Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2026 32563
Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2026 32563
- The DOC NOAA - ERA Production in the education, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.439.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program is a discretionary NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service, NMFS) funding opportunity designed to support Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) in conserving marine mammals that are used for subsistence and in strengthening co-management of those species. The program is grounded in federal authority under 16 U.S.C. 1388 and recognizes that marine mammals have significant cultural, nutritional, and community importance to Alaska Native peoples. Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, which typically means NMFS expects meaningful involvement in the project during performance (for example, coordination, technical input, or shared implementation), rather than a completely hands-off grant.
Funding is intended to help ANOs carry out practical conservation and co-management work tied to marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction. Eligible project types include developing and implementing species management efforts, monitoring subsistence harvests, collecting harvest samples, conducting scientific research that supports conservation and management needs, and conducting public education and outreach. A strong proposal will connect its work to existing priority actions where they apply, such as actions identified in an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan or a Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Conservation Plan, and will also align with the priorities spelled out in the announcement. The program explicitly excludes proposals focused on marine mammals that fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, so applicants need to ensure their target species and activities are NMFS-managed to be considered.
Eligibility is narrow and centered on established co-management relationships. Applicants must be Alaska Native Organizations as defined in the announcement (groups designated by law or formally chartered that represent or consist of Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos residing in Alaska) and must already have a signed marine mammal co-management agreement with NOAA Fisheries in place at the time of application. If an ANO uses a separate entity as its fiduciary agent, the application must include the agreement between the ANO and that fiduciary agent, with clear detail on roles and responsibilities; even in that structure, the ANO must be listed as the lead organization consistent with the agreement. ANOs that do not currently hold a co-management agreement with NMFS cannot apply as the lead, but they may participate by collaborating as a sub-recipient under an eligible lead applicant.
Key administrative details include the opportunity title (2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program) and opportunity number (NOAA NMFS AK 2026 32563). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the program is listed under CFDA 11.439. NOAA (DOC NOAA - ERA Production) is the issuing agency. The application deadline is May 31, 2026 (OriginalClosingDate: 2026-05-31). The maximum award amount is $1,500,000 (AwardCeiling), and NOAA anticipates making about 10 awards (ExpectedAwards: 10). The announcement notes that some information has changed from the prior year, so applicants are expected to read the full notice carefully and rely on the current year requirements when building budgets, work plans, and eligibility documentation.
FAQs: 2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program (NOAA Fisheries / NMFS)
What is the 2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program?
The 2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program is a discretionary NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service, NMFS) funding opportunity that supports Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) in conserving marine mammals used for subsistence and in strengthening co-management of those species.
Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The issuing agency is NOAA within the U.S. Department of Commerce, specifically NOAA Fisheries (NMFS). The opportunity listing indicates "DOC NOAA - ERA Production" as the issuing office/system reference.
What is the official opportunity number and title?
The title is 2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program and the opportunity number is NOAA NMFS AK 2026 32563.
What type of funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Awards are issued as cooperative agreements. This typically means NMFS expects meaningful involvement during the project period (for example, coordination, technical input, or shared implementation), rather than a fully hands-off arrangement.
What is the legal authority for this program?
The program is grounded in federal authority under 16 U.S.C. 1388.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 11.439.
Who is eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
Eligibility is limited to Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) as defined in the announcement (groups designated by law or formally chartered that represent or consist of Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos residing in Alaska) that also have a signed marine mammal co-management agreement with NOAA Fisheries in place at the time of application.
Do applicants need to already have a signed co-management agreement with NMFS?
Yes. To apply as the lead organization, the ANO must already have a signed marine mammal co-management agreement with NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) in place when applying.
Can an Alaska Native Organization without a current NMFS co-management agreement apply?
No, not as the lead applicant. ANOs that do not currently hold a co-management agreement with NMFS cannot apply as the lead. They may still participate by collaborating as a sub-recipient under an eligible lead applicant.
Can a fiduciary agent submit on behalf of an Alaska Native Organization?
If an ANO uses a separate entity as its fiduciary agent, the application must include the agreement between the ANO and the fiduciary agent, including clear roles and responsibilities. Even with a fiduciary agent structure, the ANO must be listed as the lead organization consistent with the agreement.
What kinds of activities or projects are eligible for funding?
Funding is intended to support practical conservation and co-management work tied to marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction. Examples of eligible project types include:
- Developing and implementing species management efforts
- Monitoring subsistence harvests
- Collecting harvest samples
- Conducting scientific research that supports conservation and management needs
- Conducting public education and outreach
What is the program trying to accomplish?
The program aims to support conservation of marine mammals used for subsistence and to strengthen co-management of those species. The announcement also notes the cultural, nutritional, and community importance of marine mammals to Alaska Native peoples.
Does the program prioritize projects connected to specific plans or priority actions?
Yes. A strong proposal will connect its work to existing priority actions where applicable, such as actions identified in an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan or a Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Conservation Plan, and it should align with the priorities stated in the announcement.
Are projects involving U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed marine mammals eligible?
No. The program explicitly excludes proposals focused on marine mammals that fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Applicants need to ensure their target species and activities are NMFS-managed to be considered.
Is this funding limited to Alaska?
The opportunity is designed to support Alaska Native Organizations and specifically references marine mammals used for subsistence by Alaska Native peoples and co-management agreements with NOAA Fisheries, indicating an Alaska-focused program context.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 31, 2026 (OriginalClosingDate: 2026-05-31).
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (Award Ceiling) is $1,500,000.
How many awards does NOAA expect to make?
NOAA anticipates making about 10 awards (ExpectedAwards: 10).
Is this program competitive or automatic?
It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity, which indicates awards are made through a competitive or merit-based selection process rather than automatically.
What should applicants pay attention to compared to prior years?
The announcement notes that some information has changed from the prior year, so applicants are expected to read the full notice carefully and rely on the current year requirements when developing budgets, work plans, and eligibility documentation.
What does "meaningful involvement" from NMFS mean in practice?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, NMFS may be involved during performance through activities such as coordination, technical input, or shared implementation, as described in the opportunity summary.
What marine mammals does this program cover?
The program supports work tied to marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction. The notice also states that proposals focused on marine mammals under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jurisdiction are excluded, so applicants must ensure the target species are NMFS-managed.
Can education and outreach be part of an application?
Yes. Public education and outreach are specifically listed as an eligible project type.
Can scientific research be included in an application?
Yes. Scientific research is eligible when it supports conservation and management needs for marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction.
Can subsistence harvest monitoring and sample collection be included?
Yes. Monitoring subsistence harvests and collecting harvest samples are explicitly listed as eligible project activities.
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