Deadline: 22 April 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking applications for the Special Research Grants Program – Aquaculture Research competitive grants program (henceforth, Aquaculture Research program) for fiscal year FY 2020.
The purpose of the Aquaculture Research program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the United States by generating new, science-based information and technology to address industry constraints. Results of projects supported by this program are intended to help improve the profitability of the United States aquaculture industry, reduce the United States trade deficit, increase domestic food security, expand markets for United States-produced products, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America.
Aquaculture produces more than half of the seafood consumed globally, and this contribution is expected to grow. Although United States aquaculture production has shown growth, the United States has a $13 billion seafood trade deficit and imports more than 90% (by value) of seafood consumed. The factors that limit aquaculture in the United States are complex and multifaceted. Applied research in genetics, disease, production systems, and economics is needed to develop science-based, practical solutions that will facilitate growth of the United States aquaculture industry. This research will help reduce the United States trade deficit in seafood products and enhance the capacity of the U.S aquaculture industry to contribute to domestic and global food security and economic growth.
For the FY 2020 Aquaculture Research program, NIFA is soliciting applied aquaculture research applications. Applications must:
- Directly address major constraints to the United States aquaculture industry.
- Focus on one or more of the following Program Area Priorities:
- Genetics of commercial aquaculture species;
- Critical disease issues impacting commercial aquaculture species;
- Design of environmentally and economically sustainable commercial aquaculture production systems; or
- Economic research for increasing commercial aquaculture profitability.
Priorities defined in this Aquaculture Research Program RFA are aligned with the following 2018-2022 USDA Strategic Goals:
- Strategic Goal 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers to Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World;
- Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development.
Funding Information
- The amounts available for NIFA support of this Aquaculture Research Program in FY 2020 is $1.2 million.
- For FY 2020, this program will accept applications for the following research awards:
- Standard Research Projects – Up to $300,000 (total project, not per year). Project periods for this program are limited to a maximum duration of 2 years;
- The start date of a 2-year project funded with funds appropriated in FY 2020 appropriations, must be before October 1, 2020. (i.e., These projects must be initiated in the federal fiscal year in which the funds were appropriated). Recipients may be eligible for a no-cost extension for a third year, but no carryover or extension is permitted for any project beyond 3 years from the start date (any unexpended funds must be returned to the U.S. Treasury).
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals for the purpose of conducting research, extension, or education activities to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.
- Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.
How to Apply
Only electronic applications may be submitted to NIFA via given website.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=324286