Early Stage Propagation Strategies for Aquaculture Species | NOAA OAR SG 2022 2007054

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR SG 2022 2007054

The Early Stage Propagation Strategies for Aquaculture Species opportunity is a NOAA National Sea Grant College Program funding competition (Department of Commerce) designed to support research and development that improves early life-stage propagation methods for aquaculture species. The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally means funded projects should expect active involvement or coordination with the funding program compared to a standard grant. The opportunity falls under environment, natural resources, and science and technology R and D, and is listed under CFDA 11.417.

Eligibility is centered on the Sea Grant network. Only Sea Grant College Programs, Sea Grant Institutional Programs, and Sea Grant Coherent Area Programs can directly submit applications to this competition. A Sea Grant program is allowed to submit more than one proposal and may also participate in multiple proposals, which opens the door for multi-state or multi-institution collaborations routed through different Sea Grant offices. For universities, companies, non-profits, or other organizations that want to apply but are not themselves a Sea Grant program, the route is to partner with a relevant Sea Grant program and have that Sea Grant program submit the proposal on their behalf. Importantly, the principal investigator and other investigators do not need to be employed by or formally affiliated with Sea Grant; the key requirement is that the submission must be made with and through a Sea Grant program. NOAA provides a directory of Sea Grant programs on the Sea Grant website, and the notice indicates applicants can also seek help identifying the right partner program by contacting Sea Grant Aquaculture Managers referenced in the opportunity materials.

The competition also sets clear boundaries for federal participation. Federal agencies and federal personnel cannot receive federal funding through this award. However, federal scientists and employees may be included as collaborators or even as co-principal investigators as long as they are uncompensated under the award. Federal laboratories and offices may contribute in-kind support such as specialized expertise, facilities, or equipment access, but they cannot be paid from award funds for those contributions, and the value of those federal assets cannot be counted as the required match (if a match is required under the broader program rules).

From a funding perspective, the notice lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and anticipates around 10 awards, indicating a competitive program with the potential for sizable, project-scale investments rather than small seed grants. The opportunity was created on October 4, 2021, and the original closing date was January 27, 2022, which matters for anyone tracking historical solicitations or looking for a likely future re-competition with similar rules.

Finally, the opportunity emphasizes Sea Grant's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sea Grant frames DEI as central to its mission, including building an inclusive workforce and ensuring research, extension, communication, and education efforts serve the full diversity of coastal communities. Applicants are explicitly encouraged from a wide range of backgrounds and identities, reinforcing that proposals and project teams should be attentive to inclusive participation and community engagement where appropriate.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Stage Propagation Strategies for Aquaculture Species" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.417.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 04, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA OAR SG 2022 2007054

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