Funded Research
Our Grantmaking History
Assessing Marine Reserves
In 2012, the state of Oregon created five marine reserves and designated nine adjacent marine protected areas. It mandated an independent assessment of the program in 2023. The Trust helped coordinate and solicit $156,000 for the marine reserves assessment. In 2021, funds were awarded to Oregon State University lead researched Dr. Wilson White to complete an independent, peer reviewed assessment of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Reserves Program Synthesis Report, 2009-2021. For more information, click here.
Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia
The Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST), in consultation with the Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH Council), requested proposals for strategic research, monitoring, and communications to address ocean acidification and/or hypoxia. Subsequent to the passage of a funding bill (HB 3114) by the Oregon Legislature, the State of Oregon has provided about $1,000,000 to priority actions from the Oregon Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Action Plan 2019-2025. Strategic investments are necessary to address the risks and vulnerabilities caused by OAH that threaten Oregon’s economy and ecosystems. Through a competitive grant process, the OOST provided seven entities with funding in 2022 to complete these important research projects. For more information, click here.
Nearshore Ocean and Coastal Research
In the Fall of 2022, the Oregon Ocean Science Trust (OOST) requested proposals to conduct science and monitoring on nearshore keystone species, including sea otters, nearshore marine ecosystems, kelp and eelgrass habitat, and sequestration of blue carbon. The grant funding was made available through Section 419 of House Bill 5202 that was passed by the Oregon legislature and signed by the Governor in 2022. To learn more about the six projects funded with legislative support, click here.