Grants to USA federal agencies, research institutions and organizations, IHEs, private corporations and organizations, state agricultural experiment stations, and individuals for research to expand the aquaculture industry. Applicants must complete required registrations prior to submitting a proposal.

The purpose of the Special Research Grants for Aquaculture Research program is to support the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the United States by generating new, science-based information and technology to address industry constraints. Applied research is needed to develop practical solutions that will facilitate growth and remove limitations to expansion of the United States aquaculture industry. Results of projects supported by this program are intended to help improve the profitability of the United States aquaculture industry, reduce the 13-billion-dollar United States seafood trade deficit, increase domestic food security, expand markets for United States-produced products, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America.

For the FY2022 Special Research Grants for Aquaculture Research program, NIFA is soliciting applied aquaculture research applications. Applications must:

1. Directly address major constraints to the United States aquaculture industry; and
2. Focus on one or more of the following Program Area Priorities:

a. Genetics of commercial aquaculture species;

b. Critical disease issues impacting commercial aquaculture species;

c. Design of environmentally and economically sustainable commercial aquaculture production systems;

d. Development of climate resilient technologies, production systems, and/or management strategies for commercial aquaculture species; or

e. Economic research for increasing commercial aquaculture profitability.

Other key information:

1. This program is limited to applied research.
2. Applications must include United States aquaculture industry involvement. This can include, but is not limited to, a United States aquaculture producer as a co-project director or partner or assembling an industry advisory committee (e.g., a farmer’s  advisory committee for the project that can include producer-based organizations, feed manufacturers, animal health industry, etc.).
3. Applications that engage and incorporate historically underserved groups including tribal organizations are especially encouraged.
4. Applicants must provide a budgeted plan to release results to the public in a timely manner. This plan must clearly state how the research results or technology developed will be transferred to end-users outside of direct, scientific peers.
5. Applicants must clearly describe how their specific research project will increase United States aquaculture production or profitability in the short or medium-term (1-5 years after the grant ends).
6. Applicants must include statistical power analyses, when appropriate, and describe the experimental design, experimental unit, replication, and sample size for each experimental group.
7. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the American Fisheries Society (AFS) document, Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (2014), when developing applications for submission to this RFA.
8. The inclusion of students actively engaged in research projects providing hands-on, experiential learning and training opportunities is strongly encouraged. Actively engaged students should be encouraged to contribute to presentations, articles, posters, and other expressions of scholarship. 

NIFA will recognize and prioritize COE applicants that carry out research, extension, and education activities that relate to the food and agricultural sciences. For more information, see https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/FY22-SRGARP-RFA-508.pdf#page=11.