eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants 2024 RFP FAQs

NAAEE is interested in forging lasting partnerships between environmental education providers, aquaculture industry experts, and NOAA to achieve greater impacts at several levels.

The 2024 Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants competition is now open. This competition aims to support such partnerships by funding the development of aquaculture education programs that are responsive to the following goals of the Community of Practice for Aquaculture Literacy:

• Bringing aquaculture education programming to institutions and/or target audiences currently lacking resources;
• Building the capacity of environmental education providers to offer high quality programming in informal and formal settings by matching aquaculture communication needs with existing research; and
• Developing creative approaches for public engagement that promote a culture that values innovation, exploration, and community-relevant learning as a context for improving public aquaculture literacy.

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are meant to supplement the Request for Proposals. Please read the entire Request for Proposals for all requirements and information on submission of an application.

The deadline to submit proposals to NAAEE’s Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants competition is 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024. Review of proposals will occur from March through May, 2024. It is anticipated that recommendations for funding under this Request for Proposals will be made by early summer 2024. Projects funded under this Request for Proposals will start and be announced June 1st 2024.

An informational webinar was held on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 from 2–3pm (EST). This webinar was recorded, and is available to watch on YouTube. Watch recording >

If you have any other questions not in this list of FAQs nor answered in the Request for Proposals, please email eeBLUE@naaee.org.

Q: Are there any models for the budget-related elements of the application?
A: Yes; a model for the budget table is available here.

Q: Are there any checklists to help me ensure I submit a complete application?
A: Yes, a checklist for completing an application is available here. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

Q: How do I submit my application?
A: The Lead Principal Investigator (PI) on the proposed project should submit their application as a PDF file to eeBLUE@naaee.org. Please include your project title as the subject line of the email. Formatting guidance can be found here [link to project description template]. For information about merging multiple PDF documents, you can review this website.

Q: What types of project activities are allowed?
A: NAAEE will consider funding a wide range of project types, but all projects must support innovative approaches to aquaculture and related environmental topics. Project applications must identify a target audience(s) within a community, and explain how the creation of proposed resources will benefit that community. Projects should create opportunities that build the collective aquaculture literacy necessary for communities to become more understanding of the aquaculture sector, and more comfortable discussing related environmental topics. Projects that build sufficient aquaculture literacy within a community will aid community members in developing their knowledge, skills, and confidence to: (1) reason about the ways that aquaculture connects to human and natural systems, both globally and where they live: (2) participate in scientific and/or civic processes that help them understand aquaculture topics and (3) consider scientific uncertainty, cultural knowledge, and diverse community values in aquaculture-related decision making.

Q: How can I learn more about state aquaculture activities and programs?
Contact NOAA’s Regional Aquaculture Coordinators (RACs) or your local Sea Grant Program. If you are having trouble connecting with RACs or Sea Grant, please contact our team at eeBLUE@naaee.org.

Q: Do projects need to focus on a single community and a single aquaculture topic within that community?
A: No. Projects may focus on a single aquaculture related topic or a range of topics that may be relevant to the community or communities. Therefore, a project may focus on any of the following:

• A single community and a aquaculture topic or environmental topic associated with that community’s location;
• A single community and a range of aquaculture topics associated with that community’s location;
• Multiple communities and a single aquaculture topic associated with the locations of those communities; or
• Multiple communities and a range of aquaculture topics associated with the locations of those communities.

Q: Is it required that my project reach groups from underserved communities?
A: No. However, there is an interest in projects that specifically engage highly vulnerable members of the community the project serves. Underserved members of a community, such as minority, low income, homeless, persons with disabilities, and rural, tribal, and indigenous populations, often have fewer resources to prepare aquaculture messaging, learning opportunities, and educational materials.

Q: Is it required that my project reach children and youth?
A: No. However, engaging youth in community conversations about aquaculture and other environmental topics can benefit the planning process. Children strengthen efforts that involve them since they are positive influencers, can become leaders, and are more confident discussing sustainable aquaculture decisions (i.e. becoming consumers) when they feel prepared for it. We expect projects involving children and youth to address their need for improved scientific skills and provide opportunities for them to engage in the process of building collective knowledge about aquaculture.

