The system is currently open for off-cycle proposals. The South Coast Research & Extension Center (South Coast REC) is soliciting proposals for new research and extension projects July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. For those interested in conducting research at our Center, check out our new South Coast REC one-pager (PDF, 555.94 KB).
Located on 200 acres in Orange County, South Coast REC research and extension projects and programs focus on a variety of agriculture and natural resource topics including variety development, crop and landscape pest management, irrigation management, plant disease, rootstock development, and alternative weed control methods in managed systems. As reclaimed water is the main irrigation source provided to the Center by the local water district, researchers can assist in the development of reclaimed water management strategies; an increasingly important resource for the long-term sustainability of agriculture and urban environments. The Center also continues to welcome the submission of research and extension projects addressing broader topics, such as the impacts of climate change on urban and agricultural ecosystems.
The Center provides research projects with skilled farming equipment operators, irrigators, some limited indoor research facilities (ex. plant sample processing lab), and technical and management support. Projects led by UC academics receive funding directly from UC ANR and South Coast REC to reduce the actual cost of research and extension at the Center. A discounted rate is also available for new advisors who are starting a project within 5 years of being hired. Proposals from non-UC organizations will be considered if resources (space and labor) are available, but the full cost rate is charged plus the non-university differential (NUD currently is set at 36%).
New Projects
When proposing new projects, please submit your proposal through the 'Submitting a Proposal' page on our website to provide the South Coast REC staff with detailed information about your research goals and needs. There you will find detailed instructions on how to submit your research proposal. Your proposal will be reviewed by our Research Advisory Committee (RAC). The committee is given a two-week period to review the proposal, so please keep this in mind when planning your project timeline.
Once you submit your proposal, you will also be asked to fill out a Land, Labor, and Facilities (LLF) form to provide more detailed information about acreage, greenhouse requirements, labor, and technical assistance needs. Please be as detailed as possible so our team can best understand your research needs.
After the RAC and the South Coast REC team review the proposal and the LLF, we will get back to you with next steps.
Please contact Lindsey Pedroncelli at lrpedroncelli@ucanr.edu with any issues you may encounter.
Continuing and Completed Projects
During the first few months of the year, project PIs will be asked if their project will be continuing in the next fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Projects that are continuing will need to submit a short Annual Report for Continuing REC Project identifying accomplishments in the previous year and any significant changes to the original research proposal. If a project is not continuing, then the project PI will be sent a Completion Report to fill out and return to the Center Director and Superintendent.
New and continuing projects will receive an Acceptance Letter, which details the costs associated with amount of field and/or greenhouse space being used and the estimated number of labor hours for the year. The Project PI must sign the acceptance letter in order to officially start the project and for us to properly charge the project for land, labor, and facilities. If your new project does not need to begin until the new fiscal year, or if your project is continuing from the previous fiscal year, you will not be sent an Acceptance Letter until the new recharge rates are approved and the new fiscal year begins in July.
For questions about research opportunities at South Coast REC or technical difficulties with the proposal process, please reach out to the following:
Lindsey Pedroncelli, Center Director, lrpedroncelli@ucanr.edu
Chris Martinez, Superintendent, cpmartinez@ucanr.edu
Kat Hicklin, Business Officer, khicklin@ucanr.edu