LaDon Swann
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
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Status: Current
Type:
Project Leaders
Sea Grant Funds: $169,527
Project Date Range: 02-01-2024 to 01-31-2028
Keywords: PD, program development, grants
Objectives
A limited amount (less than 10 percent) of Mississippi-Alabama’s Sea Grant Consortium’s (MASGC) annual budget will be set-aside to support program development (PD) projects. PD projects are available to support investigators in Alabama and Mississippi to conduct research, education and engagement projects in one of MASGC’s four focus areas. PD projects allow MASGC to support small-scale research, education and engagement projects to respond to emerging issues or to allow investigators to obtain preliminary data to ultimately leverage larger grants and funding opportunities.
Methodology
The MASGC Management Team, Board of Directors, Advisory Council and other constituents identified and prioritized key issues and needs to be addressed that are appropriate for MASGC research, education and extension efforts. The priorities are outlined in the 2024-2027 MASGC Strategic Plan. The Director, Outreach and Deputy Director and other MT members will encourage investigators to develop proposals that will focus stakeholder relevant and technically sound projects. They will do so by striving to match short-term and long-term priorities with the intellectual strengths and resources of the Consortium. Program development opportunities will be advertised on the MASGC website. These opportunities also will be shared verbally when investigators inquire about resources that match MASGC strategic plan priorities or another stakeholder need that can be addressed within one year and with a total budget of $10,000 or less. In most cases PD projects will require a 50 non-federal match. The MASGC will strengthen and nurture a program development system that ensures a fair and objective solicitation and selection process of projects through use of rigorous merit review process and conflict of interest procedures. All program development proposals will be peer reviewed by at least three reviewers with expertise in the area of inquiry. The Research Coordinator will be responsible for monitoring and providing quality controls in the peer review process and maintaining documentation of all selected projects.
Rationale
The MASGC is nationally competitive program of university-based coastal research, education and engagement activities that span a broad spectrum of disciplines and needs. PD awards allow the program to address priorities within the MASGC strategic plan that may not be fully addressed through other MASGC activities and investments.