The National Sea Grant College Program, part of NOAA, is offering a competitive funding opportunity titled “FY2025 National Aquaculture Initiative: Strengthening U.S. Coastal, Marine, and Great Lakes Aquaculture Through Business Support.” This program will support initiatives aimed at enhancing aquaculture businesses within the U.S., focusing on improving business output, efficiency, and profitability while fostering new business development in coastal, marine, and Great Lakes regions. Up to $5 million in federal funds is available for this opportunity, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. The application period spans from a Letter of Intent due on December 4, 2024, to a final proposal deadline on February 12, 2025. Selected projects must start by September 1, 2025, and conclude no later than August 31, 2028.

This initiative seeks to address several priority areas to support aquaculture business development and success. Key areas include new business planning, economic and risk management analyses, regulatory assistance, workforce development, and market research. Projects may also target consumer education, social license considerations, post-production improvements, and value-added product development. The funded projects are expected to benefit the broader U.S. aquaculture industry through non-proprietary research outcomes and knowledge-sharing facilitated by Sea Grant extension personnel, along with potential contributions from industry stakeholders. Collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions and engagement with underserved communities is encouraged.

Eligible applicants include individuals, organizations, and entities from the public and private sectors, such as Sea Grant Colleges, state and local governments, Tribal entities, and educational institutions. Federal agencies cannot receive funds directly but may participate as partners without compensation. To apply, applicants must be registered with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, with these registrations completed prior to submission. Additionally, a 50% non-federal matching fund requirement applies to all awards unless a statutory waiver is granted.

The application process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI) emailed to NOAA by December 4, 2024. LOIs should outline the project title, lead entity, partners, objectives, and estimated federal funding request by year. A full proposal, following NOAA’s Research & Related (R&R) Forms Package, is due by February 12, 2025. Full proposals must include details such as the Project Narrative, Project Abstract, a Budget Justification, and a Data Management Plan. NOAA encourages applicants to check for detailed guidance on submission requirements, especially regarding document formatting and eRA-specific requirements.

Applications will be evaluated on several criteria: relevance to NOAA's aquaculture goals, technical merit, clarity of outcomes and deliverables, and effective outreach and education plans. Strong proposals will detail how project results will be shared with industry stakeholders, including underserved communities. Proposals are also evaluated on the qualifications of applicants, cost realism, and inclusion of Sea Grant extension personnel in outreach efforts. Successful applicants will be expected to present their findings at a National Sea Grant Aquaculture Symposium and comply with NOAA’s reporting and data-sharing policies.

The anticipated award notification will be announced subject to fund availability. Recipients will adhere to the Department of Commerce’s terms and NOAA’s administrative standards, including semi-annual reporting requirements. Further information on proposal submission, registration, and a potential informational webinar can be found on Sea Grant’s website.