Guidance

SSRF Guide for Chesapeake Bay Program Outcome Leads

Each quarter, selected Chesapeake Bay Program outcomes are reviewed through the Strategy Review System (SRS) process and are encouraged to consider science needs through the Strategic Science and Research Framework (SSRF) to advance the CBP’s efforts to achieve each outcome. SSRF identifies and records science needs of the partnership and helps align resources for those science needs. The SSRF process is illustrated in Figure 1.

Strategic Science and Research Framework Process:

**Figure 1.** A flow chart representing the different steps of the Strategic Science and Research Framework where outcomes first meet to identify, present, discuss, and revise, their science needs with STAR and STAC. The following steps are to record and find resources for their science needs in the Science Needs Database.

To assist outcomes in their progression through SSRF, the Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting (STAR) Team has created a template (Science Needs Presentation Template) for each outcome to use for their presentation during the STAR Science Needs Meeting. Outcomes should fill out all fields in the presentation for their current and newly identified science needs to ensure a streamlined and efficient process for updating their science needs in the database. After the STAR Science Needs Meeting, the outcomes in the cohort will have two weeks to review the comments made at the STAR meeting to update their presentation and needs as they see fit and send any post meeting updates to STAR leadership. Once received, STAR will update the science needs database to reflect these changes.

This presentation template can be condensed down into the science needs presentation for Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) by focusing on the key science needs relevant to academia. Such types of needs include synthesis, literature reviews, and novel research.

This Science Needs Presentation Template can be condensed down into the science needs presentation for STAC by focusing on the key science needs relevant to academia. Such types of needs include synthesis, literature reviews, and novel research.

Questions or suggestions on the template should be directed to Alex Gunnerson (agunnerson@chesapeakebay.net) and August Goldfischer (agoldfischer@chesapeakebay.net).

Updating Science Needs Outside of the Strategic Science and Research Framework

Outcomes are welcome to update their science needs at any time, not just at the designated point in the Strategic Science and Research Framework. To do so, navigate to the Data Download page, follow the instructions to download an Excel spreadsheet file of the database, and filter to see your Outcome’s science needs. Use track changes to provide updates, specifically noting the status of any potential or engaged resources and the point of contact for the need. Please send the track changes document to Breck Sullivan (bsullivan@chesapeakebay.net), Alexander Gunnerson (agunnerson@chesapeakebay.net), or August Goldfischer (agoldfischer@chesapeakebay.net).

Guidance for Potential Collaborators with the Chesapeake Bay Program

The Chesapeake Bay Program welcomes and encourages collaboration with external partners to address science needs critical to the restoration and protection of the Bay and its watershed. Potential users of the science needs database outside of the Chesapeake Bay Program, like universities or researchers, can find the science needs and priorities of the partnership on the Science Needs tab of this website. Anyone who wishes to collaborate on these needs with the partnership, whether they are a student, researcher, or other party, should reach out to point of contact listed on the need and Breck Sullivan (bsullivan@chesapeakebay.net), Alexander Gunnerson (agunnerson@chesapeakebay.net), or August Goldfischer (agoldfischer@chesapeakebay.net) for more information.