proceedings and/or programs; and for meeting coordination. Grant funds should not be requested to cover entertainment-related (including food) expenses.
  4. Travel to Meetings to Present Findings from Sea Grant Funded Research - Funds are needed to cover one investigator (PI or student) to disseminate research results at a relevant scientific meeting that was unplanned and is taking place shortly after the end of the grant period.
Additional Requirements
  • Program Development proposals are restricted to one year in length (or less) and less than $10,000 in cost.
  • Proposals with project costs over $10,000 are sent, by California Sea Grant, to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) for review and approval (which will delay the award by at least two additional months).
  • Questions regarding indirect cost rates, employee benefit rates, percents of time, etc., should be addressed to your campus research office.
  • An electronic copy (minus signatures) and three (3) hard copies of a complete proposal are required. The original copy should be sent to your campus research office for approval. Send the signed original and two copies to the California Sea Grant Office.
  • Margins should be approximately 1 inch and type should be 12pt. Typed lines should be left justified.
  • Applicants need to contact the California Sea Grant Office and express their intent to submit a proposal. Proposals received without prior notification may not be considered.

Procedure for Submission, Selection & Award of New Sea Grant Projects:

  1. Contact Shauna Oh (858-534-4440; shaunaoh@ucsd.edu), Russ Moll (858-534-4440; rmoll@ucsd.edu), or Paul Olin (707-565-2621; pgolin@ucdavis.edu) to discuss intent to submit or to ask questions regarding program development.
  2. Submit electronic copy for consideration to Shauna Oh (shaunoh@ucsd.edu).
  3. Evaluation and consideration of program development request by California Sea Grant Management Team (typically meets monthly).
  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; 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 shaunaoh@ucsd.edu. Please abide by guideline specifications and page limitations.

Postaward Requirements

Postaward Requirements - A Project Questionnaire must be submitted at the conclusion of a Program Development project, but the technical narrative is not required. The questionnaire can be submitted online from the Post Award link above or a pdf version of the form can be downloaded.

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
Building T-16
8602 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037

For further assistance, contact the California Sea Grant Office:

Telephone: (858) 534-4440
Fax: (858) 534-2231

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