Research Funding and Fellowships

Investing in research now directly shapes the future of Bay-Delta natural resource management. As part of its mission to provide the best possible scientific information to inform decision-making, the Delta Science Program provides research and fellowship opportunities. To date, the Delta Science Program has supported over 160 research projects that have fundamentally advanced our understanding of the Bay-Delta’s dynamic socio-ecological system and addressed key knowledge gaps identified in the Science Action Agenda.

Key metrics of Delta Science Program Research funding include $50.2 million invested by the Council, 13 competitive research solicitations, 162 research projects funded, and $18.4 million invested by partner agencies.

The Delta Science Program’s approach to science funding is rooted in collaboration and inclusion. By supporting participation from a broad range of disciplines, institutions, and communities, the Delta Science Program ensures that Bay-Delta science reflects the diversity of California and the complexity of its ecosystems.

All projects are vetted through independent peer review processes, which safeguard decisions from potential bias or conflicts of interest. Policies and procedures for research funding, including the Delta Science Program’s Conflict of interest considerations for reviewers, advisors, and applicants [Resource E], available in the 2026 Delta Science Plan.

The cover of the Delta Science Program’s 2026 Research Impact Report.

Introducing the Research Impact Report

The Delta Science Program is proud to share its inaugural Research Impact Report, highlighting the emerging science and management impacts of the 2019 Delta Research Awards and 2020 Delta Science Fellowships.

The new report introduces a framework for tracking research influence over time and shares examples of how funded research is contributing to scientific understanding and informing management in the region.

Subscribe to receive email announcements for future report releases.

Research Awards

The Delta Science Program and its funding partners regularly solicit the scientific community for proposals that address high-priority research topics and management needs identified in the Science Action Agenda.

Visit the Delta Research Awards web page for information about the latest and previous Delta Research Awards.

Delta Science Fellows Program

The Delta Science Program oversees the Delta Science Fellows Program (previously known as the CALFED Science Fellows Program), funded by the Council and administered by California Sea Grant. The Delta Science Fellows Program provides up to two years of support to early-career scientists to pursue biophysical and social science research on key topics related to water management and ecosystem health in the Bay-Delta. Fellows work collaboratively with academic and community mentors to address priority issues identified in the Science Action Agenda.

The 2025 Delta Science Fellowships were awarded to six recipients. Read the information sheet or visit the Fellows’ research pages on the Delta Science Tracker to learn about the fellowship recipients and their research.

Policy Fellows Program

The Delta Science Program hosts policy fellows through the California Sea Grant State Fellows Program. This fellowship provides unique educational opportunities for graduate students interested in aquatic resources and the policy decisions that affect them. The program matches highly motivated and qualified individuals with hosts in municipal, state, and federal agencies in California for a 12-month paid fellowship. More information about the fellowship is available on the California Sea Grant website.

Directed Action Science Investigations

Directed action science investigations are funded when the Delta Science Program determines that scientific research or advice is clearly defined and needed quickly, or if an important opportunity would be lost if the proposal had to go through a lengthy competitive selection process.

Read about the Directed Action Science Investigations in our information sheet.

Learn more

Learn more about the research funded by the Delta Science Program through…

The Delta Science Tracker - An online tool for scientists, decision-makers, and natural resource managers to communicate outcomes from funded projects, foster collaborations, provide transparency, and address management needs.

The Delta Breeze Newsletter - A digital newsletter focusing on science funding published between 2021-2023 by the Delta Science Program. Each Delta Breeze issue features research funded by the Delta Science Program, the people behind the science, and what their findings mean for the Delta.

Weaving the Delta’s Story: Research in Action storymap

An interactive Storymap about “Weaving the Delta’s Story: Research in Action” - Created by 2025 California Sea Grant State Fellow Vivian Sieu, this Storymap takes readers on an immersive virtual tour across the Delta to where 16 research projects provide new insights into how the Delta is changing, how species are responding, and which management actions are most likely to support long-term sustainability.

Closing the Loop on Science Funding storymap

An interactive storymap about “Closing the Loop on Science Funding” - Created by 2022 California Sea Grant State Fellow Tabitha Birdwell, this storymap takes readers on an immersive virtual tour across the Delta to where the 14 research teams focused their efforts with funding from the Delta Science Program’s 2018-2019 research awards. It summarizes each project, including the catalyst behind the research, key research steps, and management implications or public benefits.