The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
UCSC Contact: Almut Wolf | awolf2@ucsc.edu
Funder: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Program: 2025 Grantmaking Program
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Overview
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District invites organizations to submit pre-proposals for projects that further scientific understanding of our natural world, build capacity in the conservation field, or support nature-focused access, interpretation, and/or education for the public.
Proposals are welcomed in three funding priorities, detailed below.
1. Access, Interpretation, and Education
Programs and projects that facilitate equitable access and broad opportunity for all residents to experience being in nature while fostering an appreciation for open space protection, nature study, and environmental stewardship. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize how the proposed program widens equitable participation. Agriculture-based environmental education projects, such as those that provide hands-on learning about sustainable farming practices, food systems, or the ecological connections between agriculture and natural habitats, are welcomed.
2. Network and Partnership Support
Funding in the Network and Partnership Support priority focuses on opportunities that help cultivate, sustain, or expand established conservation networks and partnerships. Eligible activities may include facilitation or consulting services, staff time dedicated to network participation, outreach efforts, meeting coordination, and related expenses such as supplies or communication materials.
3. Applied Science
Priority Overview: Proposals under the Applied Science Funding Priority focus on academic or practitioner science projects that inform the protection and enhancement of natural resources on Midpen lands. Proposals that address this cycle’s theme, described below, are encouraged.
Project Location: Field-based research must be completed on Midpen lands.
Please see a list of FAQs here.
Please see the complete guidelines here.
Eligibility
- Beneficiaries and/or participants of funded programs or projects must be within Midpen’s jurisdiction.
- Applicants from prior Grantmaking Program grant rounds are eligible to apply.
- UCSC is eligible for Early-stage Initiatives:
Goals: Focusing on early-stage initiatives refers to support for projects and programs launching a new direction or new idea. By helping a grantee develop the capacity and demonstrate results for an early-stage initiative, it is anticipated that the funded project would be more competitive for future, larger funding opportunities.
Projects Eligible: Midpen is interested in receiving proposals for a program or project that aligns with one or more of the following early-stage criteria:
- A new direction for an existing project/program (e.g. piloting a new curriculum; conducting new research based on findings from prior research)
- A new constituency to be served by an existing project or program
- A new location from where to conduct an existing project or program
- A new project or program
Funding
- Projects funded must be complete and expended within two years of the grant agreement execution date
- Up to 10% indirect costs
- Tier 1: Up to $30,000
- Tier 2: From $30,001 to $60,000
Timeline
- October 9, 2025 – Optional Public workshop. Please RSVP here.
- October 31, 2025 – Pre-proposals due
- December 12, 2025 – Invitations to submit full proposals
- January 30, 2026 – Full proposals due
- May 2026 – Award notification
Special Instructions
Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). For Tier 1 pre-proposals, please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines. For support developing your proposal, please contact the Research Development Specialist assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. Within the Division of Social Sciences, please contact Ashlee Tews (ashleeac@ucsc.edu), within the Arts, please contact Hannah Jasper (hannahjasper@ucsc.edu) to initiate notification and proposal support.
Call sent: September 26, 2025
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.