Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is seeking proposals for the development and advancement of innovative, efficient, and cost-effective point-of-use harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxin detection technologies in seafood to promote food safety, security, and the economic competitiveness of U.S. seafood industries. Applicants must address the primary objective of developing or advancing HAB toxin detection in seafood and select at least one of three secondary objectives: adapting detection technologies for portability or cost-effectiveness, conducting validation studies, or developing novel detection technologies. The program prioritizes proposals for paralytic shellfish or ciguatera toxin detection, matrix-independent detection methods, and public-private-academic partnerships. Proposals will be evaluated on five criteria: importance and relevance to program goals (45 points), technical and scientific merit (30 points), qualifications of applicants (10 points), project costs (10 points), and outreach and education plans (5 points). Letters of intent are due by April 14, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) to nccos.grant.awards@noaa.gov, and full applications must be received and validated by Grants.gov by July 16, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time), with an informational webinar scheduled for March 24, 2026.

NOAA expects to support two to five projects with annual budgets of $100,000–$250,000 per project, not to exceed $750,000 total per project over one to three years of performance. Projects are anticipated to begin on April 1, 2027, with award notifications expected by April 2027. Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal government entities, U.S. Territories, for-profit organizations, and Federal applicants with appropriate legal authority. All funded projects must establish a Management Technical Advisory Group to incorporate end-user needs into technology development and comply with NOAA administrative requirements, data sharing mandates, and federal acquisition regulations.