USDA NIFA invites RFAs for Aquaculture Research Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture\'s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)is soliciting applied aquaculture research applications that directly address major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture industry

April 11, 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture\'s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced it will make available $1.2 million to support the development of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture programs.

This year, NIFA is soliciting applied aquaculture research applications that directly address major constraints to the U.S. aquaculture industry and focus on one or more program area priorities:

~ Genetics of commercial aquaculture species;
~ Critical disease issues impacting commercial aquaculture species;
~ Design of environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture production systems; or
~ Economic research for increasing aquaculture profitability.
~ Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals for the purpose of conducting research, extension, or education activities to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the U.S.

The Aquaculture Research Competitive Grants Program supports the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the U.S. by generating new science-based information and technology to address industry constraints. Results of projects supported by this program are intended to help improve the profitability of the U.S. aquaculture industry, reduce the U.S. trade deficit, increase domestic food security, expand markets for U.S.-produced products, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America.

NIFA reviews all proposals accepted in NIFA’s competitive grant programs through an external peer review process in which a panel of experts from within the respective field in question takes part. Specific details on panel meetings, review formats, and evaluation criteria may vary among programs.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Eastern time, May 17, 2018. See the funding opportunity for details.