The NOAA Sea Grant FY2025 Aquaculture Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Grants program supports research aimed at improving U.S. aquaculture's legal, regulatory, and policy landscape. With funding of up to $500,000 for FY2025, individual projects can request between $100,000 and $250,000 in federal funds and must include at least a 50% non-federal match. The projects are to address critical issues affecting coastal, marine, and Great Lakes aquaculture communities and must align with priorities such as regulatory modernization, comparative state policy studies, and disaster resilience efforts.

The primary purpose of the program is to enhance U.S. aquaculture's understanding and management within a regulatory context, promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development. Projects should include collaboration with Sea Grant extension personnel, state regulators, and other stakeholders and are encouraged to engage underserved and underrepresented communities. Participants will also be required to share their findings at a National Sea Grant Aquaculture Symposium.

Eligibility is limited to Sea Grant College Programs, Institutional Programs, and Coherent Area Programs, which may partner with various stakeholders, including minority-serving institutions, non-governmental organizations, and aquaculture industry members. Federal agencies cannot receive funding but can participate as non-compensated collaborators. All projects must occur within the U.S. or its territories, and applicants must register with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons prior to applying.

The application process requires a detailed project narrative, a budget justification, and compliance with NOAA’s environmental and data-sharing policies. The narrative must include project objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, and an outreach plan. Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov and accepted by eRA Commons no later than February 26, 2025. Key forms such as the SF-424 R&R and NEPA Questionnaire must also be completed.

Submissions will be evaluated based on relevance to program goals, technical merit, anticipated outcomes, and outreach efforts, with additional points for inclusivity and stakeholder collaboration. Successful applicants will be notified by March 2025, with project periods starting on September 1, 2025, and ending no later than August 31, 2028. Performance reports will be required semi-annually.

Applicants must adhere to federal policies regarding indirect costs, scientific integrity, and harassment prevention. NOAA strongly encourages proposals that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion and anticipates funding projects that demonstrate a clear impact on the aquaculture community's ability to navigate regulatory and policy challenges effectively.