2026 Marine Mammal Co-Management Grant Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") recognizes the unique importance of marine mammals to Alaska Native Organizations (hereinafter, "ANOs") and values ongoing efforts by Alaska Native Organizations' members to conserve and protect subsistence species under NMFS' jurisdiction. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. §1388, NMFS may provide Federal assistance to ANOs to conserve marine mammals and to promote co-management of Alaska Native subsistence use of such mammals under NMFS' jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of cooperative agreements, may be used to support conservation of marine mammals utilized for subsistence purposes by Alaska Natives. Funded activities may include development and implementation of species management, subsistence harvest monitoring, subsistence harvest sampling, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Proposed activities should address priority actions identified in an Endangered Species Act Recovery Plan or Marine Mammal Protection Act Conservation Plan where applicable and the priorities identified within this Federal funding opportunity. Proposals focusing on marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not be considered for funding under this grant program. This announcement should be read in its entirety, as some information has changed from the previous year. 

The National Marine Fisheries Service (hereinafter, "NMFS") recognizes the unique importance of marine mammals to Alaska Native Organizations (hereinafter, "ANOs") and values ongoing efforts by Alaska Native Organizations' members to conserve and protect subsistence species under NMFS' jurisdiction. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. §1388, NMFS may provide Federal assistance to ANOs to conserve marine mammals and to promote co-management of Alaska Native subsistence use of such mammals under NMFS' jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of cooperative agreements, may be used to support conservation of marine mammals utilized for subsistence purposes by Alaska Natives. Funded activities may include development and implementation of species management, subsistence harvest monitoring, subsistence harvest sampling, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Proposed activities should address priority actions identified in an Endangered Species Act Recovery Plan or Marine Mammal Protection Act Conservation Plan where applicable and the priorities identified within this Federal funding opportunity. Proposals focusing on marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not be considered for funding under this grant program. This announcement should be read in its entirety, as some information has changed from the previous year. 

Eligible applicants are limited to Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) (defined as a group designated by
law or formally chartered which represents or consists of Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos residing in Alaska)
with an established marine mammal agreement for co-management with NOAA Fisheries. All applicants
must have a signed co-management agreement in place with NOAA Fisheries at the time of application.
In a case where an ANO has authorized another entity to serve as the fiduciary agent of the organization,
a copy of the agreement between the ANO and fiduciary agent must be provided with the application.
This agreement must outline a thorough description of the relationship and responsibilities of both
parties. The ANO will be listed as the lead entity/organization on the application as reflected in the
agreement. Any ANO not holding an existing agreement for co-management with NMFS may collaborate
with and be listed on the application as a sub-recipient under an eligible applicant.