Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program | NOAA NMFS AK 2023 2007767

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2023 2007767

The Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program is a competitive federal funding opportunity offered through the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). For fiscal year 2023, the program is aimed at supporting practical, education-focused projects that strengthen marine resource knowledge and build workforce skills across Alaska and the broader region. The core purpose is twofold: first, to improve education and training related to marine resource issues, and second, to expand scientific education and career preparation for marine-related professions, especially for people who live in coastal communities where ocean and fisheries issues directly affect livelihoods and local economies.

This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant competition under Funding Opportunity Number NOAA NMFS AK 2023 2007767, with assistance tied to CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 11.452. NOAA plans to make roughly six awards, with an award ceiling of up to $50,000 per project. Funding is provided through either a grant or a cooperative agreement, meaning projects may be supported in a standard grant structure or in a format where NOAA expects more active involvement during the project period (for example, technical input, coordination, or collaboration consistent with federal cooperative agreement practices).

The program is designed to be widely accessible across sectors, reflecting the fact that marine education and workforce training often succeed through partnerships among schools, local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); individuals; for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); and small businesses. This broad eligibility allows both community-rooted organizations and specialized training providers to apply, and it also leaves room for projects that connect formal education systems with hands-on training and real-world marine and fisheries needs.

The activity focus areas align with education, environment, and natural resources. In practical terms, that generally means projects should be centered on instruction, outreach, curriculum development, workshops, field training, or other structured learning experiences that help participants better understand marine resource challenges and opportunities. The emphasis on coastal community residents and marine-related professions suggests that NMFS is interested in efforts that do more than general awareness raising. Competitive projects are likely to demonstrate clear training outcomes, build relevant scientific or technical skills, and help people move toward jobs or roles connected to fisheries, marine science, marine stewardship, or related maritime industries.

Key dates for this competition show the opportunity was created on February 10, 2023, with an original closing date of April 22, 2023. Applicants would typically be expected to propose a project that is realistic in scope for a mini-grant level budget, with a clear plan for delivering education or training, identifying the intended audience, and explaining how the work will improve understanding of marine resource issues or increase access to scientific education for marine career pathways.

• The Department of Commerce in the education, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.452.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 10, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 22, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2023 2007767

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