Closed
California state funding opportunity
2022 Cannabis Academic Research Grant
Department of Cannabis Control
- Portal ID24932
- Grant IDDepartment of Cannabis Control
- StatusClosed
Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.
Program summary
Synopsis
The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is soliciting proposals from public universities in California for research projects that study the implementation and effects of cannabis legalization. Through the Request for Proposal (RFP), DCC seeks to expand academic knowledge of cannabis; gain insight into how government policy decisions impact individuals, communities and equity; and support government officials in fact-based policymaking.
California was the first state in the nation to allow medical cannabis use, and the fifth to allow adult (recreational) use of cannabis. As of July 2022, 37 states allow medical-use, and 19 states allow adult-use of cannabis. Despite these changes in state policy, cannabis remains classified federally as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance, limiting research opportunities and our collective understanding of cannabis and its effects. Proposition 64, the ballot initiative passed in 2016, legalized cannabis for adults ages 21 and older, decriminalized personal possession of cannabis, and began redressing the harms of cannabis prohibition on individuals and communities, including through expungements of certain cannabis-related convictions. Proposition 64 also established cannabis-specific taxes and allocated a portion of these revenues to public health, environmental, criminal justice and research initiatives. $10 million is designated annually for California public universities to research and evaluate impacts of cannabis In this round of grant funding, DCC is prioritizing the funding of certain research topics that advance California’s understanding of cannabis, address research gaps and inform policymakers. The prioritized topics are listed in the RFP. These topics would examine the health of the cannabis industry, California’s legacy genetics, cannabinoids and potency, monopolies and unfair competition, and medicinal use of cannabis. These topics support areas of key importance for ensuring a balanced and successful implementation of cannabis legalization – from economic vitality to public health to preservation of the state’s cannabis heritage. These priority research topics were developed in consultation with other state agencies and were selected to support and advance the understanding of the implementation of Proposition 64 (as required by Revenue and Taxation Code), impacts of subsequent policy changes, and identified emerging policy deficits. While research project proposals that address all or a portion of a priority research topic will be prioritized for funding, DCC will also consider research proposals that address other topics that further public understanding of the effects of cannabis legalization. It is the Department’s hope that the research resulting from these grants will advance the body of scientific knowledge about cannabis and prove beneficial not only to California policymakers, but also to those across the nation and world.
Timeline
Key dates
-
November 1, 2022
Opportunity posted to California Grants Portal -
December 22, 2022
Applications close -
April 2023
Expected award date
Who may apply
Eligibility
Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:
- Public Agency
- Additional info on eligibility
- Grant funds are available to public universities in California. The department will consider only one proposal per applicant for a given research project. Applicants may submit more than one proposal if the proposals are for separate and distinct research projects or activities.
- Geography
- State of California. Projects may occur on state or federal lands.
Awarding agency
Additional information
- Agency name
- Department of Cannabis Control
- Full announcement
- View the full announcement ↗
- Grantor contact
-
1-844-612-2322
Grants@Cannabis.ca.gov
Funding
Funding source
- Source
- State
- Funding method
- Advance(s)
- Notes
- California Revenue and Taxation Code section 34019.
Government Grants Consulting
Federal, state, and local grant funding is highly competitive, and the gap between a complete application and a winning one usually comes down to strategy, compliance, and execution. GTC 360° Advisors supports organizations across the entire grant lifecycle — from identifying the right opportunities to managing the award long after it is won. The questions below cover how our grant consulting practice works and the organizations we serve.
What is government grant consulting, and how does GTC 360° Advisors help?
Government grant consulting means guiding an organization through the full grant lifecycle — research, eligibility review, strategy, writing, submission, and post-award compliance. GTC 360° Advisors manages this end to end, pairing grant writers, project managers, financial analysts, and compliance analysts to maximize the odds of an award and keep it in good standing afterward.What types of organizations can GTC 360° Advisors help win grants?
GTC 360° Advisors supports municipalities, state agencies, nonprofits, school districts, tribal governments, higher education institutions, and private companies pursuing grant funding. Clients have included the City of Los Angeles, Texas A&M University, the Montana State University System, Virginia Commonwealth University, and nonprofit partners such as the Walton Family Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners.What federal agencies has GTC 360° Advisors secured funding from?
