Advancing Technologies and Methods to Improve Marine Mammal Stock Assessments and Mitigate Impacts

The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), an independent agency of the U.S. government, is soliciting proposals for its Fiscal Year 2026 grant cycle. This grant program seeks to support innovative projects that enhance the understanding of marine mammal populations and improve strategies to mitigate human-induced threats. The MMC’s mission is rooted in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which mandates the maintenance of marine mammal populations at healthy levels. Under Section 117 of the MMPA, accurate stock assessments are essential, relying on critical data such as minimum population estimates and information on human-caused mortality and serious injury. However, many marine mammal stocks are inadequately characterized, prompting the MMC to invest in advanced technologies and methods to bridge these gaps. The focus for the FY2026 funding opportunity is the development or application of novel tools, technologies, analytical methods, or community-based approaches. These methods should either support the improved understanding of marine mammal population status or help mitigate and better characterize the impacts of human activity. The Commission encourages projects that integrate cutting-edge technologies—such as satellite and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, and AI-based image or sound analysis—as well as those that leverage community science to advance conservation outcomes. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposals align with the Commission’s goals and deliver measurable benefits for marine mammal populations. Two main priority topic areas are outlined. The first is "Improving Stock Assessments," which encourages methodologies that enhance the accuracy of population parameters and other key assessment metrics. This could involve novel data collection strategies or new analytical tools. The second area is "Mitigating Stressors," where proposals should aim to reduce human-caused injury or mortality through the deployment of new tools, forecasting methods, or practical conservation applications. These efforts should have tangible conservation value and be applicable to regulatory mechanisms like take reduction plans or ESA consultations. Eligibility is inclusive, welcoming U.S.-based individuals and organizations such as academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, Tribal and Alaska Native organizations, co-management bodies, and community groups. Federal agencies may participate as collaborators but cannot receive funding directly. Non-U.S. entities are also eligible if their proposals are directly relevant to U.S. marine mammal stocks. All applicants must clearly articulate the U.S. relevance of their proposed work if based outside the country. The application process is staged. The first step is the submission of a pre-proposal, due by January 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, with invitations issued by February 16, 2026. Full proposals are then due by April 3, 2026, and award notifications will be sent via email by July 31, 2026. Pre-proposals must be submitted via the designated Box.com link; email submissions will not be accepted. Detailed submission requirements are hosted on the proposal requirements page. The maximum funding request per project is $75,000, subject to Congressional approval of the Commission’s FY2026 budget. Evaluation criteria for full proposals include the significance and relevance of the proposed work, technical merit, alignment with MMC goals, and likelihood of achieving proposed outcomes. Projects must also demonstrate realistic budgeting and timelines. For any inquiries related to the pre-proposal process or eligibility, applicants may contact Dee Allen, Scientific Program Officer, at [email protected] or 301-504-0087. Proposals will be reviewed confidentially, and reviewers will be selected based on expertise and absence of conflicts of interest.

Projects with measurable conservation outcomes and strong alignment with MMC’s mission will be prioritized.