Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting proposals for the Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge, aimed at developing innovative and cost-effective technologies for detecting harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins in seafood. The initiative seeks to enhance seafood safety, food security, and the economic competitiveness of the U.S. seafood industry, with projects expected to last between one to three years and annual budgets ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, not exceeding a total of $750,000 per project. Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education, non-profits, state and local governments, tribal entities, U.S. Territories, U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands institutions, and for-profit organizations, with a letter of intent due by April 14, 2026, and full applications by May 14, 2026. For further information, interested parties can contact Sarah Pease at sarah.pease@noaa.gov.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for Federal financial assistance in this competition are U.S. institutions of higher education, non-profits, state and local governments, tribal government entities, U.S. Territories, U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands institutions, and for-profit organizations. Federal applicants (including NOAA) are eligible provided legal authority exists for the Federal applicant to receive funds from another agency. --- Please note that: 1. PIs must be employees of an eligible entity listed above; and applications must be submitted through that entity. Non-Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements for application submission. --- 2. Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University CIs will be funded through cooperative agreements. --- 3. Foreign researchers must apply as subawards or contracts through an eligible U.S. entity. --- 4. Federal applicants are eligible to submit applications for intra- or inter-agency funds transfers through this competition. Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal authority to accept funds for this type of research. --- 5. An eligible U.S. entity may propose Federal agency researchers as funded or unfunded collaborators. If Federal agency researchers are proposed as funded collaborators, the applicant should present the collaborator's funding request in the application in the same way documentation is provided for a subrecipient for purposes of project evaluation, even though intra- or inter-agency funding transfers will generally be used if the project is selected. --- 6. NOAA NCCOS researchers may apply through an eligible U.S. entity as funded or unfunded collaborators, but cannot be the lead PI on the application. Federal employees, including NOAA, with the exception of NCCOS employees, may serve as lead PI on the application. NOAA Federal salaries will not be paid. ---