Sea Grant Announces 2017 National Aquaculture Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Katie Mosher, 919-515-9069

The National Sea Grant Program has announced the 2017 National Aquaculture Initiative — two competitive funding opportunities to advance aquaculture research, address barriers to aquaculture, and expand aquaculture production. Up to $15 million is expected to be available over several years. Interested parties are required to partner with a Sea Grant program to apply.

This competition is designed to foster the expansion of sustainable U.S. marine, coastal, and Great Lakes aquaculture. Successful applications must outline integrated projects that clearly address major constraints, barriers, or hurdles limiting U.S. aquaculture production.

Letters of intent, as outlined in the official request for proposals, are due March 28, 2017. Note that these letters MUST be developed in collaboration with a Sea Grant director.

Addressing Impediments to Aquaculture Opportunities (NOAA-OAR-SG-2017–2005177)

This competition is focused on answering key questions regarding impediments to the development and expansion of sustainable U.S. marine, coastal, and Great Lakes aquaculture. Successful applications must outline small-scale projects, business plans, workshops, etc., to address key questions, barriers, or hurdles.

Proposals for this competition are due April 18, 2017. Eligibility is limited to Sea Grant programs across the country. However North Carolina Sea Grant and other programs are interested in collaborating with interested parties to develop potential project proposals.

Both competitions encourage a team approach — from a state, regional or topic-based perspective – to generate proposals that fully integrate at least one Sea Grant program and one partner.

The national Sea Grant network works to advance aquaculture by:

• Funding targeted research and development for issues that challenge sustainable aquaculture.
• Offering training and technical assistance to improve business profits and production efficiency.
• Educating consumers about safe, sustainable seafood choices.

For more details, see the NOAA announcement.

For questions regarding North Carolina Sea Grant proposal submissions ahead of the deadlines, please contact:

John Fear, 919-515-9104, jmfear@ncsu.edu

Chuck Weirich, 252-222-6314, chuck_weirich@ncsu.edu

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North Carolina Sea Grant: Your link to research and resources for a healthier coast