Funding Wizard

In Maine, where approximately eighty-percent of the commercially harvested lobster are landed, the value of the 2021 harvest set a record but there is cause for concern. While the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2020 stock assessment indicated record high stock abundance in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, analyses of landing data from the state of Maine show a downward trend from a high in 2016 of 132 million pounds to an average annual 102 million pounds from 2019 to 2021. As ecosystem changes persist, the Gulf of Maine warms at a rapid rate, and southern New England continues to experience low abundance and recruitment failure, it is imperative that research, data, observations, and application are needed to understand and inform the current state and also prepare for the future state of the American Lobster fishery. The American Lobster fishery’s sustainability relies not only on the ecological understanding of the species but also the economic resiliency of the industry. Expanding uses of the marine environment such as offshore wind energy development and regulatory uncertainties related to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (FR–210827–0171) have introduced the potential for significant socio-economic impacts to the lobster industry. These changes affect how and where the lobster industry operates, placing additional pressures on fishing communities and a continued need to understand the biological and human dimensions of this significant fishery. Research approaches that examine the social, behavioral, and economic implications of and adaptations to ecosystem and/or regulatory changes are important to enhance community resiliency and fill a knowledge gap for resource managers in need of research and data to inform integrated approaches to complex marine issues. In FY23, consistent with its mission to enhance practical use and conservation in order to create a sustainable economy and environment, Sea Grant’s American Lobster Research Program will fund projects that address priority research needs to enhance our understanding of and address impacts to this significant, complex and dynamic fishery. Projects that involve partnerships among industry, State agencies, and/or academia, including but not limited to co-production and cooperative research, are strongly encouraged.

The objective of this program by the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) is to advance the scientific foundation for the conservation of cetaceans in the Pacific Islands Region. Research supported through this program will contribute to the assessment of whale and dolphin populations in the central and western Pacific Ocean, which requires an understanding of distribution, stock structure, habitat use, and natural and anthropogenic threats, along with estimates of abundance, demography, and mortality. For FY2023, program priorities include 1) Research to inform mitigation measures to reduce interactions between hook-and-line fisheries and false killer whales in the central and western Pacific; 2) Research on the demographics, abundance, and/or movement patterns of Main Hawaiian Islands insular and Hawaii pelagic false killer whale populations; 3) Research on abundance, distribution, and/or human disturbance of spinner dolphins in the main Hawaiian Islands, with special emphasis on spinner dolphins in the Maui Nui region; and 4) Research to inform cetacean stock assessment in the Pacific Islands Region.

NMFS, in coordination with the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils), is soliciting proposals under the Monkfish Research Set Aside (RSA) Program. Projects funded under the Monkfish RSA Program must enhance the knowledge of the monkfish fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which monkfish management decisions are made. Priority will be given to proposals that investigate research priorities developed by the Council, which are detailed under the Program Priorities section of this announcement.Successful applicants will be awarded monkfish RSA days-at-sea (DAS). No federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, proceeds generated from the sale of RSA DAS will be used to fund approved activities.New Program Requirements and Updates:Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety: Fieldwork activities may require additional safety inspections and permitting per US Coast Guard safety requirements. Documentation must be filed with NOAA and approved prior to initiating on-water activities. Complete information concerning this requirement is provided under section IV.B of this announcement.Recipients will be required to submit receipts, or other proof of purchase for any equipment or supplies costing $5,000 or more. The receipts should be included on the next scheduled progress report after the purchase has been made.Section IV – The following parts within this section have been updated: Content and Form of Application; Format; Proposal Content Requirements and Guidelines; and Project Costs and Budget Narrative. Questions on the new requirements should be directed to the Program Officer.Section VI.C – Reporting. Final reports must meet Section 508 Standards. These standardsensure equitable access to final reports. Questions on this requirement should be directed to theProgram Officer.Section V.A.3 The technical score for overall application qualifications has been increased from 10 to 20 points, and now includes consideration of the applicant's knowledge and experience with how funds are derived under an RSA award, and the concept of RSA compensation fishing.