Q: What is the goal of this Request for Proposals?
A: The goal of this Request for Proposals is to build working partnerships that enhance public aquaculture literacy so that the target audiences become more knowledgeable of the ways in which aquaculture relates to their community, and can become involved in discussions about sustainable aquaculture.

Q: At what scale should projects be implemented?
A: Projects will likely be implemented on the local level (e.g., county, city, or township), but projects may be implemented in more than one locality. Projects should clearly identify and describe the geographic location(s), the aquaculture topic(s) that will be the focus of the project, the target audience(s), and how groups living in those location(s) may be in need of support to develop such knowledge.

Projects can occur anywhere within the United States and U.S. territories. However, projects must be implemented only within the United States and its territories – which include Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It does not include Freely Associated States – the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of Palau.

Q: Must my project focus on or include impacts that occur in coastal communities?
A: No, this Request for Proposals does not have a focus on coastal communities. Projects can choose to focus on coastal communities, but it is NOT a requirement.

Q: How do I access the application?
A: The application is now available on the NAAEE website on the eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants Program page.

Q: I am having technical problems submitting my application. What should I do?
A: Please email eeBLUE@naaee.org for further help submitting your proposal.

Q: When are the applications due?
A: The deadline for proposals is 11:59 pm EST on March 19th, 2024. After this deadline passes, we will no longer accept proposals. We will only accept proposals submitted to eeBLUE@naaee.org. (Please note: staff will only be available to answer questions Monday through Friday until 5:00 PM Eastern Time.)

Q: Are original ("wet") signatures required on any part of the application?
A: No, wet signatures are not required on any part of the application. Certified digital signatures are required.

Q: May I submit an application by mail, email, or fax?
A: We will only accept proposals submitted through eeBLUE@naaee.org. We will not accept proposals submitted through mail or fax.

Q: What if my internet connection is unavailable at the submission deadline?
A: Please avoid this problem by submitting early. If you choose not to submit until the last minute, you do so at your own risk.

Q: Can I request an extension of time to submit an application?
A: No.

Q: I submitted my application to eeBLUE@naaee.org, but later discovered a mistake or missing element in my application. What should I do?
A: As long as the problem was discovered before the posted proposal deadline, you may re-submit the corrected proposal to eeBLUE@naaee.org. Please notify the Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants team by including in the subject line [CORRECTION!]. Once the proposal deadline has passed, submitted proposals may not be corrected or updated.

Q: What types of applicants are allowed to apply to this Request for Proposals?
A: Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education; K–12 public and independent schools and school systems, other nonprofits, including community-based organizations and informal education institutions such as museums, zoos, and aquariums; state and local government agencies; for-profit aquaculture organizations and operations; and Indian tribal governments in the United States. Federal agencies, foreign institutions, and individuals are not eligible to apply; however, federal agencies, foreign institutions, and individuals may participate with an eligible applicant as a project partner.
 
Q: Who may serve as a PI or a co-PI?
A: Principal Investigators (PIs) are required to be employees of the organization submitting an application. Principal Investigators (or Project Directors) should have a vested interest in the outcome of the project, are typically subject matter experts in the field being studied/addressed, and must have financial and programmatic control of the project on behalf of the applying organization. Because consultants or contractors of an organization do not typically have this level of authority, they cannot serve as PIs. Also, federal employees cannot serve as PIs or co-PIs for this Request for Proposals. Additionally, many applicant organizations have restrictions about who can serve as co-PIs. PIs should check with their applying organization to inquire about possible restrictions.

Q: How do I know who counts as an informal learning institution, NOAA, and aquaculture industry partner?

A: Please reference the examples under the categories—NOAA, Industry, and Informal Learning Institutions—to help you determine eligible partnerships:

NOAA*

• Line Offices, HQ
• Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Programs
• Sea Grant Programs**
• National Estuarine Research Reserves
• Regional Fisheries Science CEnters
• Scholars and Fellows

*Federal employees can not receive direct funding for these projects.
**In addition to a letter of commitment, Sea Grant partners must submit a statement/indication of support from their Program Director.

Industry

• Shellfish, Seaweed, and Finfish Growers/Farmers
• Grower Associations
• Hatcheries and Hatchery Staff (including state run)
• Aquaculture Organizations, such as Minorities in Aquaculture
• Tribal Associations and Organizations
• Chefs and sustainable seafood restaurateurs

Informal Learning Institutions

• CELC Member Institutions
• An informal learning institution that is engaging the public on coastal and marine issues*

*Including Tribal Organizations and Centers

Q: May a federal employee serve as a PI or co-PI?
A: Federal employees may not serve as PIs or co-PIs on any application; however, they may be included as key personnel or project partners.

