National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) - FY2026/27 2027 Grant

DOC-DOCNOAAERA

About this grant

The National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) provides competitive cooperative agreements to non-Federal researchers developing improved fishing practices and innovative gear technologies that benefit U.S. fishermen and fisheries, including aquaculture. It was established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1865), which requires NOAA conservation and management measures to minimize bycatch to the extent practicable. The problem addressed is fisheries bycatch, which can contribute to overfishing, population declines for threatened and endangered species, and commercial fishery closures. The program supports 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 to address the Act's requirements to minimize bycatch and habitat impacts. It aligns with the NMFS National Bycatch Reduction Strategy. This FY2026/27 opportunity (NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2027-33398) anticipates about 30 awards from an estimated $4.6 million total program funding, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $400,000. No cost sharing or matching is required. Questions should be directed to Justin Pearce at the NMFS Office of Sustainable Fisheries.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include individuals, institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and state, local, U.S. territorial, Alaska Native, and Indian tribal governments. The listed applicant types also include county, city or township, and special district governments, small businesses, and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. Federal agencies or instrumentalities are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. Applicants must be non-Federal researchers working to benefit U.S. fishermen and fisheries.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicants must be non-Federal researchers or institutions developing improved fishing gear or practices
• ✓Projects should reduce fisheries bycatch and post-release mortality and be applicable to U.S. commercial or recreational fisheries
• ✓No cost sharing or matching is required; awards range from $50,000 to $400,000; deadline 2027-01-22

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does DOC-DOCNOAAERA offer?

National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) - FY2026/27 offers $50K – $400K.

When is the National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) - FY2026/27 deadline?

Applications close 22 Jan 2027.

Who can apply for National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP) - FY2026/27?

Eligibility covers organisations in US; university, research-institution, nonprofit. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Ocean and blue economy funding covers marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, coastal resilience and ocean technology. Support comes from public research bodies, development finance and ocean-focused foundations. Calls often favour projects that involve coastal communities and that can be monitored at sea.