The goal of this funding opportunity is principally to improve regulatory outcomes through greater understanding of the human health risk and ecological risk due to deep ocean DDT+ deposits (i.e., ocean disposal sites, other coastal sources, and DDT processes) in the Southern California Bight. Thus, the funding priorities outlined below are driven both by State Water Board management needs and the findings of the recently released Deep Ocean DDT+ Research Needs Assessment for the Southern California Bight report. The report, led by University of Southern California Sea Grant (USCSG) and California Sea Grant (CASG), collectively referred to here as Sea Grant, presents a community-driven agenda for needed investments in DDT+ research, including addressing site characterization, environmental and ecological health, and human health and well-being. The geographic scope of relevancy for all funded research projects will be limited to the Southern California Bight (i.e., coastal San Diego to Conception Point, including the Channel Islands).
The State Water Board and Sea Grant are jointly soliciting applications for awards of up to 18-months in duration, and will fund up to $5,200,000 worth of projects. Applicants are recommended to propose budgets that do not exceed $2,000,000 (to include indirect costs, if any); budgets may exceed $2,000,000 if good cause is provided and the DWQ Deputy Director approves the exceedance. Multi-institution/highly collaborative proposals are encouraged. Projects are expected to start on June 1, 2023, and end by November 30, 2024. There is no guarantee that any application will be selected for funding.
Important dates:
February 1, 2023, 10:00 – 11:15AM PT: Optional Informational Webinar and Researcher Mixer
February 14, 2023, 5:00PM PT: Letter of intent due in eSeaGrant
March 28, 2023, 5:00PM PT: Full proposals due in eSeaGrant