The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Consortium is soliciting project ideas from Consortium researchers that respond to one or more priority tracks related to our mission – to develop and deliver scientific knowledge, synthesis, and tools needed to help fish, wildlife, plants, and ecosystems adapt to a changing climate. Project ideas can include convenings, Working Groups, the production of rapid syntheses, visualizations, tools, or data collection. Below are descriptions of the priorities for proposed projects that can be implemented beginning in August 2024.
1. Species track: Understanding threats of climate change to endangered or novel ecosystems, biodiversity hotspots, or range-restricted endemic species.
2. Data Inequities track: The availability of climate data varies considerably across the SE CASC footprint, especially between the continental U.S. and Caribbean. We are particularly interested in receiving project ideas that (a) synthesize and/or visualize how data scarcity in continental vs. Caribbean regions limit research and management, (b) use decision frameworks to guide climate adaptation in data-poor areas, and/or (c) develop a vision for reasonable monitoring networks in the Caribbean.
3. Climate Justice track: Many populations of the southeastern U.S. are frontline in experiencing exposure to and impacts of changing climate yet lack resources that foster climate resilience and adaptation. Projects should identify regions and populations, either urban or rural, that have been historically underserved and are considered climate-vulnerable. Proposals are welcome that lay the groundwork for developing relevant science, and/or for training, mentoring, and capacity building to promote climate adaptation. Proposers for this track must indicate their already established relationship with the identified vulnerable population(s) (for example, with a letter of support), or they should outline a process for developing the relationship. If they outline a process for relationship building, proposers should indicate how that process will affect the timeline of identified deliverables.
4. Tribal Climate Adaptation track: Project ideas submitted to this track should be important to and identified by a Tribal Nation within the SE CASC footprint and address management of fish, wildlife, ecosystems, or cultural resources under a changing climate. If the proposer is not from a Tribal Nation, they must include a Tribal member as a full investigator on their project. Proposers must also outline their plan to ensure Tribal sovereign management of resources and data and proposed framework of co-production with Tribal membership. Proposers are encouraged to contact the regional Tribal Climate Liaisons for SE CASC, Drs. Casey Thornbrugh and Steph Courtney, as they develop their proposal.
5. Innovation track: Climate adaptation requires looking into the future to make decisions about today. Our priorities are often based on the needs identified by managers today but may miss future issues that have not come down the pipeline just yet. The Innovation track is an opportunity to apply for funding for science development, synthesis, tools, or convenings for ideas that may not yet have come across managers’ radars. It is incumbent upon proposers applying to this track to clearly outline their co-production model.
Projects should be 6 months to 2 years. All projects should clearly outline their co-production process and engagement plan (see Guidelines for Project Ideas submission).
Proposals are limited to researchers at SE CASC Consortium institutions: Auburn University [AU], Duke University [DU], NC State University [NCSU], Savannah State University [SSU], University of Arkansas-Monticello [UAM], University of Florida [UF], University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras [UPR], University of South Carolina [USC], University of Tennessee-Knoxville [UTK], University of the Virgin Islands [UVI], and citizens or representatives of a Tribal Nation affiliated with United South and Eastern Tribes [USET] in the Southeast.
Investigators must be current SE CASC Research Affiliates. Learn more and apply.
Guidelines and file template required for submitting your project ideas can be found here: SECASC Consortium Project Ideas Template 2024.pdf
The deadline for submissions is February 21, 2024. Decisions will be released by April 15, 2024.
This post was originally published in SE CASC.