SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program

The SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program is a competitive Federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The program operates under Assistance Listing 11.058 and authority provided by 16 U.S.C. 661. Its objective is to advance science-based fisheries management for Atlantic bluefin tuna by improving understanding of bluefin tuna fisheries, total abundance, biology, and particularly the effects of mixing and movement between eastern and western Atlantic populations. The research contributes to the broader multi-year research partnership involving Contracting Parties to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and other partners. Proposals demonstrating collaboration with the ICCAT Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Program and other ICCAT partners are strongly encouraged. Projects must address at least one identified research priority as it pertains to Atlantic bluefin tuna Federal fisheries management plans. Priorities include representative sampling of hard and soft tissues and associated analytical techniques for population genomics, stock composition, age composition, growth, and reproductive contribution; DNA sampling of U.S. recreational catch-and-release fisheries for close-kin mark-recapture and gene-tagging studies; research on spawning areas outside the Gulf of Mexico, including the Slope Sea; large-scale electronic and genetic tagging experiments to estimate movement, abundance, and mortality; novel fishery-independent techniques for estimating abundance or mortality or implementing novel management strategies; and integration of satellite remote sensing, oceanographic modeling, and other multidisciplinary products to evaluate environmental effects on bluefin tuna biology or fishery operations. Applicants addressing multiple priorities should identify first the priority most closely aligned with the proposal objectives. Approximately $600,000 may be available, contingent on the availability of funds. NOAA estimates approximately five awards ranging from $25,000 to $300,000, with an expected average award of $125,000. Awards will be cooperative agreements because NMFS expects substantial involvement in planning, scheduling, conducting, and analyzing project activities and in addressing technical issues during performance. An award may be funded as a single-year award for a period of up to 18 months or as a multiyear award not exceeding four years, with future-year funding contingent upon availability. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Construction is not allowable. The program also will not consider fees, fundraising activities, travel unrelated to project implementation, travel or salaries for Federal employees, profit, or ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements such as permit conditions, mitigation requirements, and settlement agreements. Application preparation and pre-award negotiation costs are not reimbursable. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian Tribal governments. Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded because the program is intended to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources. Every applicant must also include a written agreement with a person employed by NMFS who will serve as a partner in the proposed research. The agreement must be signed by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center Director or a designee. Applicants must complete the applicable Federal registrations before submission, including SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. NOAA advises applicants that registrations can take six weeks or longer and that the application deadline will not be extended because of registration delays. A complete application must be submitted through Grants.gov unless the applicant is unable to submit electronically and follows the specified paper submission procedure. Required materials include the applicable Standard Forms, lobbying certification and disclosure forms, a detailed budget and budget justification, a Data Sharing Plan, a signed SF-424, a one-page Project Synopsis, a Project Description limited to six pages, a Data Management Plan limited to two pages, literature cited if applicable, resumes limited to two pages for each major participant, the NOAA NEPA Questionnaire responses to questions 1 through 37, identification of principal participants, and copies of agreements describing participant tasks. The proposal must clearly present the proposed work, methods, relevance to Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery resources, timelines, expected outcomes, and costs. Application materials should be in Adobe PDF or a common word processing format, use at least 12-point font, be no less than single-spaced, and be printable on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with one-inch margins. Incomplete applications and applications that fail applicable format requirements will not be reviewed. Responsive applications will be evaluated by three or more appropriate private or public sector experts. Technical review criteria total 100 points: importance, relevance, and applicability to program goals is worth 30 points; technical and scientific merit is worth 25 points; overall qualifications of applicants is worth 20 points; project costs are worth 20 points; and Data Management Plan technical soundness is worth 5 points. Applications are averaged and ranked by technical score, and the top twenty may proceed to review by the BTRP panel. Panel members independently evaluate agency needs and importance to Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery management. Final selection can also consider funding availability, distribution of funds, duplication with other projects, program priorities and policy factors, prior award performance, partnerships or participation of targeted groups, and adequacy of information needed for NOAA environmental review. Full proposals must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 31, 2026. Grants.gov and eRA Commons validation may take up to two business days, so NOAA strongly recommends submitting a complete application at least two business days before the deadline. Successful applications are usually recommended for funding within 243 days of publication of the notice, subject to availability of funds, and applicants should not begin projects in expectation of Federal funding until an authorized NOAA Grants Officer signs the award. Financial and technical performance reports are required semi-annually during an award. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Dax Ruiz, State/Federal Liaison Branch, at Dax.Ruiz@noaa.gov or 727-824-5324.

Tie the proposal explicitly to at least one BTRP research priority and place the closest priority first if addressing multiple priorities. Clearly demonstrate relevance to Atlantic bluefin tuna management and NOAA's mission. Provide a technically sound and detailed research design with realistic objectives, methods, timelines, expected outcomes, monitoring, and evaluation. Demonstrate appropriate expertise, facilities, administrative resources, and collaboration, including collaboration with the fishing industry and international science community where relevant. Provide a detailed, realistic, cost-effective budget with justification. Submit a technically sound Data Management Plan addressing timely public data accessibility. Begin Federal registrations early and submit the final application at least two business days before the deadline to allow validation.