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This list of potential funding sources and research partners
was generated at a workshop in early 2006. Keep in mind that the amount of
available funds and the priorities for research within a program may change
from year to year. Applicants for cooperative research funding would be well
advised to contact program managers and to learn all the program details before
preparing and submitting an application. Applicants should ensure that their
interests, skills, and availability and their vessels’ characteristics and
capacity are consistent with the needs of the sponsoring program.
Applicants should also take special note of each program’s
application and procedural details, as well as all deadlines. Program
application processes and needs will vary; one application package may not
satisfy all funding programs. To ensure that your application is considered, make
sure you provide all the requested information in the format specified by program.
If you’re not sure about such details, contact the program managers and ask.
Under most of the funding programs, applicants are competing
for limited funds and opportunities, and program managers may have little to go
on except for what’s in the application. Make sure your application materials are
complete, neat, and correct. Don’t let the paperwork hurt your chances of
getting selected to participate in a cooperative research project.
Some cooperative research funding sources may provide funds
for 100% of a project’s costs. Others may require applicants to provide a
proportional match – in dollars or as in-kind services -- from another source.
For example, a funding program may provide 75% of the amount needed for a
project and require that the applicant provide a 25% match. The applicant may
provide the match in dollars from another source or in services equating to the
same dollar value. In-kind services such as use and operation of a fishing
vessel for a specified period may qualify as the required match. Be sure you
know and address the funding details of a program before you submit an
application for cooperative research funds.
NOAA Fisheries Service
and Partner Funding Sources
- CRPP:
NOAA Fisheries Service Northeast Cooperative Research Partners Program
The Cooperative Research Partners Program (CRPP), formerly
known as the Cooperative Research Partners Initiative, is charged with formalizing
and expanding collaborative research among New England's commercial fishing
industry, marine science and fishery management communities. The goal of this
program is to enhance the data upon which fishery management decisions are
made as well as to facilitate communication and collaboration among New England
commercial fishermen, scientists, and fishery managers. Some additional CRPP
information can be found at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s webpage.
- Fishery Management Council Research Set-Aside (RSA) Programs
The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils
each have programs where in some portion of a fish stock’s total allowable
landings (TAL) is not allocated for harvest, but is set aside each year to
support research initiatives. Research priorities are established by the
Councils and grants of RSA quota are administered through NOAA Fisheries and
the NOAA Grants Office.
- MAFMC
RSA: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Research Set-Aside Program
Each year, the MAFMC and NOAA Fisheries Service
solicit proposals for research activities concerning the summer flounder, scup,
black sea bass, Loligo and Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish,
bluefish, and tilefish fisheries. The RSA for each stock is set annually and may
range from 0 - 3 percent of each species’ TAL. Projects funded under an RSA
allocation (or award) must enhance understanding of the fishery resource or
contribute to the body of information on which management decisions are made. These
programs do not provide funds, but provide participants the opportunity to
harvest additional fish under the research quota and to sell the catch,
offsetting the costs of vessel’s involvement in the research.
- NEFMC RSA: New England Fishery
Management Council Research Set-Aside (scallop, monkfish, and Atlantic herring), click on
the “What’s new” button to see press releases with details on research
sea-asides.
The monkfish RSA awards
additional fishing days-at-sea as an incentive for permit holders to
collaborate with researchers on projects that aim to enhance our understanding
of the monkfish resource and fishery. Landings from research trips may be sold
to offset costs incurred during research activities. Program details are
announced well in advance of the start of the monkfish fishing year (May 1st).
As with the other RSAs, the additional fishing opportunity is awarded through a
competitive grants process.
The scallop RSA awards
additional quota (through increased trip limits and expanded fishing
opportunity) to encourage qualifying scallop permit holders to participate in
research projects. Research priorities are updated each year, but usually
include subjects such as bycatch reduction, resource assessment, and habitat
characterization.
- NEC: Northeast
Consortium
The Northeast Consortium facilitates and provides funds for
“partnerships among commercial fishermen, scientists, and other stakeholders to
engage in cooperative research and monitoring projects in the Gulf of Maine and
Georges Bank.” The Consortium comprises University of New Hampshire, University
of Maine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution. The webpage includes a list of links to several organizations’
on-line research
needs and priorities.
- NSG: NOAA
Sea Grant Program Follow links to region and state-specific programs.
The NOAA Sea Grant Program works through colleges in each of
the coastal states to address “topics vital to human and environmental
health—topics such as water quality coastal hazards and biotechnology.” Sea
Grant Programs coordinate and sponsor a variety of research partnerships.
- S-K: NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy
Grants Program
Subject to the availability of funding from Congress, the S-K Program is a competitive program that provides financial assistance (grants or cooperative agreements) for research and development projects to benefit the U.S. fishing industry.
Other Fisheries &
Ocean-Science Oriented Sources
- CESU: Cooperative
Ecosystem Studies Units
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network
promotes and helps to fund collaborations between researchers, industry, and
federal agencies in support of projects that improve understanding and
management of natural and cultural resources on federal lands and waters.
- NMSF: National Marine
Sanctuary Foundation
According to the website, “The Foundation builds
partnerships to promote conservation and develop an ocean literate public who
is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its
resources.” Funding opportunities may be available at times for research on
Sanctuary resources.
- NURP: NOAA’s Undersea
Research Program
In addition to providing specialized technical support to NOAA
research programs, NURP also provides extramural grants to both the federal and
non-federal research community through its six regional centers and the
National Institute of Undersea Science and Technology to help address a variety
of NOAA's priority goals.
- SMAST:
School of Marine Science and Technology – MFI
The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth School of
Marine Science and Technology’s Marine Fisheries Institute supports cod, yellowtail
flounder, and sea scallop tagging programs. The MFI occasionally announces
research funding and partnership opportunities on its website.
- WWF: SMARTGear Competition
The World Wildlife Fund’s SMARTGear Competition rewards innovations
that prevent the bycatch of non-target species, especially marine mammals, sea
turtles, sea birds, and sharks.
Broader Based Sources
These more broadly-based programs and organizations,
while not entirely focused on fisheries and ocean science, may fund
fisheries-related projects.
- Packard:
David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The Packard Foundation funds a wide variety of research
initiatives. Fisheries priorities are currently (2006) focused on
marketing/promoting consumption from well-managed, sustainable fish stocks.
- SBIR: Small
Business Innovation Research Program
Each year the Small Business Administration coordinates the awarding of grants for technological innovation research. The program is administered through each Department. The link above is to the US Department of Commerce component of the program. Applicants may find opportunities with other Departments SBIR Programs, as well.
More Sources for
Research Projects Ideas
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