NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER
CONNECTICUT DELAWARE MAINE MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND VERMONT WASHINGTON D.C. WEST VIRGINIA
CURRENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Heading 5
NRAC REQUEST FOR PRE-PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR FY2025
Now open for application.
Pre-Proposals are due by 5:00 pm PDT, July 5, 2024
Based on extensive input from aquaculture industry, Extension, and research representatives throughout the region, NRAC is seeking Pre-Proposals for nine research areas, which are listed in the RFP.
NRAC’s planning process for new research, Extension and demonstration projects covers a 36 month period. Typically, the first 24 months focus on research and the last 12 months are dedicated to evaluation of the outcomes and educational and training efforts resulting from the research. Our process includes includes:
-
identification and prioritization of research areas
-
solicitation and review of pre-proposals
-
selection of proposals for development and implementation
For details about the RFP process, review the links below. The final selection of projects includes anonymous external review by at least three peers from outside the Northeast Region (when possible).
Funding for approved projects begins September 1, 2025 (contingent upon timely receipt of funds from USDA-NIFA) and continues for up to four years.
Learn More:
Click the image above to learn more about how to apply for funding.
NRAC has approximately $700,000 for project funding available in the fall of 2025. Each project can be funded up to $300,000.
Your pre-proposal must have a funded Extension component, multistate participation and Logic Model.
Please make sure you follow font size and page limit requirements. See all requirements in the RFA.
NRAC TARGETED RESEARCH AREAS
2025
The following targeted research areas have been prepared by the NRAC Technical and Industry Advisory Council and approved by the Board of Directors.
Pre-proposals that address the targeted research area will receive equal consideration.
Aquaculture commodities chosen for study should have proven or have viable economic potential for commercial development in the Northeast region. Collaborative partnership(s) with appropriate industry sector(s) or firm(s) is highly encouraged. Projects that promise to produce tangible impact-driven end-products that are of direct use or value to particular aquaculture businesses or addresses key bottlenecks to aquaculture operations or marketing are preferred.
NRAC encourages a diversity of research and investigators to advance aquaculture (including aquaponics) in the Northeast as it relates to species, production systems, applications, and markets.
NRAC supports projects that occur in either marine or freshwater environments, at sea or on land, and in urban centers or rural settings. Aquaculture organisms are always primarily aquatic and include finfish, shellfish, or invertebrates, seaweed, other aquatic plants, and microalgae.
1
PRIORITY STATEMENT: TRA-25-1
Goal:
To improve the opportunities for growth and sustainability of the aquaculture industry by focusing on areas of economic, environmental, and social impacts at all industry stages (i.e., product life-cycle curve):
-
New/young businesses: issues affecting barriers to entry, assisting market or industry segment entrants
-
Established businesses: issues affecting scalability and growth as demands increase
-
Mature businesses: issues affecting sustainability and maintenance such as the development of new market opportunities or diversification
Statement of Opportunity:
Aquaculture in the northeast region includes a diversity of species, systems, and industries. NRAC funds projects that focus on all aspects of aquaculture and emphasize outcomes leading to development and sustainable growth of the industry. Members of the IAC have identified the following challenges as major constraints:
-
Access to capital Operation siting
-
Navigating the regulatory environment
-
Education-to-workforce pipeline
-
Infrastructure needs and/or shortfalls
-
Improving efficiency and optimizing production
-
Management of disease and biological security
-
Practical responses to environmental interactions and change, and identifying potential market and policy solutions
-
Industry-wide strategic planning
-
Industry reputation and market/public acceptance
-
Market development expansion and diversification
NRAC welcomes proposals that address these identified issues, as well as other issues that advance aquaculture in the Northeast. NRAC funds multistate, outcome-based research. Project deliverables should be clearly specified. Collaboration with industry and/or Extension is required. These individuals must be identified, and their participation explicitly detailed in the proposal. Communicating and disseminating effective science-based information about aquaculture and evaluating impacts are central to the NRAC mission. Dissemination plans should be clearly outlined in every proposal.
