Requests for Proposals
Funding Opportunity for 2024-2026 | FAQs | Research Needs
Frequently Asked Questions:
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- Is there a limit to the number of Co-Investigators (Co-Is) that can be included on a single proposal?
- Why is a match required?
- How do institutions normally meet the non-federal match requirement?
- Why do funded projects start on February 1st?
- Why do you measure and value expected benefits as part of projects?
- Why does LSU charge indirect on subawards?
- Why are aquaculture projects encouraged?
- Do you recommend that I request an appointment to discuss a possible project idea or should I submit the Letter of Interest (LoI) and hold any such discussions until after the LoI review?
- How does Louisiana Sea Grant define the word “end-user”?
- How can I strengthen my Diversity Statement?
- Will there be informational webinars where investigators can learn more about the proposal process?
1. Is there a limit to the number of Co-Investigators (Co-Is) that can be included on a single proposal?
No limit, but each needs to demonstrate a clear role. Qualifications and applicability of all listed investigators are evaluated.
2. Why is a match required?
According to the NOAA Sea Grant Omnibus Application Requirements, non-federal matching funds equal to at least 50% of the federal funding request must be provided.
3. How do institutions normally meet the non-federal match requirement?
PIs, if paid from a non-federal account, often meet the non-federal match requirement through in-kind contributions of their time as tenure track or tenured faculty (i.e., salary). PIs are allowed to use in-kind match towards their non-federal match requirement. The in-kind match must be documented and there must be FTE allocation available. Check with your institution’s Office of Research for more information (i.e., LSU’s Office of Research has information available specific to its institutional protocol at the following link: https://lsu.edu/osp/faqs.php#costshare).
Match may be in the form of in-cash (such as applicant’s personnel salary and the associated fringe benefits and indirect costs) and in-kind (such as unrecovered indirect, if allowed by your institution).
LSU budgets: Unrecovered indirect cannot be used as match. If the project is justified as off-campus, then the off-campus rate should be used for total project costs (requested & match) and there would not be any unrecovered F&A.
4. Why do funded projects start on February 1st?
Project start dates are based on our fiscal cycle with Omnibus that Louisiana Sea Grant is funded by through the National Sea Grant Program.
5. Why do you measure and value expected benefits as part of projects?
These benefits are how LSG and the National Sea Grant College Program are evaluated and help justify our federal funding. We report these benefits to Congress.
6. Why does LSU charge indirect on subawards?
According to the RFP, non-LSU A&M led projects will be funded via subaward agreements. In accordance with 2CFR200 and LSU’s federally approved rate agreement, LSU is entitled to recover indirect costs on the first $25,000 of each subaward.
7. Do you recommend that I request an appointment to discuss a possible project idea or should I submit the Letter of Interest (LoI) and hold any such discussions until after the LoI review?
We are happy to discuss possible project ideas and ask that PIs be in touch with us early in the process if they require additional discussion. Please reach out to Matt Bethel at [email protected]if you would like to discuss project ideas related to this opportunity.
8. Can I request funds to support a postdoctoral researcher?
Yes, proposers may request funds under the “other personnel” section as a technician wherein fringe and overhead (IDC) will be paid.
9. How does Louisiana Sea Grant define the word “end-user”?
An end-user is an individual outside of the research team who can apply the research results towards new decisions and activities to address marine and coastal issues of public concern.
Examples of end-users in Louisiana Sea Grant funded research include resource management agencies (e.g., Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries), non-profit groups (e.g., The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana), community-based partners (e.g., fishers), and industry partners (e.g., companies who grow aquaculture products).
Strong proposals will communicate how the proposed project addresses end-user need(s)—implicit and/or explicit—and how the project findings will benefit and be delivered to the relevant end-users.
10. How can I strengthen my Diversity Statement?
The Diversity Statement specifically addresses how the PI(s) will inclusively carry out the project. This entails well-described narrative of how the proposed activity serves and/or broadens the participation of underrepresented groups and how they benefit from its outcomes.
“Underrepresented groups” includes a diversity of people. Here, diversity is defined not only in terms of race, ethnicity, or gender identity; “diversity” also includes but is not limited to socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, disability, geography, tribal, first-generation college student, and those with diverse ways of knowing outside of formal education.
Examples of project elements that detail these principles in action may include:
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- A student researcher from a majority race/ethnicity carrying out a project on an issue that directly or indirectly impacts a tribal or minority ethnicity community.
- Recruitment of student researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Co-production of knowledge with an underrepresented community.
- Addressing an environmental issue that directly or indirectly benefits a rural or socioeconomically depressed geographic location.
- Leadership by or partnering with personnel from HBCUs or community colleges.
11. Will there be informational webinars where investigators can learn more about the proposal process?
Yes, we plan to hold a Zoom-based webinar about this opportunity at 11am on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 to share information and answer questions (see Zoom call-in info below). The webinar will be recorded and the link to access the recording will be posted on Louisiana Sea Grant’s website for those who can not participate in real time.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://lsu.zoom.us/j/4512145511
Meeting ID: 451 214 5511