Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research

The Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This federal program is authorized under the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act and is designed to strengthen the U.S. aquaculture industry through applied research. The funding opportunity supports projects that generate practical, science-based solutions to challenges facing aquaculture producers, with an emphasis on improving profitability, sustainability, and domestic production capacity. The program aligns with broader USDA priorities such as enhancing food security, expanding agricultural markets, and supporting innovation in farming systems. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support applied research that directly addresses major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture sector. Applicants must focus on at least one of four priority areas: genetics and genomics of commercial aquaculture species, pest and disease management, technologies and systems to increase farmer profitability, or economic research that enhances aquaculture viability. Projects are expected to deliver tangible outcomes that can be implemented within one to five years after completion, ensuring that research findings translate into real-world improvements for producers. Funding for this program in fiscal year 2026 is approximately $1.8 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $50,000 to $300,000. The program anticipates making approximately six to seven awards. Projects are funded as standard grants with a duration of up to 24 months, although a no-cost extension for a third year may be permitted under certain conditions. Funds must be used strictly for approved project purposes, and indirect costs are capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, research foundations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations, corporations, and individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Collaborative applications involving multiple eligible entities are also permitted. However, foreign and international organizations are not eligible. All proposals must demonstrate meaningful engagement with the U.S. aquaculture industry, such as partnerships with producers or advisory committees, and must include plans for disseminating results to stakeholders beyond academic audiences. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the designated funding opportunity number. The application package requires several components, including a project summary, a detailed project narrative limited to fifteen pages, a data management plan, a mentoring plan if applicable, and a logic model. The project narrative must include sections such as introduction, rationale, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and a timeline. Applicants must also describe how results will be communicated to stakeholders and how the project will impact aquaculture production or profitability. Applications are evaluated through a two-step process involving administrative screening followed by scientific peer review. Review criteria include proposal relevance, technical merit, qualifications of the research team, and the quality of the data management plan. Review panels consist of experts from academia, industry, and government, ensuring a balanced assessment of both scientific rigor and practical relevance. Final funding decisions are based on merit and alignment with program priorities. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is June 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Projects funded under fiscal year 2026 must begin before October 1, 2026. While the program is not explicitly stated as recurring, it is part of an ongoing federal grant program that may receive funding in future fiscal years, and previously unfunded meritorious proposals may be reconsidered if additional funds become available. For questions, applicants may contact program staff via designated USDA email addresses, and additional support is available through Grants.gov resources.

Ensure strong industry involvement and clearly demonstrate short-term impact on U.S. aquaculture profitability; align proposal tightly with one priority area and include clear technology transfer plans