Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic | NOAA NMFS SE 2024 2008104

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS SE 2024 2008104

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), within the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity focused on the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. The program is titled "Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic" (Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA NMFS SE 2024 2008104) and is intended to support applied research and related work that improves understanding of why red snapper are being discarded and what can realistically be done to reduce those discards. The central goal is to generate information that can be used to shape management strategies that lower the share of red snapper that are thrown back relative to the amount that is ultimately landed, meaning the work should be practical and decision-relevant rather than purely academic.

The opportunity sits in the broad funding activity areas of environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development, and it is listed under CFDA 11.454. NMFS is looking for projects that directly inform management, which typically means studies that can translate into changes in fishing practices, gear, catch-handling procedures, monitoring approaches, spatial or temporal management, or other strategies that can be implemented by fishery managers and participants. While the notice emphasizes discard reduction overall, it also makes clear that proposals aligned with the specific research priorities described in the announcement's Funding Priorities section will receive preference, so applicants are expected to closely track those priorities when designing objectives, methods, and deliverables.

Funding is provided through a grant mechanism, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per project. NMFS anticipates making about five awards under this competition, which suggests a relatively competitive selection process and a need for applicants to clearly justify impact, feasibility, and how the results will be used. The original posting date for the opportunity was September 7, 2023, with an original application deadline of November 6, 2023, which is important for anyone reviewing the opportunity for planning, compliance, or replication purposes, even if the competition window has already passed.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common research and public-interest entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and municipal governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private colleges and universities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, which are already covered separately); and individuals. The listing also includes an "Others" category that refers applicants to the announcement text for details, which typically covers special cases such as partnerships, for-profit participation under certain conditions, or additional documentation requirements. In practical terms, this means the program is open to a mix of academic researchers, government agencies, community or conservation nonprofits, and potentially fishery participants working with research partners, as long as the proposed work fits NMFS expectations and meets any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at producing actionable solutions for a persistent management problem: red snapper are encountered in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, and a substantial portion may be discarded for regulatory, operational, or biological reasons. NMFS is seeking projects that can diagnose the drivers behind discards and test or evaluate strategies that reduce them, ultimately supporting better outcomes for the fishery and the resource while providing managers with defensible evidence for policy or regulatory decisions.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.454.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 07, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 06, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA NMFS SE 2024 2008104

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