Grant Announcement Massachusetts Large Whale and Sea Turtle Conservation Program

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries is announcing the availability of grant funds to support monitoring, documentation, protection, and recovery of large whale and sea turtle species in Massachusetts state waters and adjacent areas for 2026-2027, with applications due July 20, 2026.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and other qualified entities with demonstrated expertise in marine mammal and sea turtle conservation. The program prioritizes projects addressing critical conservation gaps, utilizing innovative monitoring technologies, or supporting collaborative research initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. Awards will be based on project merit, applicant qualifications, budget reasonableness, and alignment with the state's conservation priorities.

Applicants must submit proposals using the provided FY27 template, detailing project objectives, methodologies, timelines, expected outcomes, and detailed budgets justifying all requested funds. All grant recipients must complete a W-9 Form for tax reporting purposes and pass a Subrecipient Risk Assessment evaluating financial and organizational capacity to manage state funds, comply with applicable regulations, maintain adequate financial controls, and execute project activities successfully.

Selected grantees will be required to execute the Commonwealth Standard Contract Form, which establishes terms and conditions governing grant administration, financial management, performance accountability, reporting requirements, compliance with state and federal regulations, record-keeping and audit obligations, insurance requirements, indemnification, and compliance with Massachusetts nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws. The contract specifies procedures for invoicing, payment via electronic funds transfer, and intellectual property rights. Grantees must designate authorized signatories for contract-related documents.

The grant announcement does not specify total program funding, per-grant allocations, or detailed funding amounts. Applicants should review the complete Grant Announcement and Instructions document for eligibility requirements, funding restrictions, programmatic guidelines, and alignment with MADMF conservation objectives.