NOAA Sea Grant Marine, Coastal and Great Lakes National Aquaculture Initiative

NOAA provides funding to Sea Grant institutions to increase the understanding, assessment, development, management, utilization, and conservation of the Nation’s ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources by providing assistance to promote a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches to environmental problems, in accordance with 33 USC 1121(b).

Since 1966, Sea Grant has invested in the development of sustainable marine and Great Lakes aquaculture to help coastal communities maintain a safe and sustainable local seafood supply. Sea Grant’s investment in aquaculture focuses on research and technology transfer, often through one-on-one interactions with extension agents, to support and expand the U.S.’s aquaculture industry.

2024 Aquaculture Funding Opportunities:

FY2024 National Aquaculture Initiative: Enhancing Production of Coastal, Marine, and great Lakes Aquaculture Species

This competition is closed.

Subject to the availability of funding, Sea Grant anticipates $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 will be available for research projects and programs that will develop and refine methods, protocols, techniques, and/or strategies to enhance the production of one or more life stages of aquaculture species (described below) with the overall goal of improving the efficiency, output, and profitability of commercial coastal, marine, or Great Lakes region aquaculture businesses.

Projects that focus on the following aquaculture categories and organisms in both marine and freshwater are eligible for this competition and include:

Microalgae and macroalgae (seaweed)

Molluscs

Crustaceans

Ornamentals

Baitfish

Finfish species for food production

Misc. invertebrates

Proposals are sought that will support broad, non-proprietary research to address issues and/or barriers to aquaculture production; make that information available to aquaculture businesses; and preferably include participation and involvement of Sea Grant extension personnel and industry stakeholders. This opportunity is open to any individual; any public or private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity (including any Sea Grant College, Sea Grant Institute or other institution); or any State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government or agency or officer thereof. Applications require the standard 50% non-federal match for Sea Grant projects. Pay attention to the requirements of the level of minimum 50% match per year.

Read the full NOAA-OAR-SG-2024-24677 funding opportunity

Informational webinar: To access the recorded webinar and the presentation PDF copy, visit https://seagrant.noaa.gov/funding/ and, under current opportunities, click on the enhancing production opportunity.

Notices of Intent to Submit:

Due January 17, 2024 to the National Sea Grant Office at oar.hq.sg.aquaculture@noaa.gov by 5:00 PM CST.

Full Proposals: Due April 3, 2024, 11:59 PM EST by your institution via Grants.gov.

NEPA Requirement

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a United States environmental law that established a national policy promoting the enhancement of the environment. All NOAA-funded research projects must comply with NEPA.

Proposals are required to include a completed Abbreviated Environmental Compliance Questionnaire. The answers provided in the questionnaire must follow the step-by-step instructions/guidance linked below. The questionnaire must include the relevant, proper permit information and permit copies or, status of permits if pending, and include IACUC or IRB information to comply with the Institutional requirements. This includes complete information for any co-PIs, or collaborators at any partner institution as a sub-recipient. The responsibility for acquiring permits and compliance approvals lie with the funded Lead PI. Failure to secure permits, compliance review approvals, or provide the status of such in the questionnaire, may result in delayed receipt of funds with a special award condition placed on the pending award which requires satisfying, prior to the start of the project or that part of the scope of work.

NSGO Abbreviated Environmental Compliance Questionnaire (Word Doc)

NEPA Questionnaire – Guidance (pdf)

Review the Step-by-Step Guide and complete the Abbreviated Environmental Questionnaire with completeness, including permits and status/dates on pending permits; otherwise, a Special Award Condition (SAC) may be placed on a pending award.

NEPA Questionnaire – Fieldwork Example (pdf)

NEPA Questionnaire – Labwork Example (pdf)