Q: May NOAA personnel (both federal employees and contractors) serve as co-PIs?
A: No, NOAA federal employees cannot serve as co-PIs, but should be listed as project partners.

Q: Are individuals unaffiliated with an organization allowed to apply?
A: No, individuals are not eligible to apply; only organizations may submit proposals.

Q: May foreign (non-US) institutions apply?
A: No, foreign institutions are not allowed to apply to this Request for Proposals. However, they may serve as project partners.

Q: May graduate students serve as PIs for this Request for Proposals?
A: No; however, they may serve as co-PIs or key personnel.

Q: How many applications can a PI or organization submit to this Request for Proposals?
A:  It is strongly encouraged that an individual serve as a PI on only one application submitted to this Request for Proposals. Organizations may submit more than one application and individuals can serve as Co-PIs or key personnel on more than one application.

A given project idea may only be submitted once. In the event a project is submitted multiple times, NAAEE will contact the applying organization(s) to ask them which application should be withdrawn.

Q: Would the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) or Sea Grant Programs be considered eligible applicants?
A: NERRs and Sea Grant Programs are eligible applicants, and can also serve as a NOAA partner.

Q: Can federal agencies apply for funds?
A: Federal agencies cannot apply for funds.

Q: Are there any templates for applications?
A: Yes, there are suggested templates for the title page, project description, and models for the budget table. Although use of these templates is optional, we recommend you use them to ensure that the information is provided in a manner that facilitates processing of your proposal. These templates are posted on our eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants program page.

Q: Where should I upload the required application elements?
A: Please see the "Application Elements Checklist" found on our eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants program page. This document provides information about how to bundle the required application elements and email them to eeBLUE@naaee.org.

Q: Will you enforce the page limits on applications?
A: Yes. There are page limits for the project description (5 pages maximum), resumes (2 pages maximum per resume) and project milestones (2 pages maximum). The page limit on the project description is inclusive of figures and other visual materials.

Q: Does the list of references cited in the application count against the 5-page limit on the project description?
A: No. References, budget information, resumes, current and pending support, and letters of commitment are separate components of the application and are not included in the 5-page project description limit.

Q: What elements are required as part of the application?
A: A checklist of all required elements for an application is available on our eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants program page.

Q: I do not have any current or pending support to report. Do I still need to include this required element of the application?
A: Match or cost-sharing is not required for this project, and will not be taken into consideration as part of the review.

Q: Can I submit letters of commitment as part of my application? If so, how?
A: Yes, letters of commitment are required as part of the application and should be no longer than one page each. They will not count against the 5-page project description limit. For instructions on how to submit the letters, please see the Application Checklist of Required Elements on our eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants program page.

Q: Can additional letters of commitment be submitted after the application deadline?
A: No. All letters must be included as part of the original application submitted to eeBLUE@naaee.org by the application deadline.

Q: May I submit appendices to the project description with additional information on the proposed project activities?
A: No, you may not submit any appendices beyond the required application elements listed in the Request for Proposals. Any non-requested elements submitted as part of an application will be removed from the application prior to review.

Q: Can a project have an impact in a foreign country?
A: No, projects must be implemented only within the U.S. However, foreign institutions or U.S. institutions located outside of the U.S. are able to serve as project partners.

Q: If my project involves collecting data of any sort, am I required to have a data management plan?
A: If the data your project is collecting are meant for educational use and not meant for research purposes, they are not considered 'environmental data' in this context. Therefore, the data do not need to be made publicly available, so you do not need a data sharing plan. You can state this in the "Project Activities" section of your application so that reviewers are aware you considered it. Please contact eeBLUE@naaee.org if you are collecting data for research and need further guidance.

Q: What is the total amount of funding for which I may apply?
A: The total amount requested for each project must be no more than $20,000 for the duration of the project, including direct and indirect costs.

Funding requested should be appropriate for the number of sites and/or audiences to be served with the proposed project model, and applicants should provide a justification for the scale of project implementation in their applications.

