The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a $600,000 funding opportunity for members of the public to conduct science that helps fisheries and fishing communities prepare for climate change. As the lead for this project, NOAA Fisheries will accept proposals for citizen science projects that help improve stock assessments or contribute to our understanding of how our fisheries and fishing communities may be impacted by changing environmental conditions.
NOAA seeks to strengthen its ability to provide science-based management and conservation of our nation’s living marine resources under a changing climate, including investing in innovative data collection approaches like citizen science. Citizen science typically involves members of the general public participating in the scientific process alongside researchers to answer real-world questions.
The citizen science project proposals should address the following priorities:
· Support and improve federal fishery stock assessments using innovative approaches that address data gaps related to catch, size or age, composition, life history, or stock identification and definition.
· Work to better understand how fish species may be impacted by changing environmental conditions.
· Understand how fishing communities, whose livelihoods and lifestyles often rely on sustainably managed marine resources, will be impacted by climate change.
This funding will support three to eight different projects at approximately $75,000 to $200,000 per project from fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Proposals are required and are due by November 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are also asked to submit an optional Letter of Intent by September 5, 2024 to aid in planning the review panels.
Please visit NOAA Fisheries Open Funding Opportunities for details on how to apply or see the full funding announcement on grants.gov. We will hold a webinar on Tuesday, August 13 from 3–4 p.m. Eastern Time for potential applicants to learn about the funding opportunity and ask questions.
