The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has extended the deadline for academic researchers to submit cannabis-related grant proposals, with submissions now accepted through 11:59 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025.
The extension gives eligible researchers at California public universities additional time to apply for a share of up to $30 million in grant funding. The DCC is seeking research that will expand academic understanding of cannabis, inform evidence-based policymaking, and examine the broader effects of marijuana legalization.
This grant cycle is part of a long-standing initiative created through Proposition 64, which allocates $10 million annually from cannabis tax revenue to fund research. Previous rounds of funding have supported studies on everything from consumer behavior to environmental impacts.
The Department has clarified that certain exhibits—A3, A4, A7, B2, B3, D, E, F, and G—were mistakenly included in the application package and are not required for a complete submission. Applicants who already downloaded the package do not need to do so again but should refer to the official Request for Proposals (RFP) to confirm all required materials.
Priority will be given to projects that build on existing research and explore areas such as crop yield modeling, consumer responses to health labeling, public safety education, and local regulatory impacts on cannabis access. Additional areas of interest include sustainability, cannabinoid health effects, and comparative enforcement strategies.
Applications must be submitted by email to AcademicResearchGrants@cannabis.ca.gov. Grant award notifications are expected in early November.