Q: Should I include matching funds in my total funding request?
A: Matching funds are not required nor will the proposed project be evaluated on that basis. If matching funds are included voluntarily, the applicant will be required to provide that match as part of the terms of their award.

Q: Can I use funds for salaries, overhead, etc.? Is there anything I cannot use funds for?                
A: Applicants will be asked to submit a budget that clearly identifies how funds will be spent and specify support needed for travel, supplies, etc. Overhead/indirect costs may be charged as long as the applicant organization can provide an official written organizational policy regarding the overhead rate used. NAAEE considers overhead to include administrative fees of a sponsoring organization, or line items such as rent, utilities, insurance, etc. Also, salary/personnel/fringe support may not constitute 100% of your funding request. All funds allocated to the project must be considered allowable according to the Code of Federal Regulations Cost Principles.

Q: What categories should be included in the budget table?
A: Categories should match those in the budget table template linked on the eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants program page.

Q: Is there a cap on the amount I can allot for any particular budget category?
A: As long as the costs are justified in the project description, there is no cap on any budget category.

Q: May equipment be included in the budget?
A: Yes. Equipment that is necessary to carry out the proposed project may be requested and should be justified in the budget table and project description.

Q: Can funding be allocated to our federal partners on the proposed project?
A: No. You are not allowed to request funding for any federal partner. Federal employees should do all work associated with the proposed project in kind.

Q: Are subawards allowed?
A: Yes. All mini-grant recipients and sub awardees will be required to provide spending reports.

Q: Is there guidance on how funding should be distributed across partners?
A: As long as distribution of funds is justified in the project description, there is no requirement to how they are spread across partners. However, funds from this Request for Proposals are meant to support capacity building for informal learning institutions and aquaculture industry partners to enhance public aquaculture literacy. This will be considered during review.

Q: If my project is chosen, how will funds be distributed?
NAAEE will provide grantees with a template and instructions for grantee invoicing. Grantees will submit invoices for reimbursement on a quarterly basis, with the option of submitting monthly.

Q: What types of project partners would make an application more competitive?
A: Partnerships with NOAA, informal learning center (i.e. aquariums), and aquaculture industry entities are required on all proposed projects. Projects are meant to develop meaningful partnerships. Also, partnerships with individuals and institutions that are involved in efforts to develop or implement aquaculture materials are encouraged. If the lead organization applying does not possess experience working with the issue of aquaculture, a partner will be needed to provide that expertise. The capabilities and appropriateness of the proposed partnerships will be evaluated by reviewers. The application should clearly articulate the role of each partner and how the partnership will contribute to the success of the project activities. All project partnerships must be supported by letters of commitment. For examples of partnerships from the first cohort of aquaculture literacy mini-grantees, visit this web page.

Q: What NOAA entities are available for partnership?
A: Applicants are encouraged to reach out to their NOAA Fisheries Regional Aquaculture Coordinators as potential partners, or for other aquaculture contacts in their area. NOAA entities include, but are not limited to, programs, offices, and organizations such as the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Fisheries Offices, NOAA Office of Aquaculture, National Ocean Service, NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, National Coastal Zone Management Program, National Marine Sanctuary Program, National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices, NOAA Cooperative Institutes, NOAA’s Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments teams, and Regional Associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing System. Websites and contact information for many of these entities can be found on our NOAA Assets for Education Grants page. For examples of NOAA partners involved in the first cohort of aquaculture literacy mini-grantees, visit this summary of previously funded projects.

Q: Where can I find more information on NAAEE and NOAA assets that might be used in my project?
A: Applicants can find assets on the NAAEE resources page. A list of NOAA assets can be found on our NOAA Assets for Education Grants page. We also encourage applicants to review the NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture’s Outreach and Educational Materials page for aquaculture education-related assets and contacts.

Q: Who should letters of commitment come from?
A: Each project partner must submit a letter of commitment. In the case of the NOAA partner being a contractor to NOAA, the letter should come from the person whose expertise is most appropriate for supporting the project. Sea Grant applicants must include a statement/indication of support from their Program Director. Contractors must also include a signed statement of support from their direct supervisors.

Q: Are there examples of past projects from the first cohort of aquaculture literacy mini-grantees?
A: Yes, you can learn more about past projects by visiting this web page.