Funding Database: Community Collaborative

Community Collaborative Research Grant

The Community Collaborative Research Grant funds research approaches that couple local knowledge with scientific expertise. Funded projects seek to address important coastal challenges and statewide water resource issues. The 2023 grant cycle called for projects focused on strategies and solutions that can address human health challenges caused by the changing environment. 

The North Carolina Sea Grant partners with the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science at North Carolina State University to offer this funding.

Eligible Applicants

Each project must be led by a two-person team. The team should consist of one scientific expert and one local expert. Eligible applicants include faculty from higher education, staff from local and state government, staff from nongovernmental organizations, North Carolina business owners and private residents. North Carolina Sea Grant employees and WRRI employees are not eligible.

Eligible Projects

Projects should focus on North Carolina’s coastal waters or water resource issues. Proposals should include strategies and solutions that mitigate or reverse the negative effects of climate change. North Carolina Sea Grant encourages approaches that are technical, managerial, economic or policy related. Applicants must detail how they will transfer their findings to community and academic stakeholders.

Proposals also must include concise project objectives or research questions. Projects that only feature monitoring or workshops are not eligible.

Funding Amount

For the 2022-2023 grant cycle, awards ranged from $5,000 to $25,000. The North Carolina Sea grant estimates making between two and 10 awards per year, depending on funding availability and proposal quality.

Match Requirements

A funding match is encouraged but not required.

Application Schedule

The application opens annually, pending funding availability. During the 2022-2023 grant cycle, applications were due Dec. 21, 2022. Funding partners announced winners March 10, 2023, and projects started April 1, 2023. Projects must be complete within one year of the start date.

Application Process

Submit proposals via the eSeaGrant online proposal management portal.

Application Assistance

The NC Sea Grant Strategic Plan (PDF), WRRI Strategic Plan, and Kenan Institute Fiscal Year Goals and Accomplishments (PDF) lay out focus areas, goals and strategies that can help you clearly align your proposed work for reviewers. The grant’s coordinating partners encourage applicants to consult with North Carolina Sea Grant or WRRI staff for assistance with project idea and proposal development. Staff can assist in identifying project team members on request.

Funding Source

Funding comes from NC Sea Grant, WRRI and the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science at NC State University.