Funding Opportunities
Key scientific, environmental, and socio-economic questions for marine aquaculture are being answered with the help of the NOAA National Marine Aquaculture Initiative competitive grants program. [credit: NOAA Aquaculture Office]
NOAA and other federal agencies administer a variety of financial assistance programs that support sustainable aquaculture in the United States. Funding may address a variety of issues such as environmental monitoring, recirculating aquaculture systems, shellfish farming, alternative feeds for aquaculture, new species research, and offshore aquaculture. The programs below outline NOAA-managed funding opportunities for aquaculture and funding opportunities available through other agencies or venues.
NOAA Competitive Grants Programs for Aquaculture
- Sea Grant Marine Aquaculture Grant Program - Informally referred to as the "National Marine Aquaculture Initiative (NMAI)," this national competitive grant program encourages demonstration projects and research targeted to the development of sustainable marine aquaculture in the United States. The competition is designed to foster dynamic partnerships that channel resources toward the development of sustainable aquaculture technologies. Projects often involve partnerships among commercial companies, research institutions, universities, state governments, and coastal communities. The competition also supports the work of state Sea Grant extension programs.
- NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Investment in aquaculture research and development is supported by NOAA's SBIR program, which encourages small businesses to leverage federal funds to invest in innovative technologies and next-generation products and processes that may lead to commercialization.
- NOAA FY'12 SBIR solicitation (closed February 1, 2012)
- NOAA FY'12 SBIR solicitation (closed February 1, 2012)
- Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program - The Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program includes aquaculture as a priority to fund projects that encourage the development of environmentally- and economically-sound aquaculture as well as relieve fishing pressure and improve market availability of U.S. seafood products. For detailed information on aquaculture projects supported through the S-K program, see the bibliography of aquaculture projects. Please note that, due to the lack of available funds, NOAA will not be able to conduct a S-K competition for FY2012.
- Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) Program – MARFIN promotes programs that seek to optimize economic and social benefits from marine fishery resources through cooperative efforts that evoke the best research and management talents within NOAA's Southeast Region. The intent is to focus projects funded by MARFIN into cooperative efforts that provide clear answers for fishery needs covered by the NMFS Strategic Plan. Funding priorities for MARFIN are formulated from recommendations received from non-federal scientific and technical experts and from NOAA Fisheries Service research and operations officials.
NOAA Financial Assistance Programs
- NOAA Fisheries Finance Program - The Fisheries Finance Program provides long-term financing (up to 25 years) in the form of direct loans for up to 80 percent of the cost of construction, reconstruction, expansion, and purchase of aquaculture facilities. The program also may refinance existing loans. There are no early repayment penalties and the fees for a new loan are 0.5 percent. The program is authorized under the Merchant Marine Act (46 U.S.C. 53701 et seq), and may lend up to $59 million in 2012. Current regulations for the FFP can be found in the Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 241. Aquaculture is considered a high priority in this program.
Programs Offered Through Other Federal Agencies
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - The SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in research in scientific and engineering areas (including aquaculture) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from commercialization. In addition to NOAA, several federal agencies including USDA-NIFA, NIST, and NSF allocate research and development money to SBIR. Information on currently open solicitations, eligibility, and the application process can be found at the SBIR homepage.
- NIST FY'12 SBIR solicitation (closes March 2, 2012)
- NIST FY'12 SBIR solicitation (closes March 2, 2012)
- USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture - NIFA offers a variety of funding opportunities through competitive grants, cooperative agreement programs, and other funding mechanisms.
For information about all federal funding opportunities
