Grant Announcement Massachusetts Large Whale and Sea Turtle Conservation Program

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries is soliciting proposals for the Large Whale and Sea Turtle Conservation Program for the 2026-2027 period. This grant opportunity, with a total available funding pool of up to 1,300,000 dollars, seeks to support the monitoring, documentation, protection, and recovery of large whale and turtle species in state waters and adjacent areas from New Hampshire to Rhode Island. The scope of work is divided into three primary areas: large whale and sea turtle entanglement response, large whale-only entanglement response, and North Atlantic right whale aerial surveillance and habitat monitoring. All performance activities must be completed by September 30, 2027. Eligible applicants must be legally recognized entities, excluding federal agencies, and must be registered in sam.gov. Proposals will be evaluated based on a trade-off process focusing on scientific merit and feasibility (50 percent), team qualifications and expertise (30 percent), and price reasonableness (20 percent). Submissions are due by July 20, 2026, and must be sent via email. Required documentation includes a detailed proposal not exceeding 18 pages, a budget, and several mandatory Commonwealth forms, including a W-9, EFT authorization, and a subrecipient risk assessment. The Commonwealth retains full ownership of all deliverables, and contractors must adhere to strict state and federal regulations, including data security standards and marine species permitting.