Request for Proposals: Advancing 30×30 in Coastal Waters – Letter of Intent due by July 18, 2025
In October 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-82-20, advancing environmental conservation as an administration priority and elevating the role of nature in combating climate change. As part of this Executive Order, California committed to the goal of conserving 30% of state lands and coastal waters by 2030 (also known as the “30 by 30” or “30×30” initiative). In April 2022, the California Natural Resources Agency released Pathways to 30×30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature, which defines 30×30 Conservation Areas, highlights the breadth of conservation that is consistent with this definition, and establishes 10 pathways for achieving 30×30 in California.
Five years into the 30×30 initiative, and halfway to the initiative’s target date, OPC has developed a Roadmap to Achieving 30×30 in Coastal Waters. This roadmap builds on Pathways to 30×30 and was developed in close partnership with scientific experts. Informed by extensive tribal consultation and public input, the roadmap sets an ambitious and world-leading standard for marine conservation while promoting ways in which people and nature can thrive together. California currently stands at 21.9% of coastal waters conserved.
Moving forward, OPC and partners will continue the effort to conserve an additional 8.1%, or 275,000 acres, of coastal waters by 2030. OPC is now seeking proposals for projects that will help to support this effort. This solicitation is intended to advance 30×30 in coastal waters by:
- Enhancing coastal and marine biodiversity conservation
- Strengthening biodiversity protections in existing 30×30 Conservation Areas
- Supporting the identification of potential new 30×30 Conservation Areas
- Providing direct benefits to coastal and marine biodiversity via restoration or other on-the-ground environmental stewardship activities
- Supporting stewardship of coastal and marine ecosystems by local communities and California Native American tribes
$10 million is available through this solicitation to fund projects for up to two years. Proposals will be accepted for three separate tracks: action-oriented science (Track 1), accelerating environmental restoration and stewardship (Track 2), and revitalizing tribally-led stewardship (Track 3). More details on each track can be found in the solicitation.
Informational Webinar and Office Hours
OPC will hold an informational webinar on Monday, June 30, 2025 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. The webinar will provide a venue to discuss solicitation priorities, the proposal review process, and any questions prospective applicants may have. If you want to attend, please register for the webinar.
OPC staff will also be available for virtual “office hours” to answer questions and provide technical assistance on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 11:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m. If you want to attend, please register for the office hours.
Submit a Letter of Intent
Applicants must submit a completed Letter of Intent (LOI) in response to this solicitation. The deadline for submission is Friday, July 18, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. The LOI is the first phase of the grant application process describing the project proposal. Following the LOI review phase, OPC anticipates inviting selected applicants to submit full proposals in August.