NOAA/Sea Grant Seeks Projects Focused on Aquaculture Economic and Market Needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Frank Lopez, fmlopez@ncsu.edu, 919-515-3012
Katie Mosher, kmosher@ncsu.edu, 919-515-9069

North Carolina Sea Grant is accepting letters of intent for research projects and programs that will significantly advance the understanding of the economics of U.S. aquaculture businesses and address gaps regarding important market information.

Funded by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and the National Sea Grant College Program, the opportunity, called “Addressing Economic and Market Needs of the U.S. Aquaculture Industry” (NOAA-OAR-SG-2020-2006331), aims to advance business management towards development of a sustainable marine and Great Lakes aquaculture industry in the United States.

Only Sea Grant programs can submit proposals for this funding. Other interested entities must submit proposals in partnership with and through a relevant Sea Grant Program. Letters of intent are due Feb. 26.

“Partners interested in working with North Carolina Sea Grant for this opportunity should reach out as soon as possible,” notes Frank Lopez, North Carolina Sea Grant’s extension director.

The National Sea Grant Office will provide a webinar on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Register and join here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/945479249339022349

Successful proposals will address geographic and/or topical needs and will fully integrate research, extension and education. Proposals that will support broad, nonproprietary research to address critical gaps with respect to aquaculture economics and market needs; make that information available to U.S. aquaculture businesses and management agencies; and build the capacity of Sea Grant and its partners, including Sea Grant aquaculture extension personnel and industry stakeholders, are preferred.

“This is another step in the National Sea Grant focus on aquaculture. We look forward to interest from a mix of North Carolina researchers and partners,” adds Susan White, North Carolina Sea Grant’s executive director.

Projects should plan to start Sept. 1, can run up to three years, and can request up to $250,000 or $1 million, dependent on focus area. Industry stakeholder participation/involvement in projects is strongly encouraged.

For more information, go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=323921.

Schedule

The National Sea Grant Office will provide a webinar on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Register and join here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/945479249339022349

Letters of intent must be sent by email to North Carolina Sea Grant extension director Frank Lopez (fmlopez@ncsu.edu) and the National Sea Grant office (oar.hq.sg.aquaculture@noaa.gov) by 5 p.m. Feb. 26.

Eligible applicants — Sea Grant programs — must submit a full proposal application to Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=323921) by 11:59 p.m. April 22.

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