Unallied Projects

Active

Assistance listing
11.454
Agency
Grant awards
670 $1,212,236,841 in federal obligations

Program facts

Also known as
Unallied Management
Assistance types
  • Cooperative Agreement
  • Project Grant
  • Formula Grant
Treasury account
  • 13-1450-0-1-306
More information

Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.

About this program

The Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funds fisheries science and management research under Unallied Projects (CFDA 11.454), with the most recent award disbursed in January 2027 and a next opportunity due April 24, 2026 for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program.

The program funds field research, population monitoring, management support, and educational outreach addressing fisheries science, protected species recovery, and sustainable resource management across domestic and international waters. Recent awards span sea turtle stranding response and rehabilitation on Hawaiian islands, fish spawning assessment at Atlantic management zones, Hawaiian monk seal and false killer whale conservation efforts, scallop larval dynamics and recruitment under climate stress, bycatch mitigation in snapper-grouper fisheries, electronic monitoring pilots for reef fish vessels, and international sea turtle nesting beach protection in Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and Solomon Islands. The program also funds professional development platforms including the American Fisheries Society's annual meeting network and the International Sea Turtle Society's symposium series.

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service administers 100 percent of the portfolio's 670 awards. The assistance-type mix is predominantly Project Grants (60 percent) with a substantial share of Cooperative Agreements (39 percent) and a minor share of Formula Grants (1 percent). Combined federal dollars obligated total $1.21 billion; combined total obligated (including recipient cost-share) is $1.24 billion, indicating minimal matching requirements. Recent annual award volume has averaged 22 awards per year over the past five years, though 2026 and 2027 show lower counts (1 and 2 awards respectively as of January 2027). Individual award magnitudes range from $21,310 to $1.097 million, with typical project grants in the $50,000 to $300,000 range and cooperative agreements similarly distributed.

Representative recent awards include two Hawaiian pelagic fishery collaborations with small-boat fishers collecting fish egg and larvae samples via eDNA testing ($125,062 and $137,786, January 2027); Hawaiian monk seal response and community outreach on multiple islands ($240,000 to $600,000 awards to nonprofit and state agencies, October 2025); sea turtle stranding response and education on Maui and Hawaii Island ($21,310 to $180,000, October 2025); and the American Fisheries Society's professional development and workforce recruitment programs ($94,933, July 2026).

The 2026 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set Aside opportunity (due April 24, 2026) solicits scallop fishery research proposals and awards scallop RSA quota—not federal funds—with proceeds from quota sales funding activities. The FY25 Pacific Islands Hawaii Marine Wildlife Response and Outreach opportunity (closed February 17, 2025) was open to nonprofits, state and tribal governments, and other entities for Hawaiian monk seal and sea turtle field response and outreach across Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii Island, with funding capped by island and species ($140,000 to $460,000 total pools).

Objective and description

Objective

Projects that do not align with program specific ALNs that provide fisheries science and management information needed by the fishing industry as well as Federal and State natural resource administrators for sustainable U.S fishery yields, conserving

Description

Projects that do not align with program specific ALNs that provide fisheries science and management information needed by the fishing industry as well as Federal and State natural resource administrators for sustainable U.S fishery yields, conserving and managing fishery resources, and protected species and their environment in Federal, State, and U.S. territorial waters.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

Eligible applicants for assistance include: State and local governments, including their universities and colleges; U.S. territorial agencies; federally and state recognized Indian Tribal governments; private universities and colleges; private profit and nonprofit research and conservation organizations and individuals.

Beneficiary eligibility

This program benefits Federal, State and interstate marine resource conservation and management agencies; U.S. and foreign commercial and recreational fishing industries; conservation organizations; academic institutions; international and Indian Tribal treaties; private and public research groups; consumers; and the general public.

Uses of assistance

Funds can be used by recipients to support a wide variety of management activities for high-priority marine and estuarine resources, especially for species and/or their habitat currently under or proposed for future Federal or interjurisdictional management.

