Cooperative Research Program | NOAA NMFS SE 2020 2006152

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Cooperative Research Program (CRP)?

The Cooperative Research Program (CRP) is a NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) funding opportunity that supports collaborative, on-the-water fisheries research. The program is built around direct partnerships between fisheries scientists and the people who fish commercially or recreationally, with the goal of producing dependable data that can be used in fisheries management.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The CRP is designed to strengthen working relationships among NMFS researchers, state fishery agencies, and universities, while meaningfully involving the U.S. fishing industry in collecting core fisheries data. The intent is practical, management-relevant research that improves the information used to manage fisheries and evaluate regulatory and management options based on real-world observations.

3) What types of projects does the CRP focus on?

The program emphasizes applied, practical projects that improve fisheries information used for management. Examples of activities mentioned include collaborating on survey design, field sampling, gear testing, monitoring, and other methods that help generate and verify fisheries data with industry participation.

4) How is collaboration with fishermen expected to work in CRP projects?

Collaboration with commercial and recreational fishermen is not optional or peripheral in this program. The CRP explicitly encourages partnerships where fishermen are an integral part of how data are gathered, verified, and applied. In practice, this can mean fishermen and researchers working together in designing surveys, conducting sampling at sea, testing gear, and implementing monitoring approaches.

5) Which geographic areas are targeted by this opportunity?

The CRP targets three regions:

• Gulf of Mexico: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas
• South Atlantic: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
• U.S. Caribbean: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Projects are expected to be relevant to these areas and aligned with fisheries and management needs within them.

6) Does a project have to be directly related to one of the listed states/territories?

The information provided indicates the program targets the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and U.S. Caribbean regions and that projects are expected to be relevant to these areas and their fisheries/management needs. The specific eligibility or geographic requirements beyond that are referenced as being in the full notice.

7) What federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This is a NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of Commerce, administered through NOAA/NMFS.

8) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements typically involve a higher level of federal involvement during the project compared to a standard grant, consistent with the program emphasis on collaboration and joint implementation.

9) Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?

Yes. The CRP is described as a discretionary grant opportunity offered through NOAA/NMFS.

10) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 11.454.

11) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NOAA NMFS SE 2020 2006152.

12) What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $250,000.

13) How many awards were anticipated?

The notice anticipated making approximately 15 awards.

14) When was the application closing date?

The original application closing date shown is September 20, 2019. The creation date listed is July 11, 2019.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice. This generally signals that a range of institutions or organizations may be eligible as long as they meet the specific criteria laid out in the solicitation.

16) What categories or topic areas does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity sits within broad categories including environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development.

17) How does this program support fisheries management?

The CRP funds projects intended to improve the information used in fisheries management, including data that can strengthen stock assessments, enhance monitoring programs, and help agencies evaluate management and regulatory options using real-world observations supported by industry participation.

18) How does this program align with NOAA's mission?

The CRP aligns with NOAA's mission to "Protect, Restore, and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through an Ecosystem Approach to Management." This alignment shows up in the program focus on building trust, improving data quality, and producing research outputs that are practically useful for management decisions and long-term stewardship.

19) What makes this program different from traditional fisheries research funding?

A defining feature highlighted is the program's emphasis on direct, meaningful involvement of commercial and recreational fishermen in generating and validating core fisheries information. The cooperative agreement structure also signals more active federal involvement and collaboration during implementation compared to many standard grant programs.

20) What kinds of partnerships does the CRP aim to strengthen?

The program is intended to strengthen working relationships between NMFS researchers, state fishery agencies, and universities, while also building strong, practical collaborations with the fishing industry as a core component of data collection and application.