Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood

The Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood is a competitive grant opportunity offered by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. This initiative is administered by the NCCOS Competitive Research Program (CRP), a program with a 30-year track record of advancing actionable science and supporting the development of tools and strategies for environmental management. The grant opportunity is backed by the authority of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (33 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.), emphasizing NOAA's commitment to mitigating the harmful effects of algal blooms in U.S. marine and freshwater systems. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the research and development of innovative, cost-effective technologies for the detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins in seafood. These toxins pose a significant threat to public health, seafood safety, and the economic viability of the U.S. seafood industry. By enhancing toxin detection methods, this program aims to protect consumers, support food security, and promote the competitiveness of American seafood in global markets. Projects should prioritize point-of-use technologies that are accessible, accurate, and adaptable to a range of settings, including remote and rural communities. The scope of funding supports projects that advance or adapt current toxin detection technologies, develop novel methods, or evaluate the performance of these technologies through validation studies. Proposals must address the primary goal of HAB toxin detection and demonstrate relevance to one or more secondary objectives, such as improving portability, speed, or affordability of testing methods. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, and applicants are encouraged to engage end users such as community members, local scientists, government agencies, and industry representatives. Selected projects will establish a Management Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) to ensure the technology aligns with practical needs. Applicants may request between $100,000 and $250,000 per year for up to three years, with a maximum project total of $750,000. Funding is contingent upon federal appropriations, and NCCOS/CRP may reject proposals exceeding the annual ceiling. Awards will begin on March 1, 2027. There is no cost share or matching requirement. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, local and state agencies, for-profit entities, and federal agencies (with appropriate authority to accept funds). Foreign researchers may participate only through U.S. partners via subawards or contracts. The submission process includes a mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI), due no later than April 14, 2026. LOIs must provide a concise summary of the project’s objectives, methodology, relevance to the NOFO, and a preliminary budget. NCCOS will respond to LOIs within one week. Full applications are due by May 14, 2026, via Grants.gov. Required registration in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons must be completed prior to submission and may take several weeks. The full application must include 14 detailed components, such as a project description, milestone chart, budget narrative, and data management plan. A collaborator list must be submitted separately by email. Evaluation criteria for proposals include relevance to program goals (45 points), technical merit (30 points), qualifications of the research team (10 points), budget justification (10 points), and outreach and education plans (5 points). Reviewers will prioritize projects that demonstrate alignment with end-user needs and include plans for technology transition. Successful applicants will be notified of award decisions by March 2027. All funded research must comply with NOAA’s data sharing and scientific integrity policies.

Prioritize end-user collaboration; Validate methods for multiple seafood matrices; Address past reviewer comments if reapplying; Leverage public-private-academic partnerships