Fisheries Innovation Fund
NFWF's Fisheries Innovation Fund supports research and projects advancing sustainable fisheries through gear innovation, electronic monitoring, and community engagement to reduce bycatch and promote conservation.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2026 (New England Gear Innovation Fund full proposal) | September 2026 (Electronic Monitoring & Reporting full proposal) | May 2027 (New England Gear Innovation Fund pre-proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $18M total for New England Gear Innovation Fund (typical awards: $250,000–$2,000,000, up to 3 years); EMR awards: $200,000–$500,000 (no strict limits, up to 2 years).
Summary: Supports innovative, sustainable fisheries practices in the U.S. through targeted grants for gear innovation, electronic monitoring, and community capacity building.
Key Information: All deadlines are projected; check program pages for updates before applying.
Description
The Fisheries Innovation Fund, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is a national program supporting the development and implementation of sustainable fisheries practices in the United States. Through its major programs—including the New England Gear Innovation Fund and the Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EMR) Grant Program—the Fund advances projects that foster innovation in fishing gear, data collection technologies, and community engagement to reduce bycatch, promote conservation, and strengthen fishing communities. Funding partners include NOAA, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Kingfisher Foundation.
