Funding supports research on fishing community, offshore wind

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, announces a research funding opportunity to improve understanding of fishing community interactions with offshore wind development in the Northeast. Connecticut Sea Grant is one of seven programs in the Northeast Consortium.

This funding partnership builds on successes from research funding awarded in 2022. The current opportunity will continue to advance a regional approach and seeks to enhance existing and catalyze new human dimensions research relevant to the priorities outlined in the request for proposals.

The funding opportunity focuses on advancing social, cultural, historical, and economic research to inform communities, developers, and other decision-makers. Proposals that utilize qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches from across the social sciences and humanities are encouraged. Approximately $1 million will be available to support projects in three topical research areas:

Offshore Wind Development Planning and Engagement
Understanding Fisheries and Offshore Wind Development Interactions
Monitoring of Offshore Wind Development and Fisheries Interactions

As the United States begins to deploy renewable energy technologies in the region – from New York Bight through the Gulf of Maine – the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center seek collaborative, multidisciplinary, and innovative proposals with results that bridge research, fishing community, and management needs.

The funding competition is accepting letters of intent to submit proposals from eligible researchers for projects located in the Northeast through February 15, 2024, with full proposals due April 1, 2024. An informational webinar will be held January 24, 2024.

PARTNERS

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium consists of the Connecticut, Maine, MIT, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and WHOI Sea Grant programs. The National Sea Grant College Program’s mission is to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine and Great Lakes resources in order to create a sustainable economy and environment.

NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center works with the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office to ensure informed management decisions based on sound science, promoting sustainability of marine life, supporting fisheries and coastal communities, and generating economic opportunities and benefits from the use of these resources.

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