The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is soliciting proposals for its Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program, which will award grants that catalyze the implementation of electronic technologies for fisheries catch, effort, and/or compliance monitoring, and improvements to fishery information systems in U.S. fisheries. NFWF anticipates awarding up to $3.8 million through this solicitation, with most awards falling between $200,000 and $500,000. Matching contributions from non- federal sources (cash and in-kind) must equal or exceed the requested amount. Proposals are due Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. ET. NFWF will host an informational webinar to provide details on this opportunity Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, from 3-4 p.m. ET. Register here.
Program Priorities
The EMR Grant Program is focused on two major priorities:
- Electronic technology in fishery data collection: Improve reporting and monitoring of fisheries, including, but not limited to, assisting commercial and recreational fisheries with planning, developing, and executing effective EMR strategies.
- Modernize data management systems in order to reduce costs and improve consistency, interoperability, quality, and/or usability of electronically collected information.
Proposals should address these priorities by either: a.) Scaling up proven electronic technologies/data management systems to broaden impacts; or b.) developing, testing, and/or piloting innovative solutions and approaches to known fisheries and data management challenges. Note: The EMR Grant Program is not designed to fund ongoing administration of EMR programs to satisfy a fishery’s regulatory requirements.
NFWF’s priority fisheries include the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery, the New England groundfish fishery, the West Coast groundfish fishery, and the Alaska halibut and groundfish fisheries; however, other fisheries are fully eligible and have a strong history of receiving funding. If applicable, proposals should explain how projects will address National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries’ regional ET priorities as outlined in the ET Regional Implementation Plans.
Eligibility
- Eligible projects include those focused on U.S. state and federal fisheries, including tribal, commercial, recreational, or for-hire sectors.
- Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, state government agencies/interstate commissions, local/municipal governments, Tribal governments/organizations, educational institutions, commercial (for-profit) organizations, and international organizations.
- Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, including Regional Fishery Management Councils, and unincorporated individuals.
Questions? Contact NFWF’s EMR Program Liaison:
For this EMR application cycle, NFWF is working with Willy Goldsmith of Pelagic Strategies to assist prospective applications with project scoping, identifying partners, and technical/logistical support through the grant application process. Please reach out to Goldsmith by email at wgoldsmith@pelagicstrategies.com or by phone at 617-763-3340 with any questions about this grant opportunity or the application process.
