Depending on appropriations, NOAA Sea Grant expects to have available a total of $10,000,000-$12,000,000 across fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019 for a national initiative to increase aquaculture production in the short-term (2-4 years).

This competition is designed to foster the expansion of

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sustainable U. S. marine, coastal, and Great Lakes aquaculture.

Successful applications must outline integrated projects that clearly address major constraints, barriers, or hurdles limiting United States aquaculture production.

See full FFO for examples.

This Federal Funding Opportunity includes information needed to apply and the criteria for applications requesting between $100,000 and $1,000,000 in total federal funding for a two to three year period.

Non-federal matching funds of at least 50% are required (for example, a project receiving $1,000,000 in federal funding must include at least $500,000 in matching funds, for a total project budget of $1,500,000).

Applications are requested that meet all of the following program objectives:
(1) supports aquaculture of ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes species (including state- and federally-managed species) and related production of such efforts occurring in the coastal zone (as defined by the Coastal Zone Management Act – to include the Great Lakes Region), including state waters and the terrestrial coastal zone, and federal waters; (2) directly addresses major constraints, barriers, or hurdles of domestic aquaculture development that currently limit increased production (this can include research, extension, technology transfer, and/or legal activities to support production, market access, distribution, etc.); (3) utilizes a team approach that fully integrates at least one Sea Grant program, and at least one end-user or public-private partnership in the effort; (4) addresses how project impacts will be applicable to a broader geographic area through regional or topical partnerships; (5) that, upon completion, will have a high likelihood of successful implementation within 2-4 years.

Applications requesting any amount between the minimum and maximum federal request are welcome.

Awards are anticipated to start no later than September 1, 201 7. Additional applications from this competition may be selected for funding in subsequent fiscal years.