The Alaska Native Organization Comanagement Grant Program, administered by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within the Fisheries Alaska Region Program Office, aims to support the conservation and co-management of marine mammals utilized for subsistence purposes by Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs). This funding opportunity acknowledges the significant role marine mammals play in Alaska Native communities and is structured to provide financial and technical assistance to facilitate research, conservation, and co-management initiatives. The funding is authorized under 16 U.S.C. §1388 and focuses on activities that align with the Endangered Species Act Recovery Plan or Marine Mammal Protection Act Conservation Plan.

This competitive grant program supports projects that enhance marine mammal conservation, encourage local participation in marine science and management, and promote sustainable subsistence use. Priority areas for funding include harvest monitoring, Indigenous knowledge integration, research projects, food security, subsistence use management, education and outreach, international collaborations related to subsistence harvest quotas, and cooperative management projects that strengthen partnerships between NMFS and Alaska Native subsistence users.

The total anticipated funding for this program is approximately $1,500,000 per year, subject to federal appropriations. Awards will be granted through cooperative agreements, and project periods may range from 12 months to three years. NMFS reserves the right to partially fund proposals if necessary, ensuring that funded portions remain independently viable. The funding cycle does not guarantee renewal, and continued funding beyond the initial award period depends on federal appropriations and project performance.

Eligible applicants include ANOs that have established marine mammal co-management agreements with NMFS. If an ANO designates a fiduciary agent, documentation must be provided to clarify roles and responsibilities. Entities without an existing co-management agreement may participate as sub-recipients under an eligible applicant. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this grant.

Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 7:59 PM Alaska Standard Time on March 25, 2025. Required components include a standard federal grant application package, a project abstract, a detailed narrative, a budget justification, and proof of eligibility documents such as a signed co-management agreement. The review process involves an initial administrative screening, a panel evaluation based on predefined scoring criteria, and final selection by NMFS officials. Key evaluation criteria include the relevance of proposed activities to program goals, technical merit, project management capacity, and cost-effectiveness.

For further information, applicants can contact Kristin Cieciel at the NOAA NMFS Alaska Regional Office via email at Kristin.Cieciel@noaa.gov or phone at (907) 957-2594. The anticipated award announcement is expected by June 2025, with project start dates no earlier than September 1, 2025.