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

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Cooperative agreement from the DOC NOAA - ERA Production, open to small businesses. Closes Jan 22, 2027, 94 days left.

Opportunity number	NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2027-33398
Agency	DOC NOAA - ERA Production
Funding type	Cooperative agreement
Field	Natural resources, Science, technology and other research and development
Award ceiling	$400,000
Award floor	$50,000
Expected number of awards	30
Total program funding	$4.6 million
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	11.452
Posted	Aug 24, 2026
Closes	Jan 22, 2027 (94 days left)
Add the deadline to	Google Calendar

Who can apply

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 with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Individuals
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses
Others (see the eligibility notes)

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 [email protected]

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 (fisheries.noaa.gov/national/byc...).

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.

Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov

Natural resources grants right now

There are 7 open federal grants in natural resources that small businesses may apply for; 1 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $400,000; this grant offers up to $400,000. The agencies offering the most are DOC NOAA - ERA Production, Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Grants in this field stay open a median of 204 days; this one is open for 151 days.

Who has won this program before

University Of Hawaii $729,977 · from Oct 1, 2020
Float Partners LLC $373,745 · from Oct 1, 2023
Salty Lady Seafood LLC $50,000 · from Mar 1, 2025
University Of Alaska Anchorage $28,808 · from Mar 1, 2025

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 11.452 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.