On June 2, 2022, California Sea Grant (CASG) released a
solicitation for a new program entitled Pathways to Inclusive Research Training Program. The purpose of the program is to “fund research mentors to pilot or expand innovative initiatives that involve undergraduate students in meaningful ways in research, foster a culture of belonging, and provide high-quality interaction of students with research mentors and professional development opportunities.” CASG is soliciting applications for one-year awards and will fund up to $600,000 worth of projects, with a minimum budget of $25,000, and a maximum budget of $75,000 (to include indirect costs, if any).
CASG requires a 25% non-federal match for this program. For example, if one applies for $75,000 of support from CASG, the match requirement is $18,750.
The program’s focus on student success, including the participation of students from historically excluded groups, aligns with COAST’s draft 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. As such, COAST is interested in facilitating CSU faculty members’ ability to apply to and be awarded funds from CASG. The non-federal match requirement has long been identified as a significant barrier to CSU faculty members applying to CASG. To reduce this barrier, COAST intends to provide part or all of the non-federal match for CSU PIs who
- Serve as lead PI on a proposal or co-PI on a proposal led by a CSU PI (COAST will NOT provide match to CSU PIs on proposals led by non-CSU institutions); and
- Otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of the solicitation (COAST is unable to answer questions regarding eligibility; please contact CASG directly).
Process for requesting matching funds from COAST
CASG has a two-phase application process consisting of the submission of Letters of Intent (LOIs) followed by full proposals. Applicants are required to submit the LOI to CASG by July 1, 2022. Please submit the LOI to COAST (
csucoast@csumb.edu) immediately after submitting it to CASG.
COAST staff will provide a letter of commitment to the PI. The PI will then submit a full proposal to CASG and will include the letter of commitment from COAST. The proposal will then be evaluated consistent with the proposal review and selection process described on the CASG website. Please note that COAST will not be involved in this process.
CSU faculty who have received provisional match commitment from COAST must submit the following items to COAST by 5:00 pm on July 29, 2022:
- An exact and complete copy of the full proposal submitted to CASG on July 28, 2022.
- A line-item budget and justification for the provisional match (see Budget guidelines section below).
These materials must be submitted through the campus' pre-award offices as a single PDF file emailed to
csucoast@csumb.edu by the stated deadline.
Budget guidelines
COAST match funding may be used only for CSU expenses. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, CSU faculty member reassigned time funding, academic year additional employment or summer salary; support for CSU students; equipment retained and controlled by CSU; and travel. Use the
budget template and these
instructions.
The funding for the COAST match originates from legislatively appropriated funds and is subject to CSU Executive Order 753/1000. As such, awards are not subject to campus indirect costs (facilities and administrative fees). Justified direct administrative costs are allowed. This value cannot exceed 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). The recipient campus assumes all responsibility for compliance with this provision.
Proposals recommended for funding by CASG
CASG will select proposals for funding and notify COAST as needed. COAST will send a notice of award to the PI’s campus and will transfer the entirety of the matching funds via Interagency Financial Transactions (IFT, formally known as CPO). The campus will designate the location for the award financial management. This location may include an auxiliary, research foundation, and/or corporation (hereafter referred to as auxiliary). If an auxiliary is designated for award financial management, the auxiliary will incur project expenses and then invoice the state side.
All funding described in this announcement is contingent upon COAST’s receipt of legislatively appropriated funds from the California State University.