The National Sea Grant College Program, established by U.S. Congress in 1966 (and amended in 2020), aims to utilize the intellectual capacity of the nation’s universities and research institutions through federal and state partnerships to solve problems and generate opportunities in coastal communities.
The California Sea Grant College Program calls for research proposals that address aquaculture-specific goals and objectives within their 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, notably in the Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture section. The grant seeks projects that both pose significant intellectual questions and offer practical applications for California's coastal or ocean issues. Projects are encouraged to yield measurable impacts on local economies, communities, and the environment, requiring collaboration with aquaculture practitioners to ensure the research is relevant and utilized by stakeholders. Priority topics for the grant include research on multi-stressors affecting aquaculture, the economic and social perceptions of aquaculture in California, co-location opportunities for aquaculture, the health benefits and risks of aquaculture products, and the commercial assessment of native species, excluding salmonid restoration. Proposals should also integrate training and outreach components, focusing on the grant’s Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture goals and incorporate aspects of their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA) strategies.