MBDA seeks to make lasting changes for America’s entrepreneurs through this MBDA Capital Readiness Program (hereinafter referred to as this “Program”) by seeking applicants who will help close the gaps in entrepreneurial opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged individual (SEDI) entrepreneurs and help unleash a new era of business growth, hiring, and wealth.The spirit of entrepreneurship, where every individual with the desire and drive to build a business could have the opportunity to do so, is an important American value. Unfortunately, historic, and systemic barriers continue to make success more difficult to reach for SEDI entrepreneurs. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted SEDI entrepreneurs and their businesses.The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 re-authorized the Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program to help revive entrepreneurship in America after the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. SSBCI provides a combined $10 billion to empower small businesses to access capital. SSBCI provides jurisdictions (states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments) funding for: (1) credit and investment programs for existing small businesses and start-ups and (2) technical assistance to small businesses applying for SSBCI funding and other government small business programs. This $93.5 million Program funded by MBDA aims to fund applicants who provide SEDI entrepreneurs with the resources and technical assistance necessary to launch and scale investable businesses that may successfully access capital through SSBCI, other government programs, or other sources of capital. MBDA expects participants in technical assistance funded by this Program to be SEDI-owned businesses2 that are applying, have previously applied, or plan to apply to an SSBCI capital program or other government program that supports small businesses.For this Program, “Capital” is defined as equity investments, debt, or grants.For this Program, a SEDI-owned firm is:a) a business that is owned and controlled by individuals or whose current majority founders are individuals who have had their access to credit on reasonable terms diminished compared to others in comparable economic circumstances, due to their:(1) membership in a group that has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society;(2) gender;(3) veteran status;(4) limited English proficiency;(5) disability;(6) long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society;(7) membership in a federally or state-recognized Indian Tribe;(8) long-term residence in a rural community;(9) residence in a U.S. territory;(10) residence in a community undergoing economic transitions (including communities impacted by the shift towards a net-zero economy or deindustrialization); or(11) membership in an underserved community.3b) a business enterprise that certifies that it is owned and controlled by individuals whose residences are in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas, as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 1805.201(b)(3)(ii);c) a business enterprise that certifies that it will build, open, or operate a location in a CDFI Investment Area, as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 1805.201(b)(3)(ii); ord) a business enterprise that certifies that it is located in a CDFI Investment Area, as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 1805.201(b)(3)(ii).Applicants may target their proposal to the needs of one or more specific groups within the SEDI definition (hereinafter referred to as “SEDI groups”).The Program will fund and build a geographically dispersed network of MBDA Capital Readiness technical assistance providers that help SEDI entrepreneurs launch or scale existing businesses and to access SSBCI Capital, participate in other governmental programs that support small businesses, and secure other forms of Capitital.

The purpose of this notice is for the National Geodetic Survey to solicit grant proposals from eligible organizations to implement activities that modernize and improve the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) and advance the science of geodesy in the United States. NOAA encourages proposals submitted in response to this announcement to include student collaboration and education. The program priorities under this grant program include; 1) Research and develop new methodologies for defining and applications for working with the NSRS; 2) develop and evaluate tools, models, and guidelines to access, analyze, and manipulate geodetic data; 3) enhance infrastructure of geodetic control, coastal remote sensing data, survey measurements, and other physical datasets that comprise the NSRS; 4) support education, capacity building, and technology transfer for the future of geodesy; 5) coordinate through partnerships with local, state, and regional users (e.g. state and local governments, universities, and/or the public sector). NOAA encourages applicants and awardees to support the principles of diversity and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work. Diversity is defined as a collection of individual attributes that together help organizations achieve objectives. Inclusion is defined as a culture that connects each employee to the organization. Promoting diversity and inclusion inspires creativity, productivity, and vitality in the geospatial community. This competition is open to all States and Territories within the United States. Eligible funding applicants for this competition are institutions of higher education, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies are not eligible to apply for funding under this notice. All awards are subject to the availability of funds.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting competitive applications for the fiscal year 2023 Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program. Projects are being solicited to improve education and training on marine resource issues throughout the region and increase scientific education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents.

