National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) - FY2026/27
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2027-33398
- Agency
-
Department of Commerce
- Applications due
- Award size
- $50,000 to $400,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Categories
-
- Natural Resources
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- County Governments
- City/Township Governments
- For Profit Organizations
- Special District Governments
- State Governments
- Individuals
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Small Businesses
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Other
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Points of contact
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting applications for the National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) to fund development and testing of innovative fishing gear and practices that minimize bycatch and reduce post-release mortality in U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries, with applications due January 22, 2027. CFDA 11.452.
Eligible applicants include individuals, higher education institutions (public and private), for-profit organizations, state and local governments, U.S. territorial governments, Alaska Native organizations, Indian tribal governments (federally recognized and not federally recognized), and 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits. Federal agencies and instrumentalities are ineligible.
The award structure follows the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act mandate to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable. NOAA funds concrete applied work: bycatch reduction gear development and testing; training and education on safe handling and release techniques for protected species; workforce development in fisheries and aquaculture; and community-based monitoring and stewardship projects. Recent awards have ranged from $28,808 to $595,335 in federal obligation, with a modal award size of $15,000 to $50,000; multi-year cooperative agreements reach larger values. No formal cost share requirement is stated. Multiple-year awards of up to five years may be approved, with funding beyond the first year contingent upon fund availability and recipient performance against project objectives.
Review occurs within 180 calendar days (timeline may exceed this). NMFS offices evaluate proposals for technical merit, soundness of design, applicant competency, contribution to national or regional goals, and cost appropriateness. Contact: Justin Pearce, 301-427-8521, NMFS.HQ.BREP@noaa.gov.
Synopsis
This grant program provides competitive grants to non-Federal researchers working to benefit U.S. fishermen and fisheries, including aquaculture, through the development of improved fishing practices and innovative gear technologies. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended (MSA), 16 U.S.C. 1865, requires that NOAA's conservation and management measures minimize bycatch to the extent practicable and established the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) to support the development of technological devices and other conservation engineering changes to minimize bycatch and reduce post-release mortality of non-target species in our nation's fisheries. Bycatch reduction is a priority for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as outlined in the NMFS National Bycatch Reduction Strategy (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/bycatch/national-bycatchreduction-strategy). Fisheries bycatch can contribute to overfishing, population declines for threatened and endangered species, and can result in commercial fishery closures. This Program seeks to support the development and testing of fishing gears and approaches that can be applied in commercial and recreational fisheries to reduce bycatch and post-release mortality and address the MSA requirements to minimize bycatch and habitat impacts.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and state, local, U.S. territorial, Alaska Native, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or instrumentalities are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. If an eligible applicant has questions regarding this funding opportunity, they should contact: Justin Pearce Office of Sustainable Fisheries 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-427-8521 NMFS.HQ.BREP@noaa.gov
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Foa_Content_of_NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2027-33398 (2).pdf |
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