Depending on availability of funds, NOAA Sea Grant expects to have available about $1,600,000 for each of FY 2015 and FY 2016 for a national competition to fund marine aquaculture extension and technology transfer efforts, as part of the overall plan to support the development of environmentally and economically sustainable ocean, coastal and Great Lakes aquaculture. Aquaculture that occurs in the Great Lakes or its coastal zone is considered marine aquaculture for this competition.

This Federal Funding Opportunity includes information on application and criteria for aquaculture extension proposals requesting a maximum of $300,000 in total federal funding for up to a two-year period. Matching funds are required. Proposals are required to include a partnership (e.g., with local community governments, state and Federal agencies, regional management efforts, industry, non-governmental organizations). Awards are anticipated to start no later than September 1, 2015. Additional proposals from this competition may be selected for funding in subsequent fiscal years, subject to the availability of funds.

The Federal Funding Opportunity announcement is available on grants.gov here.  ​​It can also be found by searching ​for Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-OAR-SG-2015-2004399; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support

Applications are due to Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time April 27, 2015. Applications received after the closing dates and times will not be accepted.

Questions about this funding opportunity may be sent to:oar.hq.sg.aquaculture@noaa.gov.