SECOORA 2021 Education and Outreach Request for Proposals - $8,500 Opportunity

SECOORA is soliciting proposals to develop online or online accessible K-12 marine science curricula and/or activities that can be implemented by parents, teachers, and other educators. Proposals must demonstrate how they will increase participation of underrepresented communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educational activities.

Click here for PDF of Request for Proposals. Due May 21, 2021.

Overview

The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) is the coastal and ocean observing system for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Our mission is to observe, understand, and increase awareness of our coastal ocean; promoting knowledge, economic, public, and environmental health through strong regional partnerships.

SECOORA is soliciting proposals to develop online or online accessible K-12 marine science curricula and/or activities that can be implemented by parents, teachers, and other educators. The goal is to develop and implement innovative approaches that engage students in using coastal and marine information to improve understanding of our coastal environment. All materials developed through this request for proposals will be made available on SECOORA’s classroom activities webpage.

This award value is $8,500. Proposals are due 5:00 PM ET on May 21, 2021.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

SECOORA is strongly committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication, and education programs that serve people with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives, and ways of thinking.

This specific opportunity seeks proposals that will increase participation of underrepresented communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educational activities. The proposed project must identify how the project will engage participation of underrepresented communities (such as Title 1 schools and organizations that work in underserved communities) in the final deliverables.

Request for Proposals

Proposals must follow the required proposal format. Proposals that do not follow the required format will not be evaluated. All funds must be used within six months of the project’s start date. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2021.

Maximum length is four (4) pages (not including budget or appendices). Text should be 12-point font, all margins 1-inch, and must include the following components:

• Title Page (1 page)
  • Proposal title
  • Principal Investigator’s name, affiliation, and complete contact information
  • List of Co -Principal Investigators’ names and affiliations
  • Proposal summary (1 paragraph)
• Description of Project (3 pages)
  • Include a Statement of Need, Goal, and Objectives sections. The statement of need should outline gaps in resources and provide a foundation for the proposed curriculum, including identification of the intended audience (i.e. targeted age/grade level).  The goal defines what you intend to accomplish. The objectives should be well defined and should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART) (more info).
  • Identify the grade-appropriate state science standards and/or Ocean Literacy Essential Principles that the proposed online education materials will address. Projects that can be replicated in other states are requested.
  • Identify the SECOORA Focus Area addressed by the proposed effort.
  • Outline how the proposed project will incorporate data and/or relevant information from within the SECOORA geographic footprint.  Below are examples of relevant data resources:

• Identify specific deliverables and a timeline for accomplishing this project.  Draft educational materials must be presented to the SECOORA Communications Director by October 29, 2021 to inform placement on the SECOORA website. Final education materials are due January 15, 2022 and should allow for unrestricted distribution or access on the SECOORA website.
  • The SECOORA Education and Outreach Committee recognizes that some proposals may build on existing curricula or on-line products. Proposals that plan to use existing resources must demonstrate the incorporation of new data and enhancements to the existing products in order to be funded.

The following proposal appendices are required but do NOT count towards the four-page proposal limit:

• A Budget and Budget Justification. Funds may be used for any purpose related to the project. Indirect Costs and/or overhead charges are not permitted. SECOORA does not require matching funds or in-kind support, but please list existing resources available to the project.
• A listing of references and literature cited.
• A one-page CV or resume for the project team lead or co-leads. Collaboration is encouraged.
• A signed letter of support from a targeted end-user of the online materials.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include individuals from K-12 schools, public or private universities, institutions, non-governmental organizations, companies, or government agencies, located in the SECOORA region (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida). Co-PIs and/or collaborators can be outside of the SECOORA region.  Informal and formal educators are encouraged to apply.

Submission

Please submit the entire application package electronically in PDF format through egrants.secoora.org. The submission deadline is 5:00 PM ET on May 21, 2021.

You must complete the registration process in order to upload a proposal to egrants.secoora.org. This is a two-part verification system (phone and email confirmations are required). Once you have registered, please select the Request for Proposals to which you are applying, complete the required fields, and upload your proposal as a single PDF.

Proposal Review Process

Anonymous reviews will be conducted for all applications. All proposals will be reviewed based on the adherence to the instructions provided in this request for proposals and outlined in detail in the Request for Applications/Proposal section.

1. SECOORA will convene a review panel of 3-5 participants.  The panel may include SECOORA staff, SECOORA Education and Outreach Committee members, and other subject matter experts.
2. The review panel will review the submitted proposals and recommend recipient(s) and funding amount(s).
3. Funding will be allocated to awardees via contracts between SECOORA and the awardee.

The successful applicant will be notified no later than June 2021. This is an open and competitive process. SECOORA reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received as a result of this process. SECOORA reserves the right to request that respondents make modifications to their proposal at any time before a contract is awarded.

Questions Regarding Application Solicitation

For any questions related to this Request for Proposals, please contact Abbey Wakely at abbey@secooraorgpact.wpengine.com.