NC WRRI, Sea Grant Accepting Proposals for 2027 Community Collaboration Research Grants

August 26, 2026 cclower 2-min. read

Students help Jerry Miller pick up trash from a creek as part of the CCRG project. — Students help Jerry Miller pick up trash from a creek as part of a previous CCRG project. Photo credit: Western Carolina University.

North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), North Carolina Sea Grant, and the William R. Kenan, Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science (KIETS) are accepting proposals for the Community Collaborative Research Grant (CCRG) program for projects to start in May 2027. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on October 26, 2026.

While scientific experts are knowledgeable about research methods and potential solutions, community members often possess the social and historical perspective that will aid in crafting solutions to meet local needs. CCRG projects combine scientific and local expertise in order to draw from the strengths of both.

“By pairing scientific researchers directly with local experts, the CCRG program ensures we are co-creating practical, community-informed solutions that deliver real-world impact across North Carolina,” says Kaitlin Tucker, NC WRRI and Sea Grant’s coordinator for research and engagement.

Projects can address a range of water resource and coastal challenges, but are encouraged to address at least one of the following areas:

Risk communication around natural hazards
Natural and nature-based solutions to stormwater, stream erosion, flooding, and storm impacts
STEM education and pedagogical processes
Regulated and unregulated contaminants
Water quality of surface and groundwater
Economic evaluation of ecosystem services
Fisheries and aquaculture

New grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 for one-year projects. Successful CCRG projects will justify how the proposed work will be relevant to the missions and interests of NC WRRI, NC Sea Grant, and/or KIETS. Previously-funded CCRG projects have supported disaster preparedness education, community science, coastal resilience initiatives, tribal knowledge, air and water quality, human health, and more.

“The use of local knowledge as part of CCRG projects provides an unparalleled success rate in terms of lasting solutions,” says John Fear, deputy director of NC WRRI and Sea Grant.

Interested applicants can contact Kaitlin Tucker at [email protected] or John Fear [email protected] with questions or to help identify potential research partners with relevant technical or local knowledge. All proposals must be submitted via the eSeaGrant online proposal management portal, no later than 5 PM local time on October 26, 2026.