Length and time phasing of assistance

Awards are normally for a 12-month or 18-month period, but in some instances, award periods may extend beyond these periods, or may be completed in less time. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and are expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures. Funds are requested through the Financial Management System as part of the Department of Treasury's Automated Standard Application for Payment System (ASAP). See http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap/pr_gettingstarted.html.

How to apply

Preapplication coordination

Criteria for proposals is located in the NOFO. Refer to program guidelines

Criteria for selecting proposals

Proposals are selected from several sources: Unsolicited proposals; special solicitations in the Federal Register, FedBizOppss,or Congressionally mandated projects. Regardless of source, proposals must undergo rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.

Award procedure

Proposals are initially evaluated by the pertinent NMFS Office/Region/Science Center, and are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs. Projects approved for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

Time to approval or disapproval

A date range will change depending on the review process. Usually within 180 calendar days from the receipt of a complete and acceptable application but may exceed that timeline.

Renewals

No renewal. However, an approved on-going project can be extended by submission of an amendment request. Multiple year awards of up to five years may be approved. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of program funds in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements.

Appeals

No formal appeal procedure. If application is unacceptable the reasons are fully stated to the applicant. If the applicant desires to resubmit application, project must be revised in accordance with recommended changes.

Grant opportunities

Opportunity Status Posted Applications due
2026 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2026-31286 Closed
FY25 Pacific Islands - Hawai'i Marine Wildlife Response and Outreach NOAA-NMFS-PIR-2025-29385 Closed
2025 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2025-27203 Closed
IRA - Indigenous Engagement Program (IEP) NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2024-25622 Closed
Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic NOAA-NMFS-SE-2024-2008104 Closed
2024 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2024-2008103 Closed
FY24 Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2024-2008076 Closed
NMFS West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program NOAA-NMFS-WCRO-2023-2007937 Closed
2023/2024 Monkfish Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2023-2007796 Closed
2023 International Marine Turtle Management and Conservation Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2023-2007700 Closed
2023/2024 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-GARFO-2023-2007509 Closed
FY23 Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2023-2007497 Closed
NMFS West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program NOAA-NMFS-WCRO-2022-2007169 Closed
FY22 Pacific Islands - Hawaii Marine Wildlife Response, Outreach, and Population Monitoring Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2022-2007110 Closed
FY22 Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2022-2006998 Closed
2022/2023 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2022-2006947 Closed
NMFS West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program NOAA-NMFS-WCRO-2021-2006805 Closed
2021 Recreational Fisheries Competition for the Pacific Islands NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2021-2006715 Closed
2021/2022 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2021-2006494 Closed
FY21 Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2021-2006576 Closed
Pacific Islands Region Sustainable Recreational and Non-Commercial Fishing Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2020-2006315 Closed
2020 Pacific Islands Region Marine Turtle Management and Conservation Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2020-2006311 Closed
2020 Marine Recreational Fisheries Photo Contest NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2020-2006198 Closed
2020/2021 Monkfish Research Set-Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2020-2006149 Closed
2020/2021 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2020-2006140 Closed
Cooperative Research Program NOAA-NMFS-SE-2020-2006152 Closed
2019 Pacific Islands Region Marine Turtle Management and Conservation Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2019-2005913 Closed
2019 Partnerships for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery and Conservation NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2019-2005826 Closed
2019/2020 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2019-2005749 Closed
2019-2021 Atlantic Herring Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2019-2005611 Closed
FY19 Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2019-2005743 Closed
2018/2019 Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2018-2005338 Closed
2018/2019 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2018-2005322 Closed
FY18 Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2018-2005311 Closed
2017 Partnerships for Implementing Hawaiian Monk Seal Species in the Spotlight Priority Recovery Actions NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2017-2005112 Closed
2016 Partnerships for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery and Marine Mammal Response in Hawaii NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2016-2004735 Closed
2016 Monkfish RSA FFO NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2016-2004598 Closed
Year 2016/2017 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2016-2004548 Closed
2016-2018 Atlantic Herring Research Set Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2016-2004537 Closed
Cooperative Research Program (CRP) NOAA-NMFS-SE-2016-2004511 Closed
2015 Partnerships for Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery and Marine Mammal Response in the Pacific Islands Region NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2015-2004251 Closed
2015 Pacific Islands Region Marine Turtle Management and Conservation Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2015-2004257 Closed
Year 2015/2016 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2015-2004221 Closed
2013 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA) NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2013-2003258 Closed
2012 Pacific Islands Region Marine Turtle Management Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2012-2003230 Closed
2012 Partnerships for the Marine Mammal Response and Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Program NOAA-NMFS-PIRO-2012-2003228 Closed
Show all 46

