A heavily laden branch of ginko fruit nested in vibrant spring green leaves

Call for Proposals

SHRE Call for Proposals

The goal of the Saratoga Horticultural Research Endowment is to support research, education, and outreach that fosters the introduction of new and improved plants for California gardens and ornamental landscapes.   

FUNDING IN THIS CYCLE (2024-2025) WILL FOCUS ON RESEARCH PROPOSALS ONLY.  NO EDUCATION OR OUTREACH PROPOSALS WILL BE CONSIDERED. 

Research proposals for the 2024-2025 funding cycle should specifically address one or more research priorities on landscaping plant TOLERANCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE and/or ABILITY TO WITHSTAND WEAR, and related to SHRE’s core focus on drought- and heat-tolerant plants suitable for landscape use in California as detailed below. 

Current Research Priorities

  1. Test plant tolerance to heat and drought of selected local native species vs non-local native species and/or native hybrids (e.g., Pacific Coast Hybrid Irises and Monkey Flowers).
  2. Measure wear tolerance (e.g., from foot traffic) of alternatives to lawns, particularly in relation to reduced watering and maintenance regimes. Alternatives can be species and cultivars introduced or native to California (e.g., Bouteloua gracilis, Agrostis pallens, Carex pansa, Carex graegracilis).
  3. Test new ideas and innovative cultivation and/or management practices related to plant tolerance to climate change and/or their ability to withstanding trampling and human use, that might complement the priorities listed above. 

All proposals must be sent to ehfinch@ucdavis.edu and aossola@ucdavis.edu.

Detailed information on proposal guidelines and submission requirements is provided in the following attachments.

SHRE Proposal Guidelines 2024-2025

Proposal Submission Requirements 2024-2025