California sea grant 2024-2028 omnibus proposal project abstract california sea grant (casg) is one of 34 programs of the national sea grant college program network, headquartered at scripps…

California sea grant 2024-2028 omnibus proposal project abstract california sea grant (casg) is one of 34 programs of the national sea grant college program network, headquartered at scripps institution of oceanography at UC SAN diego and serving the 840 mile length of california outside of the LOS angeles region. California is the most populous state in the U.S. With 39 million residents, 68.5% of which live in coastal areas. The coast and waters of california form one of the most productive upwelling regions in the world supporting immense biodiversity and driving the coastal economy. Through its investments in research, workforce development, communications and extension, casg strives to create sustainable, equitable solutions that support california's extraordinary ecosystems and communities. This four-year omnibus proposal covers the period from 2/1/2024 to 1/31/2028 and addresses the strategic focus areas and goals of the 2024-2027 california sea grant strategic plan sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; healthy coastal ecosystems; resilient communities and economies; environmental literacy and workforce development; and diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility. For its research investment, casg will facilitate scientific discoveries and the generation of new knowledge in response to key questions about california's ocean, coasts and watershed through competitively selected extramural research that is peer reviewed for scientific merit and potential impact. Workforce development investment will include projects and programming that will transmit knowledge and skills through a variety of formal and informal training mechanisms, including fellowships, internships, traineeships and apprenticeships surrounding policy, research, extension, communications and industry practices. Embedded in communities along the coast, casg extension will engage and build relationships with coastal communities, key partners and community members to jointly identify and address pressing needs and new opportunities through applied research, technical assistance and outreach. The knowledge will then be collaboratively applied to address priority challenges and opportunities facing california. To create awareness and engagement that complements the research, education and extension activities, casg communications will utilize all forms of traditional, digital and emerging media to connect with those affected by sea grant-related topics. Casg anticipates the following outcomes and beneficiaries for 2024-2027: 1) reduced 50% match burden for prospective research applicants, increasing accessibility to casg funding from researchers at institutions of higher learning with greater teaching burden or with non-faculty appointments, 2) increased research opportunities for the very large community of researchers seeking casg support for their research, 3) increased workforce development opportunities for graduate students, undergraduates and non-traditional learners, with greater focus on underserved and underrepresented groups, 4) students in casg workforce development programs are better supported and prepared to pursue careers in marine and coastal science and/or policy, 5) fellowship host agencies and coastal communities have increased access to available expertise and capacity relevant to use, management and conservation of coastal and marine resources, and 6) new and strengthened partnerships with communities that reflect the diversity of people with interests in our strategic focus areas and engaged to identify, inform and implement priorities surrounding knowledge generation and appropriate communication, translation and application of knowledge for informed decision-making. Casg will work to deliver science, increase ocean literacy and engage communities to promote informed personal choices, participatory decision-making, workforce development and community planning processes to enable adaptation and mitigation to changing conditio