There are a number of limitations that still affect the expansion and profitability of aquaculture in the north central region, which will be addressed in projects funded by the center

Iowa State University of Science and Technology received a $934,421 Project Grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants program (CFDA 10.200), effective September 15, 2025 through September 14, 2029. This award supports the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC), which conducts competitive research, extension, and demonstration projects designed to overcome limitations affecting aquaculture expansion and profitability in the North Central region.

The center delivers research and educational products addressing key aquaculture industry constraints, including species selection, regulatory compliance, animal health, marketing strategies, economics, and alternative feedstuff development. NCRAC disseminates findings and updates on aquaculture issues through annual competitive project solicitation, comprehensive reporting mechanisms, website content posted at www.ncrac.org, social media engagement, and regional listserv communications. Project outcomes, anticipated benefits, and detailed proposals are made publicly available to support industry adoption of research innovations and educational resources.

These limitations include, in part, limited extension/education products, species selection, regulations, economics, animal health, marketing and alternative feedstuffs for cultured animals. The purpose of the north central regional aquaculture center (ncrac) is to conduct viable research, extension, and demonstration projects which will overcome these limitations. The projects funded by the center are competitively solicited and reported annually to USDA-nifa. Expected outcomes and anticipated benefits for each of the center-funded projects are presented in the annual reports, and those reports, as well as the project proposals, are posted on the center's website at WWW.ncrac.ORG. Updated information on current aquaculture issues are communicated using social media and regional listserv.