Today, NOAA Fisheries announced recommendations to fund 30 projects for more than $8 million under the 2020 Saltonstall-Kennedy Competitive Grants Program. The list of projects fall into two categories: 1) Promotion, Development and Marketing and Science or 2) Technology that Promotes Sustainable U.S Seafood Production and Harvesting.
For more than 40 years, NOAA has awarded grant funding for projects under the Saltonstall-Kennedy program to individuals, institutions, organizations, and businesses across the country. These funds help address the needs of fishing communities, support economic opportunities, and build and maintain resilient and sustainable fisheries.
“The goal of the Saltonstall-Kennedy program is to fund projects that address the needs of fishing communities, optimize economic benefits by building and maintaining sustainable fisheries, and increase other opportunities to keep working waterfronts viable,” said Dr. Paul Doremus, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations at NOAA Fisheries.
Demand for funding through the program was high again this year. Initially, NOAA received 312 pre-proposals. Out of that number, at least three subject matter experts reviewed 146 full proposals requesting more than $38 million during the technical merit review phase. The top proposals in each NOAA Fisheries’ region were recommended for 2020 funding.
At this point in the selection process, the application approval and recommended funding is not final. Divisions of NOAA and the Department of Commerce, NOAA’s parent agency, must still give final approval before successful applicants receive funding.
