Funding Overview
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) collaboratively manages various funding sources to advance strategic investments in scientific research and monitoring, collaborative policy development, restoration, and other projects that will improve conditions for ocean and coastal ecosystems and California communities. Funding sources include bond funds, General Fund monies, and special funds.
OPC encourages diverse applicants to apply and collaborate on initiatives that advance sustainable and equitable coast and ocean stewardship.
Open Solicitations
Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program
OPC’s Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program (SB 1 Grant Program) is open to proposals from local, regional, and tribal governments. The overall goal of the SB 1 Grant Program is to provide funding to develop sea level rise adaptation plans and projects to build resilience to sea level rise along the entire coast of California and San Francisco Bay.
Track 1 proposals are accepted on a rolling, quarterly, non-competitive basis.
Check the SB 1 Funding webpage for dates, application and solicitation materials, and resources.
The SB 1 Grant Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Advancing 30×30 in Coastal Waters
OPC is now seeking proposals for projects that will help California achieve its goal to conserve 30% of coastal waters by 2030. 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.
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.
Grant Programs and Funding Sources
OPC offers funding for ocean and coastal projects through competitive grant solicitations and discretionary grants to advance critical information needs and policy priorities statewide. OPC does not accept unsolicited proposals for discretionary funds or outside of open solicitation periods for competitive grants.
For more information about our grant programs and funding sources, visit the following webpages:
Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) Grant Program
The SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program provides funding to develop sea level rise adaptation plans and projects to build resilience to sea level rise along the entire coast of California and San Francisco Bay.
Proposition 68 Grant Program
Prop 68 funding supports priorities across OPC’s program areas, projects that conserve, protect, and restore marine wildlife and healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems, or assist communities in adapting to climate change.
California State General Fund
OPC receives funding through the State’s General Fund, which is allocated to support specific legislated or discretionary initiatives related to ocean and coastal protection. such as marine protected area monitoring, whale and sea turtle entanglement, and offshore wind.
Leading the way in strategic coast and ocean investments for the future of California’s ecosystems and communities.
Related Grant Program Updates
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Contact
General Inquiries
copcpublic@resources.ca.gov