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.

2022 Aquaculture Funding Opportunities:

1. Marine Finfish Aquaculture: Juvenile Production Technologies

Subject to the availability of funding, Sea Grant anticipates approximately $5,000,000 will be available for research projects and programs that will significantly advance marine finfish juvenile production technologies for aquaculture. The overall goal is to develop and refine reproduction / broodstock, hatchery, and/or nursery strategies enabling the reliable production of sufficient quantities of juvenile marine finfish to supply on-growing operations. Successful proposals will address topical needs (described below) and integrate research and extension. Proposals are sought that will support broad, non-proprietary research to address critical gaps with respect to marine finfish juvenile production technologies; make that information available to U.S. aquaculture businesses; and include Sea Grant aquaculture extension personnel and preferably industry stakeholders. These investments are consistent with Sea Grant’s focus area of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (SFA) and the Sea Grant Network’s 10-year Aquaculture Vision, both which support NOAA and Department of Commerce aquaculture goals. Proposals must include funding (Federal or match) for Sea Grant extension personnel as collaborators. Industry stakeholder participation / involvement in projects is strongly encouraged.

All proposals to this competition must be submitted by a Sea Grant program. Other interested entities must submit proposals in partnership with and through a relevant Sea Grant Program.

Read the full NOAA-OAR-SG-2022-2007054 funding opportunity

Informational webinar: October 15, 2021 at 1 pm CST

Review the Marine Finfish Aquaculture Juvenile Production Technologies NOFO Webinar PDF

Notices of Intent to Submit:

Due November 9, 2021 to both the Texas Sea Grant Program at mzwolinski@tamu.edu and to the National Sea Grant Office at oar.hq.sg.aquaculture@noaa.gov by 5:00 PM CST. See FFO Guidelines page 9 (link above).

Full Proposals: Required to be submitted by the State Sea Grant Program.

Submit proposal documents in one compiled PDF, to the Texas Sea Grant Program by January 3, 2022, 5:00 PM. This is a firm date. Submit to: mzwolinski@tamu.edu.
Texas A&M Sponsored Research Services will submit the Texas A&M University – Texas Sea Grant application to the sponsor before January 27, 2022.

2. Early Stage Propagation Strategies for Aquaculture Species

Subject to the availability of funding, Sea Grant anticipates approximately $4,000,000 will be available for research projects and programs that will develop and refine early-stage propagation strategies (e.g., reproduction, hatchery, and/or nursery strategies) for aquaculture species (defined below) to supply on-growing operations. Successful proposals will address topical needs (described below) and integrate research and extension. Proposals are sought that will support broad, non-proprietary research to address critical gaps with respect to early-stage propagation strategies for aquaculture species; make that information available to U.S. aquaculture businesses; and include Sea Grant aquaculture extension personnel and preferably industry stakeholders. These investments are consistent with Sea Grant’s focus area of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (SFA) and the Sea Grant Network’s 10-year Aquaculture Vision, both which support NOAA and Department of Commerce aquaculture goals. Proposals must include funding (federal or match) for Sea Grant extension personnel as collaborators. Industry stakeholder participation/involvement in projects is strongly encouraged

All proposals to this competition must be submitted by a Sea Grant program. Other interested entities must submit proposals in partnership with and through a relevant Sea Grant Program.

Read the full NOAA-OAR-SG-2022-2007053 funding opportunity

Informational webinar: October 15, 2021 at 2 pm CST

Review the Early Stage Propagation Strategies for Aquaculture Species NOFO Webinar PDF

Notices of Intent to Submit:

Due November 16, 2021 to both the Texas Sea Grant Program at mzwolinski@tamu.edu and to the National Sea Grant Office at oar.hq.sg.aquaculture@noaa.gov by 5:00 PM CST. See FFO Guidelines page 10 (above).

Full Proposals: Are required to be submitted by the State Sea Grant Program.

Submit proposal documents in one compiled PDF, to the Texas Sea Grant Program by January 10, 2022, 5:00 PM. This is a firm date. Submit to: mzwolinski@tamu.edu.
Texas A&M Sponsored Research Services will submit the Texas A&M University – Texas Sea Grant application to the sponsor before February 3, 2022.

Information for the two above-mentioned 2022 Aquaculture Opportunities are also available at seagrant.noaa.gov/Funding.

Learn more about Sea Grant’s work in aquaculture at seagrant.noaa.gov/Our-Work/Aquaculture.

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, 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 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)

NEPA Questionnaire – Fieldwork Example (pdf)

NEPA Questionnaire – Labwork Example (pdf)

NEPA Questionnaire – Socioeconomics Example (pdf)