Grant awards

Award Recipient Federal obligations Awarded
Hawaiis pelagic fishery, which includes bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish, is the largest of hawaiis… NA26NMFX454C0013 Poseidon Fisheries Research LLC $137,786
Hawaiis pelagic fishery, which includes bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish, is the largest of hawaiis… NA26NMFX454C0012 North Carolina State University $125,062
The mission and programs of the american fisheries society (AFS) align closely with the mission and objectives of the… NA26NMFX454G0010 American Fisheries Society $94,933
The annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation conducted every year by the international sea turtle… NA25NMFX454G0060 International Sea Turtle Society Inc. $50,000
The hawaii island hawksbill project (hihp) aims to support the recovery of endangered hawksbill sea turtles in… NA25NMFX454C0023 The Honu Project $200,000
Malama i NA honu (MNH) proposes a multi-year project to continue and expand its educational outreach efforts… NA25NMFX454C0022 Malama NA Honu $60,000
The hawai'i preparatory academy (HPA) sea turtle stranding response and educational outreach project addresses sea… NA25NMFX454C0019 Hawaii Preparatory Academy $21,310
The maui ocean center marine institute (mocmi) proposes to implement a comprehensive sea turtle conservation program on… NA25NMFX454C0018 Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute $180,000
The maui ocean center marine institute (mocmi) proposes a project to support the management, field response, and… NA25NMFX454C0017 Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute $300,000
This project, titled collaborative approaches to protecting hawaiian monk seals on hawai'i island, aims to support… NA25NMFX454C0014 The Marine Mammal Center $240,000

Latest 10 of 670 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Top recipients by federal obligations

10 of 185 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Federal obligations by fiscal year

Fiscal year Federal obligations
FY2026 $2,304,081
FY2025 $7,051,747
FY2024 $18,626,866
FY2023 $23,148,119
FY2022 $28,941,577
FY2021 $277,216,523
FY2020 $303,970,258
FY2019 $5,035,204
FY2018 $4,664,267
FY2017 $4,643,205
FY2016 $13,064,575
FY2015 $39,410,778
FY2014 $15,206,746
FY2013 $4,296,731
FY2012 $3,730,717
FY2011 $4,219,744
FY2010 $13,126,885
FY2009 $6,476,750
FY2008 $115,706,448
FY2007 $147,873,238
FY2006 $130,894,953
FY2005 $11,828,686
FY2004 $8,527,620
FY2003 $16,936,174
FY2002 $2,850,860
FY2001 $2,508,992
Show all 26

Quick answers

What is Assistance Listing 11.454?

Assistance Listing 11.454 is Unallied Projects, a federal grant program run by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce).

What is the CFDA number for Unallied Projects?

Its CFDA number is 11.454: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.

How much funding has Assistance Listing 11.454 awarded?

670 grant awards under 11.454 have obligated $1,212,236,841 in federal funds to 185 recipients.

Who receives the most funding from 11.454?

The recipients obligated the most under Unallied Projects are Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission ($427,985,687), Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission ($286,617,586) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission ($265,672,300).

How much did 11.454 obligate in fiscal year 2025?

Grants under 11.454 obligated $7,051,747 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.

Are there open grant opportunities under 11.454?

No opportunity listed under 11.454 is open now. The latest, 2026 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program, was posted on January 22, 2026.

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