About
The Cooperative Research Program is a competitive federal assistance program that funds projects seeking to increase and improve the working relationship between researchers from NOAA Fisheries, state fishery agencies, universities, and fishermen. Congress has initiated the cooperative research funding to assist NOAA Fisheries to improve the confidence that both commercial and recreational fishermen have in the data and analyses performed in support of fisheries management.
The goals of the program are to provide a means of involving commercial and recreational fishermen in the collection of fundamental fisheries information to support the development and evaluation of management and regulatory options.
Cooperative research programs allow scientists and fishermen to bring valuable tools and experience to the objectives of a research project. Scientists realize that fishermen have knowledge, skills, and vessels that would not otherwise be available for research. Fishermen, willing to work with scientists, recognize that the information collected will not be used in management decisions unless it is scientifically credible. The interaction between fishermen and scientists not only improves the design and implementation of research studies but also improves the knowledge and acceptance of scientific results that are produced by such studies. Working together, fishermen and scientists can improve our understanding of the complex interactions between fishery resources and fishing practices.
The intent of the cooperative research program in the Southeast Region is to use the collective experience of fishermen and scientists to produce the best advice to fishery managers based on fishing experience and sound scientific research procedures. The program focuses on critical management needs that have been identified by managers and the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan for Fisheries Research. As with the Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) program, this program is coordinated with other programs to provide regional assessments of fishery resources. The cooperative research program provides the necessary programmatic integration through cooperative planning, the accomplishment of program activities and sharing of results.
Application Process
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the program is to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources. Applicants who are not commercial or recreational fisherman must have commercial or recreational fishermen participating in their project. There must be a written agreement with a fisherman describing the involvement in the project activity and the estimated dollar amount to be provided to that fisherman in compensation for his involvement.
How to Apply
The standard application package is available at http://www.grants.gov. If you do not have internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, contact Dax Ruiz, Federal Grants Program Manager, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 824-5324, e-mail: Dax.Ruiz@noaa.gov
When to Apply
Applications must be received by www.grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on September 25, 2020. Note: It may take www.grants.gov up to two (2) business days to validate or reject an application. Please keep this in mind when developing your submission timeline. Use of U.S. mail or another delivery service must be documented with a receipt. Applications received later than 5 calendar days following the closing date will not be accepted. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.
Need Help?
Demetrio (Dax) Ruiz
Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on 06/25/2020