Monthly Archives: December 2010

West Coast Sea Grant programs seek social science research proposals

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Social scientists interested in ocean and coastal issues are invited to submit proposals to a new Sea Grant call for coordinated, regional  research efforts that bring together researchers up and down the West Coast to address specific social science issues of regional priority.

Subject to available funding, the four West Coast Sea Grant programs – Oregon, Washington, California and the University of Southern California – intend to make a total of $700,000 available collectively at the regional level over two years to fund projects. In addition, the National Sea Grant Office may augment available state program funds. Given these funding limits, the programs anticipate being able to fund between two and four regional projects for the 2012-2014 biennium.

Projects will be selected though an open, competitive peer-review process. Letters of intent are due by Feb. 22, 2011, and full proposals by May 15.

Proposals must be submitted through Washington Sea Grant. Researchers are required to contact their state Sea Grant program directors to discuss ideas and linkages before submitting a letter of intent. Oregon researchers should contact Oregon Sea Grant director Stephen Brandt at stephen.brandt@oregonstate.edu, or 541-737-2714.

Read more and download the full RFP in .pdf format.

HMSC Visitor Center launches Glass Quilt giving campaign

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Glass Quilt tilesNEWPORT – Would you like to help support the future of marine education on the Oregon coast – and help create a beautiful piece of public art?

The Visitor Center at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center announces its 2011–12 Glass Quilt Giving Campaign, an opportunity for donors to contribute to the Center’s marine education programs while building  a beautiful glass quilt, filled with images of Oregon’s marine life and the names of donors, in the center’s lobby.

The quilt is a series of 160 interlocking glass tiles, symbolizing the great web of life we experience in nature—and the web of support the Visitor Center relies on each day. Sponsor your own glass quilt square, imprinted with your name or a tribute to a loved one, for a tax-deductible donation of $250 or more.

All donations will support the Visitor Center’s marine education mission, teaching young and old to understand, appreciate and protect our oceans and coast.

To read more, and to make your tax-deductible donation through the OSU Foundation, visit http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor/glassquilt

The glass quilt, featuring photographic images of  Pacific marine animals fused into colorful glass squares was designed by artist David Adamson, of the 9th Street Gallery in Newport. A 1991 OSU graduate with a degree in biology, Adamson spent 10 years working as an HMSC marine educator, aquarist, field technican and videographer before leaving to work full time as an artist.

Call for preliminary research proposals, 2012-2014

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Oregon Sea Grant invites preliminary proposals for research on important marine and coastal issues from researchers who are affiliated with any institution of higher education. Proposals will be entered into a highly competitive review and selection process. Funding comes from OSG’s $1.8 million NOAA research allocation for 2012-2014.

The deadline for submitting preproposals is Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 before 5 pm. Full proposals are due May 6, and funding decisions will be announced on Sept. 12.

The two primary criteria for evaluating proposals are scientific excellence and societal relevance. An ideal proposal would apply the best sicence and an innovative approach to a well-defined coastal or marine problem that is important to Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and the nation. Successful proposals are also likely to show significant progress within two years, focus on outcomes, clearly show how and two whom the work would make a difference, and have co-funding from interested stakeholders and partners, among other qualities. All proposals are required to include community outreach and engagement components.

For more information, including a timeline and specific guidance for preparing proposals, visit  http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/funding/rfpcall.html. For questions about potential proposal ideas contact Sea Grant Director Stephen Brandt at 541-737-02714 or by email to stephen.brandt@oregonstate.edu

Oregon Sea Grant to lead regional invasive species effort

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Sam Chan at Devil's LakeSam Chan, Oregon Sea Grant Extension’s aquatic invasive species educator,  will lead a two year, $416,000 effort to combat high-priority aquatic invasive species identified by natural resource managers in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Dec. 1.

Chan’s team at Oregon State University will work with Sea Grant programs and others throughout the region to develop a method to better predict the risk of aquatic invasive species and better understand the economic value of early detection and rapid response.

These programs will also develop strategies for managing the risk of non-native mussels invading West Coast waters through long-distance water tunnels and will investigate school classrooms as a potential source of new invasions (via educational aquariums).