Biennial Request for Proposals

two researchers wearing wetsuits and snorkel gear

Every two years, the New Hampshire Sea Grant Program issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for those seeking major (≤$100K plus 50% match per year) funding for research projects. During 2023, NH Sea Grant will be reviewing proposals from investigators for one or two-year research funding during the 2024-2025 cycle, which officially runs February 1, 2024 - January 31, 2026. A brief summary of this opportunity is provided below along with links to additional information.

The guiding philosophy for NH Sea Grant is to serve the state and region by funding innovative and cutting-edge research integrated with expert extension, outreach, and education to support dialogue and science-based decision-making in areas of particular importance to our region. To meet our mission, we seek to foster and support the highest quality marine and coastal research and education projects that relate to the NH Sea Grant Program’s Strategic Plan’s Focus Areas:

  1. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
  2. Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
  3. Resilient Communities and Economies
  4. Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development

The 2024-2027 NH Sea Grant Strategic Plan provides specific guidance on goals for research, extension and education in relation to these focus areas. Investigators writing research proposals should carefully read this document and consider how their proposed project aligns with the research theme and/or the broader goals of NHSG. PIs should also pay attention to the core values and crosscutting principles in the Strategic Plan to consider how they can contribute potential research and extension topic areas, including environmental justice, diversity, equality and inclusion related issues.

For the 2024-2025 RFP, NH Sea Grant will also encourage proposals that relate to aquaculture research. However, all high-quality proposals addressing any of the Focus Areas outlined in NH Sea Grant’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan will be given equal consideration.

Successful proposals will clearly identify and delineate a process for engaging end-users of the resulting research, and robust outreach, engagement and extension activities will be a requirement for all proposals. Thus, we strongly recommend that researchers seek out external partners and/or work with NH Sea Grant extension specialists and educators as early as possible to ensure that their direct input regarding identification/engagement with potential end-users is integrated during the proposal development process.

See all guidelines, proposal instructions and process for preparing and submitting proposals, including information related to "Integrating Extension and Outreach and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA) Principles to Your Proposal” in the downloadable RFP announcement.

Download 2024-2025 Biennial RFP Announcement/Instructions

eSeaGrant Portal

Important Deadlines

  • Pre-proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on February 10, 2023.
  • Notification of the status of the review of all pre-proposals will be made by March 27, 2023.
  • Full proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 2, 2023.

RFP Contact

Steve Jones
Associate Director
Assistant Director for Research
stephen.jones@unh.edu
(603) 862-5124

eSeaGrant Submission Portal Contact

Michelle Lemos
Program Assistant
michelle.lemos@unh.edu
(603) 862-6702

Biennial RFP Information Session

Hosted December 19, 2022 | Download Agenda

RFP Calendar

Dec. 19, 2022

Virtual RFP information Session

Feb. 1, 2023
RFP information session after the 2023 NH Sea Grant Research Symposium

Feb. 10
Pre-proposals due by 5 p.m.

March 21
Pre-proposals reviewed by Preliminary Review Panel and NH Sea Grant Executive Committee

March 31
Review recommendations sent to PIs regarding preliminary outcomes and development of full proposals

April 7
Intent to submit letters required from unencouraged proposals only

April 15
PIs submit list of suggested peer reviewers to NH Sea Grant by 5 p.m.

June 2
Full proposals due by 5 p.m.

June/July
Full proposals sent to peer reviewers

July 31
Blinded peer reviews provided to PIs

Aug. 14
PI rebuttals due to NH Sea Grant by 5 p.m.

September
Full proposals reviewed by Technical Review Panel and NH Sea Grant's Executive Committee

Sept. 15
Applicants notified of review outcomes and funding decisions

October
NH Sea Grant Omnibus proposal produced and submitted to the National Sea Grant Office

Feb. 1, 2024
Beginning of research project funding for 2024-2025 awards

Spring 2024
Researcher on-boarding workshop hosted by NH Sea Grant

Jan/Feb 2025
PI participation in biennial NH Sea Grant Research Symposium

Jan. 31, 2026
End of 2024-2025 funding cycle