Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research

The Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research, solicited under USDA-NIFA-SRGP-011856, aims to advance the U.S. aquaculture industry through applied scientific research that addresses critical constraints to growth, profitability, and sustainability. Funded under Assistance Listing Number 10.200, this program supports projects designed to reduce the nation’s multi-billion-dollar seafood trade deficit, enhance domestic food security, expand markets for U.S.-produced aquaculture products, and create jobs in rural and coastal communities. Proposals must align with program priorities such as improvements in genetics, disease control, and production efficiency, and must include a clear pathway for technology transfer to industry stakeholders. Projects are expected to deliver measurable outcomes within one to five years and are limited to a maximum award of $300,000 with a performance period of up to three years, including a possible one-time no-cost extension. All applicants must be U.S.-based institutions and must submit a comprehensive application package through Grants.gov, including a 15-page project narrative, a two-page Mentoring Plan if training activities are involved, a two-page Logic Model outlining activities and outcomes, and a detailed Data Management Plan addressing data preservation and sharing. Budgets are capped at a 30% indirect cost rate on total federal funds awarded, and no cost-sharing is required. Subcontracts cannot exceed 50% of the total award without prior approval, and key personnel changes require NIFA authorization. Proposals are evaluated equally on four criteria: relevance and effectiveness, technical/scientific merit, qualifications of the team, and quality of the Data Management Plan, with awards made on a trade-off basis prioritizing overall merit. Electronic submission via Grants.gov is mandatory by June 15, 2026, with all documents in PDF format, and applicants must hold a Unique Entity ID through SAM.gov. Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and USDA financial management regulations is required, with no military standards or physical delivery requirements applicable, as this is a research grant rather than a procurement contract.