GTC 360° Advisors has secured funding from agencies including the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Commerce (EDA and NIST), Education, and State, as well as FEMA, EPA, NSF, NIH, HRSA, SAMHSA, and the CDC. The firm has won over $860 million and counting in federal and state contracts and grants for its clients.Does GTC 360° Advisors handle state and local grants, or only federal?
GTC 360° Advisors pursues grant funding at the local, state, federal, and international levels. The firm’s advisor network is positioned in every state to help clients identify and compete for regional and state-level funding in addition to federal opportunities.What is GrantSignal AI, and how does it help find grant opportunities?
GrantSignal AI is GTC 360° Advisors’ AI-powered funding intelligence platform. It aggregates federal, foundation, and other public funding sources into a single dashboard, then uses AI to match opportunities to an organization’s mission, eligibility, and capacity — rather than relying on simple keyword search — and sends alerts as new, winnable opportunities appear.Does GTC 360° Advisors provide grant compliance and post-award management?
Yes. GTC 360° Advisors manages grants through close-out, including compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), Davis-Bacon labor standards, Section 3, environmental review requirements, and funder reporting obligations. The firm builds compliance systems and reporting frameworks so clients stay in good standing with federal and state grantors.What is GTC 360° Advisors’ track record on grant applications?
GTC 360° Advisors has historically maintained an 88%-plus win rate on the grant applications it has submitted, including a 100% win rate in 2024 across several highly competitive programs. Recent wins include $180 million in EDA Tech Hubs funding for three consortia and $20 million in EDA Recompete funding for the City of Birmingham, Alabama.Can nonprofits and higher education institutions work with GTC 360° Advisors on grants?
Yes. GTC 360° Advisors regularly supports nonprofits and universities with grant strategy, writing, and administration, including current work with the Walton Family Foundation, Blue Meridian Partners, Texas A&M University, the Montana State University System, and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Working With GTC 360° Advisors
Every engagement is scoped around the organization in front of us — its goals, its deadline, and the internal capacity it already has. Pricing, team assignments, and project milestones are agreed before any work begins, so there are no surprises mid-project. Below are the questions prospective clients and partners ask us most often.
How much does it cost to work with GTC 360° Advisors?
Pricing is customized to the scope, timeline, and budget of each engagement, with both hourly and fixed-fee options available depending on the deliverable. GTC 360° Advisors prices transparently, with no hidden fees for administrative or incidental work, and structures fees so clients gain a full team of senior professionals for less than the cost of a single in-house hire.What is the process for getting started with GTC 360° Advisors?
Engagements typically start with a conversation about your organization’s goals, funding needs, or growth targets, followed by a scoped proposal outlining services, team, and pricing. From there, GTC 360° Advisors assigns team members matched to the work and begins with research, strategy, or capture planning, depending on the engagement.How long does it take to see results from a grant or contract engagement?
Timelines vary by opportunity: some grant or contract cycles run a few months from research to submission, while others (large infrastructure or multi-year programs) take longer and continue through post-award management. GTC 360° Advisors sets clear project timelines and milestones at the start of every engagement so clients know what to expect.Does GTC 360° Advisors work with organizations outside the United States?
GTC 360° Advisors primarily supports U.S.-based government contracts, grants, and business development, but its public affairs and business development services extend internationally through its global partner network for clients running cross-border campaigns.Can I join the GTC 360° Advisors Network as a consultant or subject matter expert?
Yes. GTC 360° Advisors welcomes applications from experienced firms and freelancers who align with its mission and values to join the GTC 360° Advisors Network, giving members access to mutual marketing, referrals, and new client opportunities.How do I contact GTC 360° Advisors to discuss a project?
You can reach GTC 360° Advisors at info@gtc360.com or through the contact form at gtc360.com/join-our-network. The firm typically responds to discuss goals, funding needs, or growth targets and outline next steps for an engagement.
Planning for the next cycle?
Tell us the opportunity and we will come back with an honest read on fit, the partners you would need, and what a compliant submission takes.