SGC Catalyst Model Participatory Research to Policy Model: Prioritize partnerships between community organizations and research institutions

“A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

• Researchers (including qualified scientists, engineers, and educators) affiliated with one of the following institutions:
  • University of California
  • California State University
  • Federally funded national laboratories located in California
  • Private, non-profit colleges and universities located in California, and
  • Private, non-profit research organizations located in California.
• There are no restrictions on who can serve as the Lead Principal Investigator (PI) within these Research Institutions; however, a Lead PI must have a substantial role in designing and conducting the proposed research. Employees can serve as a Lead PI or co-PI on up to two proposals. Additionally, researchers may appear as a contributor on other solicitations (no limit). In the event that an individual exceeds the Lead PI proposal limit, proposals received within the limit will be accepted based on the earliest date and time of proposal submission (i.e., the first two proposals received prior to the deadline will be accepted and the remainder will be returned without review).
• Researchers are required to include contributors and sub-recipients from community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, local or regional governments, tribal governments, and/or other institutions as an integral part of the research and as sub-recipients on research proposals.

SOURCE: Climate Change Research Program Round 3 Solicitation (p. 4)

2. Meaningful Engagement

1. The degree to which the project portfolio will provide direct and indirect benefits to the State’s low-income and disadvantaged communities and/or populations who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
2. The degree to which the submission demonstrates how the proposal incorporates well-established strong and meaningful partnerships, by
   • Engaging with a diverse set of partners that include researchers, community-based organizations, businesses, local or regional government, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and other stakeholders at all stages of the program to ensure the relevance and utility of research process, projects, and results.
   • Addressing a need identified by an audience of focus, such as vulnerable populations, to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
3. The degree to which the submission describes how it will successfully build relationships with new partners that result in opportunities for input and feedback on the project’s design and approach through delivery mechanisms and communication processes used to disseminate research findings, data, and recommendations. And the extent to which the researchers directly involve the community in their research using methods such as Community Based Participatory Research, community-based pilot projects, and community monitoring/data gathering.
4. The degree to which the submission provides assistance and shares resources with others to advance the climate goals of engaged audiences.
5. The degree to which the submission demonstrates an established multi-stakeholder or multi-institutional partnership, organized into a collaborative structure that will advise and oversee the project’s progress, stakeholder rapport, and application of research findings/results.
6. The degree to which the submission demonstrates an engagement plan that is iterative, includes communities or end-users, and includes a tailored outreach and communications strategy included in the proposal.
7. The degree to which users or potential end-users of the research results have been brought into the planning of the activity, will be brought into the execution of the activity and will be kept apprised of progress and results.

SOURCE: Climate Change Research Program Round 3 Solicitation (p. 14)