About funders

Profiles of funding organizations

Northeast Consortium

The Northeast Consortium was created to encourage and fund effective, co-equal partnerships among commercial fishermen, researchers, and other stakeholders to become active participants in cooperative research and development of selective fishing gear technology. As part of this effort, commercial fishing vessels will be equipped and utilized as research platforms. Commercial fishermen and commercial fishing vessels from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts are particularly encouraged to participate in cooperative research using these funds; the expected focus of the activities includes the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.

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•	NEC Research Priorities

Saltonstall Kennedy Grant Program

The S-K Grant Program is a competitive program administered by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. The program provides financial assistance (grants or cooperative agreements) for research and development projects to benefit the U.S. fishing industry. Projects that primarily involve business start-up or infrastructure development are not eligible for funding under the S-K Program. The program's statutory authority is the S-K Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 713c-3).

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National Marine Fisheries Service New England Fishery Management Council
The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) established a Research Steering Committee (RSC) in 1999 to better integrate management information needs with research efforts and to foster the participation of fishermen in collaborative fisheries science. In January 2001, the NEFMC approved three long-term programs --- an industry-based survey/ study fleet capability, a comprehensive tagging program to study cod stock structure, and conservation engineering (gear design to effect impacts on bycatch and habitat) --- as its highest priority research areas for groundfish and related fisheries. Implementation of each of these programs is being considered as part of an overarching regional research strategy involving fishermen, and local, state and federal science institutions. Funding is administered through the Cooperative Research Partners Initiative under the Northeast Regional office of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
•	NEFMC Research Priorities

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
CEI is a private, non-profit Community Development Corporation (CDC) that offers financing and business assistance and promotes research and development in key sectors of Maine's economy. Our Fisheries Project goal is to promote the sustainable development of Maine's marine resources and to ensure that the maximum economic and social benefits derived from their use are returned to Maine's coastal communities. To attain this goal, CEI has three fisheries-specific loan funds- The Fisheries Revolving Loan Fund, The Maine Shellfish Growers Revolving Loan Fund, and The Working Waterfront Loan Fund. To date we have lent over $8.7 million to harvesters, shore-side suppliers, processors, wholesale, infrastructure, retail, and new marine related sectors (aquaculture). As a part of a fisheries loan agreement, CEI has developed a model "Fishtag." What the Fishtag means is that when you agree to a loan with CEI you also agree to collect biological data and contribute the information you collect to a management agency or research effort. CEI will help to link you with a research effort in order to come up with a project together if you wish. Consider CEI a resource for upgrading boats or making them research-ready in order to further pursue these kinds of collaborative research opportunities.
•	For more information on the Maine Fisheries Project, click here.

National Sea Grant Program
The National Sea Grant Program encourages the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer. Sea Grant is a partnership between the nation's universities and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that began in 1966, when the U.S. Congress passed the National Sea Grant College Program Act.
•	Current funding opportunities - FY 2003/2004

Maine Sea Grant Program
Operating under the guidelines of, and in partnership with, the National Sea Grant Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the mission of Maine Sea Grant is to play a leadership role in marine science and education and to promote their use for the development, management, and stewardship of marine and coastal resources.
•	For more information on Maine Sea Grant, click here
•	Maine Sea Grant Research Priorities

New Hampshire Sea Grant Program
NH Sea Grant provides support, leadership, and expertise for marine research, education, and extension. A component of the National Sea Grant College Program, it is one of a network of 30 programs promoting the understanding, development, wise use, and conservation of our ocean and coastal resources.
•	Current funding opportunities - FY 2003

MIT Sea Grant Program
Through a combination of research, education, and outreach, MIT Sea Grant works to promote a sustainable environment and economy, and a fuller understanding of these critical resources. MIT Sea Grant is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 30 individual programs located in each of the coastal and Great Lakes states. Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Sea Grant encourages cooperation among government, academia, and industry. MIT Sea Grant funds innovative research, outreach and education projects in a wide range of areas. Most grants run for one to two years. Current research theme areas include marine biotechnology, coastal management and utilization, technology development, non-indigenous species, and coupled ocean observation and modeling.
•	Current funding opportunities - FY 2003

NOAA's Community-Based Restoration Program
The Community-Based Restoration Program's objective is to bring together citizen groups, public and nonprofit organizations, industry, corporations and businesses, youth conservation corps, students, landowners, and local government, state and Federal agencies to restore fishery habitat across Coastal America.  The program partners with national and regional organizations to solicit and co-fund proposals for locally-driven, grass roots restoration projects that address important habitat issues within communities. The program works with community organizations to support locally-driven habitat restoration projects in marine, estuarine and riparian areas since 1996. NOAA-funded projects provide strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that offer educational and social benefits for people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological benefits for fishery resources.
•	For more information on NOAA's Community-Based Restoration Program, click here