The NOAA Sea Grant FY2025 Enhancing Knowledge of Aquaculture Technologies, Practices, and Businesses grant opportunity (NOFO Number: NOAA-OAR-SG-2025-29573) aims to support projects that expand knowledge and expertise in aquaculture among participants such as researchers, extension personnel, and aquaculture community members. The goal of this funding is to promote improvements in aquaculture research, production practices, technologies, and businesses that benefit U.S. coastal, marine, and Great Lakes aquaculture communities. Awards will fund travel to aquaculture sites or facilities, enabling participants to gain first-hand knowledge and experience that can be applied to enhance aquaculture-related activities.

This grant is limited to Sea Grant College Programs, Sea Grant Institutional Programs, and Sea Grant Coherent Area Programs. Eligible programs are encouraged to collaborate with partners such as industry members, state and tribal organizations, educational institutions (including community colleges and HBCUs/MSIs), and NGOs. Federal agencies cannot receive funding but can participate as uncompensated partners. Projects must focus on visiting aquaculture facilities, domestically or internationally, with travel activities aligned with U.S. aquaculture priorities. Activities cannot include research but may cover travel, salary, and outreach costs.

The program anticipates a total funding amount of $500,000, with individual awards capped at $75,000 for one-year projects. A non-federal matching requirement of at least 50% is mandatory. Project periods will begin no earlier than September 1, 2025, and end no later than August 31, 2026. Successful proposals must include a detailed project narrative, timeline, letters of support from travel hosts, and a clear plan to disseminate outcomes to benefit the aquaculture community. Participation in a future National Sea Grant Aquaculture Symposium is also required.

Applications must adhere to NOAA’s electronic submission guidelines, requiring registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. All proposals are due by March 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, and must include required forms such as SF-424 R&R, budget justifications, and a project summary. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as relevance to program goals, clarity of project details, outcomes and outreach plans, and the reasonableness of project costs.

Selected projects will be notified in May 2025, with awards contingent on available funding and NOAA's administrative review process. Reporting requirements include semi-annual performance and financial updates. NOAA emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and dissemination of project outcomes to underserved communities and expects compliance with relevant policies, including Section 508 for accessibility and reporting on executive compensation for subawards exceeding $30,000.