Bluefin Tuna Research Program

The Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funds cooperative agreements under the Bluefin Tuna Research Program (CFDA 11.058) to advance science-based fisheries management for Atlantic bluefin tuna, with an open solicitation due December 31, 2026. The program finances collaborative research projects involving NOAA Fisheries, state fishery agencies, universities, and other research institutions working with U.S. recreational and commercial fishery interests to improve understanding of Atlantic bluefin tuna abundance, biology, mixing, and population movement between eastern and western ocean basins.

Recent grant opportunities are active. NOAA posted solicitation NOAA-NMFS-SE-2027-33642 on August 27, 2026, with a December 31, 2026 application deadline. The solicitation funds Cooperative Agreements and welcomes proposals demonstrating collaboration with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Program and other ICCAT partners.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, individuals, state governments, local governments, and Indian Tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign entities are ineligible. The program does not support renewal of completed projects, though ongoing approved projects may be extended through amendment requests. Application review typically concludes within 180 calendar days of receipt of a complete application, though timelines may exceed this. The National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Program Office conducts review, with the NOAA Grants Management Division processing awards. Commercial applicants are subject to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F audit requirements, and all recipients must retain grant records for three years from final financial report submission.