Deadline: 30-Nov-22
The Lenfest Ocean Program requests you submit the proposals for Managing Protected Areas in a Changing Ocean.
The Lenfest Ocean Program is interested in supporting research projects that fill knowledge gaps and demonstrate how to incorporate a climate lens into protected area management. Changing ocean conditions due to climate variability and change, such as increasing temperature, ocean acidification, and deoxygenation, among others, are already impacting marine ecosystems worldwide. However, there is limited information and guidance about how established marine protected areas (MPAs) should consider the changing climate in their management. To that end, we are requesting proposals for research and planning grants focused on developing and providing usable information about managing protected areas in a changing ocean.
Individuals or groups interested in applying to the request for proposals (RFP) should read the “Managing Protected Areas in a Changing Ocean Request for Proposals” document linked below carefully for information about the competition process and requirements.
Priorities
The LOP is interested in proposals that aim to address or advance work on one or more of the following themes:
- Monitoring ecosystem changes to inform management responses: Research or planning activities in this category could include work to develop scientific capabilities and approaches for detecting early signs of major ecosystem change in MPAs and, importantly, to develop an understanding of how management could respond in those situations. This would advance understanding of how to monitor for climate impacts in MPAs, identifying thresholds based on monitoring findings that would trigger a management response, and developing management options that could be applied in such cases. Activities proposed should go beyond solely including a monitoring component in order to be considered.
- Incorporation of climate change considerations into MPA management: Research or planning activities proposed in this category should work to provide tangible demonstration of how climate impacts can be considered in MPA management. This could include applying existing tools and guidance to incorporate climate change into MPA management, assessing what adaptation actions or management responses are available for a given MPA or network of MPAs, or other related activities.
- Social-ecological impacts of climate change and their intersection with MPA management: Proposed research or planning activities in this theme could look at the intersection of the social-ecological system(s) associated with an MPA or MPA network and the effects of climate change. For instance, climate change impacts on MPAs can have consequences for the communities and people who rely on the MPAs for tourism, fishing, or other livelihoods and food. On the other hand, climate impacts on communities adjacent to or associated with MPAs may have effects on the MPA itself through changes to resource use. We are seeking proposals that advance understanding of these and related research gaps in ways that address needs on the ground and engage the people and communities involved through meaningful collaboration.
- Enabling conditions for MPA governance and adaptation under climate change: Research or planning activities proposed in this area could advance understanding of what key components of MPA governance are important enabling conditions for managing for climate change and how MPA management could be adapted to achieve effective, equitable, climate-informed outcomes.
Funding Information
- The concept paper’s project budget should include project expenses and a descriptive budget narrative. The budget should be itemized for each year in which support is requested.
- For research grants, the Lenfest Ocean Program expects proposals for up to 2 years of work not to exceed $400,000 in total. For planning grants, the Program expects proposals for 1 year of work and a $100,000 total award amount.
Project Types
- The LOP will accept proposals for either of two types of projects, a research grant or a planning grant. Applicants may elect to apply for both types of projects, however the LOP will not award more than one grant to an investigator or investigator team.
- Research grants should be at most 2-year projects that undertake research activities and provide new information useful to MPA management. Research grants should involve active engagement with partners and stakeholders as described elsewhere in the RFP. They are expected to effectively articulate the specific research questions, plans for how research would be conducted, and plans for how engagement will be integrated throughout the process.
- Planning Grants are intended to be 1-year projects that undertake participatory planning activities, relationship building, or stage-setting surrounding a specific topic or question that will advance on the challenge of managing protected areas in a changing ocean. Planning grants are not anticipated to undertake research; however, they do need to have goals and outcomes that relate to understanding and identifying research needs, use of information, and/or knowledge gaps in a specific regional or sectoral context.
Eligibility Criteria
Research and planning grant proposals to this competition are expected to align with the Scope
of Work above. Please review the information below before submitting a proposal.
In order to receive funds, grant host institutions must be in good financial standing and be able
to fulfill the following requirements:
- submit audited financial statements for the last three years;
- have an annual operating budget of at least three times the proposed total grant amount;
- be able to accept and administer the award on behalf of the grantee;
- agree to no greater than 10% indirect rate on salaries and benefits; and
- pass Pew’s financial due diligence review.
- Additionally, the Lenfest Ocean Program cannot support:
- Any efforts at lobbying, advocacy, or related legal analysis
- Institutions from countries without U.S. diplomatic relations or the ability to conduct financial transactions with U.S. institutions
- Individuals with current funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts (as of the start date for this RFP).
For more information, visit https://www.lenfestocean.org/en/research-projects/managing-protected-areas-in-a-changing-ocean