FY26 Marine Turtle Conservation for Sustainable U.S. Fisheries Grant Program

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), administers the Marine Turtle Conservation for Sustainable U.S. Fisheries Grant Program. NOAA is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce tasked with stewardship of the nation’s oceanic and atmospheric resources. This funding opportunity is designed to support NOAA’s mission of sustaining living marine resources while ensuring the long-term viability of U.S. commercial fisheries. The program reflects NOAA’s broader mandate to balance conservation priorities with economic competitiveness, particularly in fisheries that interact with endangered species such as marine turtles. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit competitive proposals for projects that contribute to the conservation of endangered marine turtle populations, particularly those connected to the Pacific Islands Region. Projects must focus on generating data and implementing conservation strategies that inform sustainable management of U.S. commercial longline fisheries. The program emphasizes three priority areas: conservation of western Pacific leatherback sea turtles in the Coral Triangle region, conservation of North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles in Japan, and broader capacity-building efforts that support research, monitoring, and protection of marine turtle populations in international waters. These efforts aim to reduce fishery closures caused by species interaction limits while strengthening U.S. leadership in marine resource management. Funding under this program is expected to total approximately $700,000 annually, with an anticipated 4 to 6 awards distributed across the three priority areas. Individual award amounts vary depending on the priority category, with minimum annual awards ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 and maximum annual awards ranging from $85,000 to $220,000. Projects may be funded for up to three years, with annual funding increments and continued funding contingent upon performance and federal appropriations. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, making the program accessible to a wide range of applicants. However, projects must demonstrate high conservation value relative to cost and align with NOAA’s scientific and policy priorities. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations and individuals such as institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial entities, and state, local, and tribal governments. Federal agencies are not eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to conduct research or conservation activities, particularly in international contexts where applicable, and may need to provide permits or authorizations for activities involving marine turtles. Projects must also adhere to NOAA data management policies, including requirements for making environmental data publicly accessible within a specified timeframe. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, with alternatives available only under limited circumstances. Applicants must complete multiple federal registrations, including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, which can take several weeks. Required application components include standard federal forms, a project narrative, budget narrative, data management plan, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must detail objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and alignment with NOAA priorities. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as relevance to program goals, technical merit, applicant qualifications, cost-effectiveness, and outreach or educational components. Proposals must be submitted by June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. NOAA strongly encourages early submission to account for validation processes. The review process includes administrative screening, technical peer review, and final selection by a NOAA official. Awards are expected to be announced by October 2026, with project start dates as early as October 1, 2026. Selected projects may be funded as either grants or cooperative agreements, with the latter involving substantial NOAA participation in project implementation. This funding opportunity is competitive and recurring annually, reflecting NOAA’s ongoing commitment to marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.

Align proposals closely with NOAA priority areas and ESA recovery goals; demonstrate strong scientific methodology and measurable outcomes; ensure budget is cost-effective and justified; highlight partnerships and community engagement