FY2025 Young Fishermens Career Development Projects
This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that help young individuals develop careers in the commercial fishing industry by offering training and resources to address workforce challenges.
The FY 2025 Young Fishermen’s Career Development Projects, announced by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program (NSGO), aims to fund initiatives that enable individuals to pursue careers in the commercial fishing industry. This funding opportunity seeks to address workforce challenges, including recruitment and retirement gaps, by providing training and resources for the next generation of fishermen. Approximately $1,000,000 in federal funding is available, supporting 2-3 awards with a maximum of $400,000 each over one or two years. This program aligns with the objectives of the Young Fishermen’s Development Act (2020), fostering skill-building in areas like seamanship, navigation, safety, vessel maintenance, and sustainable fishing practices. Projects must focus on specific regional needs within NOAA’s five fisheries regions and emphasize diverse, equitable, and inclusive participation. While a 25% non-federal match is required, certain insular areas may qualify for waivers. Proposals cannot use funds for purchasing fishing permits, quotas, or licenses. Eligible applicants include collaborative networks or partnerships from public or private entities, such as Sea Grant institutions, state or tribal agencies, non-profits, educational institutions, and fishermen’s associations. Applicants must complete registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. A well-structured proposal should include a project narrative, detailed budget justification, and a diversity and inclusivity statement. Proposals will be evaluated based on their relevance to program goals, technical and scientific merit, applicant qualifications, budget feasibility, and outreach potential. Special consideration will be given to projects that promote cultural preservation, regional economic growth, and participation of underrepresented groups in fisheries. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by April 23, 2025, with projects commencing no earlier than September 1, 2025. NOAA encourages early submission to ensure compliance with formatting and technical requirements. This initiative represents an opportunity to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the U.S. commercial fishing industry. For additional details or assistance, applicants can contact NOAA’s National Sea Grant Office.
Award Range
Not specified - $400,000
Total Program Funding
$1,000,000
Number of Awards
3
Matching Requirement
Yes - Non-federal matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the federal funding request must be provided unless a waiver justified by statute is granted, such as the waiver for insular areas granted by the Department of Commerce pursuant to 48 U.S.C. 1469a.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
The following entities are eligible to submit to this opportunity: To be eligible to receive a grant under this program a recipient shall be a collaborative State, Tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities, which may include (A) a Sea Grant Institution; (B) a Federal or State agency or a Tribal organization; (C) a community-based nongovernmental organization; (D) fishermens cooperatives or associations; (E) an institution of higher education (including an institution awarding an associates degree), or a foundation maintained by an institution of higher education; or (F) any other appropriate entity. Federal agencies and their personnel are not permitted to receive federal funding under this competition; however, federal scientists and other employees can serve as uncompensated partners or co-Principal Investigators on applications. Federal labs and offices can also make available specialized expertise, facilities or equipment to applicants but cannot be compensated under this competition for their use, nor can the value of such assets be used as match. To be eligible to apply or receive an award, applicant organizations must complete and maintain three registrations; SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. For each, the complete registration process can take 4 to 6 weeks, so applicants must begin this activity as soon as possible and well before the proposal due date. For more information on how to meet these registration and application submission requirements without errors, we advise all to carefully review relevant Applicant and Grantee Training modules: https://www.commerce.gov/ocio/programs/gems/applicant-and-grantee-training. Additionally, we advise that all carefully read Additional Application Package Forms within the Full Proposal Required Elements section below. The National Sea Grant College Program champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by recruiting, retaining and preparing a diverse workforce, and proactively engaging and serving the diverse populations of coastal communities. Sea Grant is committed to building inclusive research, extension, communication and education programs that serve people with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, perspectives and ways of thinking. We encourage applicants of all ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, cultures, religions, citizenship types, marital statuses, education levels, job classifications, veteran status types, income, and socioeconomic status types to apply for this opportunity.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
November 29, 2024
Application Closes
April 23, 2025
Grantor
U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC NOAA - ERA Production)
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