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USC Sea Grant

USC Sea Grant Funding

Current Funding Opportunity

USC Sea Grant Request for Research Proposals: 2026-2028 Omnibus Funding Cycle

Overview

  • Funding Cycle: February 1, 2026 – January 31, 2028
  • Preliminary proposals for projects are due March 7, 2025, by 5 pm PST.
  • Click here to view USC Sea Grant’s Request for Preliminary Proposals PDF.

The University of Southern California Sea Grant Program (USCSG) is soliciting preliminary proposals for research projects of one or two years’ duration beginning February 1, 2026. Projects should focus on topics pertaining to the “Urban Ocean,” USC Sea Grant’s primary focus. University faculty and academic staff at California academic or research institutions are eligible to apply, and we encourage interdisciplinary and inter-institutional projects.

USC Sea Grant’s “Urban Ocean” research program supports projects directed at solving the particular problems associated with urbanization on and adjacent to the coastal zone. The program’s overall aims are to foster the use of sound scientific information to advance our understanding of coastal and ocean resources, to examine the ways we conserve and use these resources, and to support tools for evaluating issues and socio-economic trade-offs that comprise coastal decision making. USCSG works closely with funded researchers to ensure research results will have a broad reach to diverse California constituencies, with particular attention to communities in the Los Angeles region.

Guidelines for Submitting Preliminary Proposals

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact USC Sea Grant at seagrant@usc.edu to discuss potential projects and funding. Our office can serve as a regional clearinghouse for the coordination of complementary project proposals, and as a resource for research and education contacts.

All applicants must submit their proposals using eSeaGrant, USC Sea Grant’s electronic proposal submission and management system.

To learn how to submit a preliminary proposal and to access the full guidelines, read our 2026-2028 USC Sea Grant Request for Preliminary Proposals PDF.

Proposal Timeline

  • February 11, 2025, at 1pm PT: Webinar for potential applicants. RSVP here
  • March 7, 2025, by 5 pm PT: Preliminary proposal submission deadline
  • May 9, 2025: “Encouragement to submit full proposals” sent to PIs
  • June 23, 2025, by 5pm PT: Full proposal submission deadline
  • Mid-September 2025: Notification of funding decision sent to PIs
  • February 1, 2026: Project initiation (subject to the availability of funds)

Resources

  • The USC Sea Grant Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 outlines our program’s research and outreach goals.
  • The California Ocean Protection Council’s Strategic Plan also helps to inform our research program, providing information about California’s ocean management information needs. We encourage prospective researchers to consult the planning document, which was informed by state agencies with ocean and coastal jurisdictions, to ensure that research topics respond to State needs.

Contact Us

USC Sea Grant Staff

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Join our mailing list to receive USC Sea Grant’s monthly Urban Mariner e-newsletter, as well as periodic information on funding and fellowship opportunities, AdaptLA, and our Urban Tides Initiative.

USC Sea Grant

University of Southern California Sea Grant
3454 Trousdale Pkwy, CAS 200
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0153
(213) 740-1961
seagrant@usc.edu

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