Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS SE 2027 33642
The SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program is a NOAA Fisheries (DOC/NOAA) funding opportunity designed to strengthen science-based management of Atlantic bluefin tuna by filling key knowledge gaps about the species and the fisheries that depend on it. The central aim is to improve understanding of bluefin tuna abundance, biology, and fishery dynamics, with particular emphasis on how fish move and mix between the eastern and western Atlantic populations. That mixing question matters because it directly affects how stock assessments are interpreted and how conservation and harvest measures are set, especially when fish caught in one region may originate from spawning groups in another.
This opportunity is positioned as a U.S. contribution to a broader, multi-year international research effort coordinated through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). ICCAT Contracting Parties, including the United States, have established an Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Program to improve the scientific foundation used in ICCAT decision-making. Projects funded under this solicitation are expected to support that shared objective by generating data and analyses that can be used in stock assessment work and management discussions. Proposals that clearly connect to ICCAT research priorities and show active collaboration with the ICCAT Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Program or other ICCAT partners are strongly encouraged, signaling that NOAA wants funded work to integrate smoothly into ongoing international science efforts rather than operate in isolation.
Awards will be made as cooperative agreements, meaning recipients should expect substantial engagement from NOAA during the project period (for example, coordination on methods, data sharing, deliverables, or alignment with ICCAT-related timelines and needs). The opportunity falls under CFDA 11.058 and is categorized under environment, science and technology, and other research and development. The notice lists an expected total of about five awards, with an award ceiling of $300,000 per award.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based and U.S.-jurisdiction entities and individuals. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), individuals, and state, county, municipal, special district, and eligible Tribal governments and Tribal organizations. Federal agencies and federal institutions are not eligible to apply. Foreign governments, organizations under foreign government jurisdiction, and international organizations are explicitly excluded because the program is intended to maximize research and development benefits tied to U.S. marine fishery resources, even while supporting ICCAT-wide science objectives.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title (SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program), number (NOAA NMFS SE 2027 33642), and an original closing date of 2026-12-31. The opportunity is managed through NOAA (DOC/NOAA - ERA Production). Overall, it is best understood as targeted applied research funding aimed at producing internationally relevant, management-ready science on Atlantic bluefin tuna, with a strong preference for work that connects to and strengthens ICCAT’s coordinated research framework.Apply for NOAA NMFS SE 2027 33642
- The DOC NOAA - ERA Production in the environment, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.058.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-12-31. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program (NOAA) - FAQs
What is the SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program?
The SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program is a NOAA Fisheries (DOC/NOAA) funding opportunity focused on strengthening science-based management of Atlantic bluefin tuna. It is intended to fill key knowledge gaps about bluefin tuna and the fisheries that depend on the species.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central aim is to improve understanding of Atlantic bluefin tuna abundance, biology, and fishery dynamics, with particular emphasis on how fish move and mix between the eastern and western Atlantic populations. The program is designed to generate applied, management-relevant science that can be used in stock assessments and management discussions.
Why is eastern and western population mixing a major emphasis?
Understanding how bluefin tuna mix between eastern and western Atlantic populations affects how stock assessments are interpreted and how conservation and harvest measures are set. Mixing matters especially when fish caught in one region may originate from spawning groups in another.
How does this program relate to ICCAT?
This opportunity is positioned as a U.S. contribution to a broader, multi-year international research effort coordinated through the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). ICCAT Contracting Parties, including the United States, have established an Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Program to improve the scientific foundation used in ICCAT decision-making.
Are projects expected to connect to ICCAT research priorities?
Yes. Projects funded under this solicitation are expected to support the shared ICCAT objective by generating data and analyses that can be used in stock assessment work and management discussions. Proposals that clearly connect to ICCAT research priorities are strongly encouraged.
Is collaboration with ICCAT partners encouraged?
Yes. Active collaboration with the ICCAT Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Research Program or other ICCAT partners is strongly encouraged. NOAA signals a preference for funded work to integrate into ongoing international science efforts rather than operate in isolation.
What type of award will be made (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Awards will be made as cooperative agreements. This means recipients should expect substantial engagement from NOAA during the project period.
What does "substantial engagement from NOAA" mean in this context?
Because the mechanism is a cooperative agreement, NOAA may be actively involved during the project period, including coordination on methods, data sharing, deliverables, and/or alignment with ICCAT-related timelines and needs.
How many awards are expected?
The notice lists an expected total of about five awards.
What is the maximum (ceiling) amount per award?
The award ceiling is $300,000 per award.
What is the program's CFDA number and category?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 11.058 and is categorized under environment, science and technology, and other research and development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based and U.S.-jurisdiction entities and individuals. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), individuals, and state, county, municipal, special district, and eligible Tribal governments and Tribal organizations.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes. Individuals are listed among the eligible applicant types.
Are for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are listed as eligible applicants.
Do nonprofits need to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
No. Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible.
Are state, local, and Tribal governments eligible?
Yes. State, county, municipal, and special district governments are eligible, as well as eligible Tribal governments and Tribal organizations.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Federal agencies and federal institutions are not eligible to apply. Foreign governments, organizations under foreign government jurisdiction, and international organizations are explicitly excluded.
Why are foreign and international organizations excluded?
The program is intended to maximize research and development benefits tied to U.S. marine fishery resources, even while supporting ICCAT-wide science objectives.
What is the funding opportunity title and number?
The funding opportunity title is "SEFSC Bluefin Tuna Research Program" and the funding opportunity number is NOAA NMFS SE 2027 33642.
What is the closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed for this opportunity is 2026-12-31.
Which agency manages this opportunity?
The opportunity is managed through NOAA (DOC/NOAA - ERA Production), under NOAA Fisheries.
What kinds of results are projects expected to produce?
Funded projects are expected to generate data and analyses that can be used in stock assessment work and management discussions, and that support internationally relevant, management-ready science on Atlantic bluefin tuna, with a strong preference for work that strengthens ICCAT's coordinated research framework.
Is this program focused on basic research or applied research?
Based on the description, it is targeted applied research funding aimed at producing management-ready science for Atlantic bluefin tuna.
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