Citizen Science for Improved Stock Assessments and Climate-Ready Fisheries Management

The deadline for proposals is November 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Optional Letters of Intent (LOIs) must be received by the Program Manager via email (Laura.Oremland@noaa.gov) by September 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

What Is the Project Award Period?

Funds will be available from Fiscal Year 2025 to FY 2026. Applicants should propose a 1-year (12-month) or 2-year (24-month) period of performance. Projects can be up to 2 years (24 months) in duration.

The requested start date must begin on the first day of the month and the end date must be the last day of a month.

Projects should not be expected to begin before April 1, 2025. 

Who is Eligible for This Funding Opportunity?

Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies and their personnel are not permitted to receive funding under this competition; however, federal scientists can serve as uncompensated partners on proposals. 

Projects are encouraged—but not required—to have at least one partner from NOAA Fisheries, who could be a staff member from a headquarters office or program, regional office, or science centers.

What Types of Projects Will Be Prioritized for This Funding Opportunity?

NOAA Fisheries seeks to fund projects in three high-priority areas:

1. Improve federal fishery stock assessments
2. Increase understanding of current and future impacts of climate change on fish stocks
3. Increase understanding of current and future impacts of climate change on fishing communities

The priority that your project is designed to meet must be identified in the proposal. Regardless of the priority selected, projects are encouraged—but not required—to do one or more of the following:

• Involve the fishing community (recreational and/or commercial)
• Use a co-created project design
• Address or involve underserved and/or highly vulnerable communities

Projects are also strongly encouraged to partner with fishery management entities such as regional fishery management councils, state agencies, or interstate fisheries commissions.

Projects should employ approaches and partnerships that are appropriate for the communities that will be engaged in the citizen science activities, which ideally includes underserved and/or highly vulnerable communities.

Is There a Cost Share or Matching Requirement?

Applicants may include cost sharing, but it is not required and is not part of the evaluation criteria for this program.

Is a Grants.gov and Sam.gov Registration Required to Apply for This Grant?

Yes. Applicant organizations must complete and maintain three registrations to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. These registrations include SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. The complete registration process for all three systems can take 4 to 6 weeks, so applicants should begin this activity as soon as possible. If an eligible applicant does not have access to the internet, please contact the Agency Contacts listed in Section VII of the Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Federal Register for submission instructions.