North Carolina Sea Grant Calls for Preproposals for Applied Coastal Research

For Immediate Release 

Contact: John Fear, jmfear@ncsu.edu

DEADLINE:  January 13, 5 p.m. ET

North Carolina Sea Grant is now accepting preproposals for the 2026–2028 applied research grant cycle, with awards up to $150,000 each for projects that address problems affecting coastal ecosystems, economies, and communities. The deadline for preproposals is January 13, 2025.

“This funding opportunity continues our tradition of connecting innovative research and outreach programs across our state’s public and private universities with coastal and inland communities to address critical, place-based, needs,” says Susan White, North Carolina Sea Grant’s executive director. “Many areas of our state, from the mountains to the sea, face a combination of challenges — including economic, social, and environmental stressors.”

North Carolina Sea Grant uses a two-step process for core funding. First, researchers submit preproposals that outline their research, its need within the state, the approach and strategy, and team members. A preproposal is required by January 13 before researchers may submit a full proposal for the final competitive review in 2025.

North Carolina Sea Grant’s research and extension programs create and facilitate research opportunities for faculty and students of all backgrounds and abilities. Proposed work should align with Sea Grant’s multidisciplinary and integrated program of applied research, outreach, and education under one or more of these focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Resilient Communities and Economies, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development.

“Sea Grant strives to fund applied research,” says John Fear, North Carolina Sea Grant’s deputy director. “Researchers must document how their project will be translated into extension and outreach activities and products.” 

Lead investigators from any institution of higher education in North Carolina can submit proposals. Postdoctoral researchers and federal employees are not eligible to apply as principal investigators but can be project participants. Collaborators can come from academia, industry, government, and other areas.

“We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, bringing their unique perspectives and expertise, to address the grand challenges faced within our coastal systems,” says White.

North Carolina Sea Grant will review preproposals with regard to relevancy and need, approach, and transferability:

• Will the project help address a high priority coastal or inland issue? Does the project address North Carolina Sea Grant’s Strategic Plan?
• Are the proposed methods appropriate to complete the work?
• Is it clear the results of the work will be provided to end-users, and do they want this research and results?

2026–2028 research grants will fund projects that begin February 1, 2026, and finish by January 31, 2028. 

Detailed instructions and application materials are available here.

For questions, contact John Fear at jmfear@ncsu.edu or Susan White at snwhite3@ncsu.edu.