Overview for Prospective Applicants
TheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation(NFWF)issolicitingproposalsforitsElectronicMonitoringand Reporting(EMR)GrantProgram,whichwillawardgrantsthatcatalyzetheimplementationofelectronic technologies(ET)forfisheriescatch,effort,and/orcompliancemonitoring,andimprovementstofishery informationsystemsinUS fisheries Examplesofpastprojectsfundedthroughtheprogramcanbefound here.NFWFanticipatesawardingupto$4.8millionthroughthissolicitation,withmostawardsfalling between$200,000and$500,000 Matchingcontributionsfromnon-federalsources(cashandin-kind)must equalorexceedtherequestedamount(ie,a1:1match) ProposalsaredueonMonday,October2,2024by 11:59pmET.NFWFwillhostaninformationalwebinartoprovidedetailsonthisopportunityonWednesday, July31,2024,from3:00-4:00pmET:Registerhere.
ProgramPriorities:
TheEMRGrantProgramisfocusedontwomajorpriorities:
1) Electronic technology in fishery data collection:Improvereportingandmonitoringoffisheries, includingbutnotlimitedtoassistingcommercialandrecreationalfisherieswithplanning,developing, andexecutingeffectiveEMRstrategies
2) Modernize data management systems inordertoreducecostsandimproveconsistency, interoperability,quality,and/orusabilityofelectronically-collectedinformation.
Proposalsshouldaddresstheseprioritiesbyeither:a)Scalingupprovenelectronictechnologies/data managementsystemstobroadenimpacts;orb)Developing,testing,and/orpilotinginnovativesolutionsand approachestoknownfisheriesanddatamanagementchallenges Note: The EMR Grant Program is not designed to fund ongoing administration of EMR programs to satisfy a fishery’s regulatory requirements
Anadditionalpriorityfor2024focusesonimplementingspecificETtocollectfishingeffortinGulfofMexico state-permittedshrimpfisheries PleasecontactGrayRedding(grayredding@nfwforg)ifinterestedinthis newspecificpriority.
NFWFpriorityfisheriesincludetheGulfofMexicoreeffishfishery,theNewEnglandgroundfishfishery,the WestCoastgroundfishfishery,andtheAlaskahalibut/groundfishfisheries; however,otherfisheriesarefully eligibleandhaveastronghistoryofreceivingfunding.Ifapplicable,proposalsshouldexplainhowprojects willaddressNOAAFisheries’regionalETprioritiesasoutlinedintheETRegionalImplementationPlans
Eligibility:
● EligibleprojectsincludethosefocusedonUS stateandfederalfisheries,includingtribal,commercial, recreational,orfor-hiresectors.
● Eligibleapplicantsincludenon-profitorganizations,stategovernmentagencies/interstatecommissions, local/municipalgovernments,Tribalgovernments/organizations,educationalinstitutions,commercial (for-profit)organizations,andinternationalorganizations
● Ineligible applicantsincludeU.S.Federalgovernmentagencies,includingRegionalFishery ManagementCouncils,andunincorporatedindividuals.
Questions?ContactNFWF’sEMRProgramLiaison:
NFWFisworkingwithWillyGoldsmithofPelagicStrategiestoassistprospectiveapplicantswithproject scoping,identificationofpartners,andtechnical/logisticalsupportthroughthegrantapplicationprocess. PleasereachouttoWillybyemailatwgoldsmith@pelagicstrategies.comorbyphoneat(617)763-3340with anyquestionsaboutthisgrantopportunityortheapplicationprocess