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to build capacity for environmental literacy in support of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mission goals through a cooperative agreement with a non-profit organization. In order to further the efforts of the external community that supports NOAA’s environmental literacy-related priorities, NOAA is seeking a partnership with a nonprofit organization with a mission of environmental education and/or conservation to work with NOAA to implement formal and informal education efforts, outreach, and professional development in support of environmental literacy and STEM education aligned with NOAA’s mission. The successful applicant will be supported through a 5-year cooperative agreement with NOAA and should have significant experience supporting environmental literacy, as well as capacity to convene meetings and workshops, manage small scale grants, and support program evaluation. Experience facilitating partnerships, developing education and outreach materials, and implementing educator professional development is also preferred. Specific activities will be determined collaboratively with NOAA and will further the efforts of the external community to build environmental literacy through informal and formal education. The funded award will support NOAA's mission in the areas of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences and stewardship as defined by the goals of the NOAA Education Strategic Plan 2021-2040 (https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/noaa-education-council/strategic-…). NOAA's education website (http://www.noaa.gov/education) provides more information about NOAA education activities and existing partnerships. Activities must be implemented within the United States and its territories. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations. For-profit organizations, individuals, state, local and Indian tribal governments in the United States, foreign institutions, foreign organizations and foreign government agencies, and institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply, but may be partners. Federal agencies are not eligible to receive federal assistance under this announcement, but may be non-funded partners. All projects must be 5 years in duration and the total federal amount requested from NOAA must be no less than $4,000,000 and no more than $7,000,000 for all years of the project, including direct and indirect costs. NOAA anticipates making one award in the form of a multi-year cooperative agreement in this fiscal year (FY) by September 30, 2023 with a start date no earlier than October 1, 2023. Note: Links to helpful information for applying to this opportunity are available at www.noaa.gov/office-education/2023-coop.

The U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program awards early-stage funding to U.S. small businesses to catalyze technological innovation. NOAA’s SBIR Program specifically aims to invest in high-impact emerging technology areas and support the research and development of commercializable technologies that solve problems related to climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. The NOAA SBIR Program runs an annual grant competition and provides education and other support to entrepreneurs throughout the process of researching, developing, and commercializing products or services.

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) is directed by law to provide technical assistance in: (1) identifying science-based management options for restoration and protection of living resources and their habitats; (2) monitoring and assessing the status of living resources and their habitats; and, (3) evaluating the effectiveness of management plan implementation. This Fiscal Year 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity is seeking projects with clear near term management application and projects that either 1) investigate the impacts of climate change, habitat quality, and/or changing environmental variables on fish and shellfish resources to inform sustainable and ecosystem based fisheries management or 2) use innovative methods to assess the effectiveness of nearshore habitat restoration in enhancing fish communities and ecosystem resilience in response to climate change. Projects should seek to employ and educate undergraduate or graduate students from groups underrepresented in marine science careers, including minorities, NCBO also encourages projects from principal investigators that have not been funded through the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Research Program before. For FY 2023, it is anticipated that up to approximately $1,500,000 could be made available for projects that address funding priorities and the special interest area identified in the Program Priorities Section (I.B.1 - I.B.2).

NOAA announces the availability of Federal funding, authorized pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. 117-58 (November 15, 2021) (hereinafter, the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill” or “BIL”), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Pub. L. 117-103 (March 15, 2022); and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, (December 29, 2022), for necessary expenses associated with the restoration of Pacific salmon populations. The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) program makes such funding available to the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska, and federally recognized Tribes of the Columbia River and Pacific Coast (including Alaska) for projects necessary for the conservation of salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened or endangered, or identified by a State as at-risk to be so-listed; for maintaining populations necessary for exercise of tribal treaty fishing rights or native subsistence fishing; or for the conservation of Pacific coastal salmon and steelhead habitat. This announcement outlines the priorities and guidelines that will be used to award funding to eligible entities.