The USDA national institute of food and agriculture (NIFA) southern regional aquaculture center (SRAC) is one of five regional aquaculture centers established by congress in 1985

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Mississippi State University $934,771 on September 15, 2026, under the Regional Aquaculture Center Program (CFDA 10.271) to support aquaculture research, extension, education, and demonstration activities advancing viable and profitable U.S. aquaculture production across the Southern region.

The award funds competitive project proposals addressing priority needs identified by the region's aquaculture industry. Mississippi State University operates the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, one of five regional centers established by Congress in 1985. Expected outcomes and anticipated benefits from center-funded projects are documented in annual reports and project proposals posted at www.srac.msstate.edu.

Work is performed at Mississippi State University in Mississippi through September 14, 2031. The award obligates $934,771. Indirect costs and tuition remission are not allowable under this program. Grant funds support fundamental and applied research, extension and education objectives; awardees must maintain separate records for grant funds and retain documentation for at least three years beyond the grant period.

The mission of the SRAC is to support aquaculture research, development, education, and demonstration to enhance viable and profitable U.S. Aquaculture production to benefit consumers, producers, service industries, and the american economy. IT accomplishes this mission by developing and funding competitive project proposals to address priority needs identified by the region's aquaculture industry. Expected outcomes and anticipated benefits for each of the center-funded projects is presented in the annual reports and those reports as well as the project proposals are posted on the center's web site at WWW.SRAC.msstate.EDU.