GrantGather

Grants / Natural resources

National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) - FY2026/27

DOC NOAA - ERA Production, Department of Commerce

Deadline
January 22, 2027
Award size
$50,000 to $400,000About 30 awards
Matching funds
Not required
Fit for small groups
Possible fit

In plain language

This grant helps pay for research and development of new fishing technologies to reduce harm to sea animals. It is meant to help organizations that work with fishermen and fisheries.

The money can pay for

  • Developing new fishing gear
  • Testing new fishing methods
  • Reducing harm to sea animals
  • Improving fishing practices

Who can apply

Individuals, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and government agencies can apply.

Is it a fit for a small group?

Possible fit. This grant is more focused on research and development, which may be harder for a small community nonprofit to handle without special expertise.

Before you apply

  • No matching funds required
  • Deadline is January 22, 2027
  • Eligible applicants include many types of organizations
  • Federal applicants need an active registration at SAM.gov and a Grants.gov account. Registration can take several weeks, so start early.

This summary was written by GrantGather with AI, based on the official listing. It can contain mistakes. Check the official listing on Grants.gov before you apply.

From the official listing

This grant program provides competitive grants to non-Federal researchers working to benefit U.S. fishermen and fisheries, including aquaculture, through the development of improved fishing practices and innovative gear technologies. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended (MSA), 16 U.S.C. 1865, requires that NOAA’s conservation and management measures minimize bycatch to the extent practicable and established the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) to support the development of technological devices and other conservation engineering changes to minimize bycatch and reduce post-release mortality of non-target species in our nation’s fisheries. Bycatch reduction is a priority for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as outlined in the NMFS National Bycatch Reduction Strategy…

Read the full description

This grant program provides competitive grants to non-Federal researchers working to benefit U.S. fishermen and fisheries, including aquaculture, through the development of improved fishing practices and innovative gear technologies. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended (MSA), 16 U.S.C. 1865, requires that NOAA’s conservation and management measures minimize bycatch to the extent practicable and established the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) to support the development of technological devices and other conservation engineering changes to minimize bycatch and reduce post-release mortality of non-target species in our nation’s fisheries. Bycatch reduction is a priority for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as outlined in the NMFS National Bycatch Reduction Strategy (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/bycatch/national-bycatchreduction-strategy). Fisheries bycatch can contribute to overfishing, population declines for threatened and endangered species, and can result in commercial fishery closures. This Program seeks to support the development and testing of fishing gears and approaches that can be applied in commercial and recreational fisheries to reduce bycatch and post-release mortality and address the MSA requirements to minimize bycatch and habitat impacts.

Opportunity number
NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2027-33398
Posted
August 24, 2026
Total funding
$4.6 million
Eligible applicants
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Special district governments
County governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Others (see eligibility details)
Private institutions of higher education
State governments
City or township governments
Small businesses
Individuals
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
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Eligibility details
Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and state, local, U.S. territorial, Alaska Native, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or instrumentalities are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. If an eligible applicant has questions regarding this funding opportunity, they should contact: Justin Pearce Office of Sustainable Fisheries 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-427-8521 NMFS.HQ.BREP@noaa.gov
Assistance listing
11.452 Unallied Industry Projects
Agency contact
Keisha Trent Grantor
NMFS.HQ.BREP@noaa.gov
3016281449
Open the official listing on Grants.gov