Courtesy of NAA:

This notice identifies the objectives for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative R&D between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions.

Different from most other investors, the USDA SBIR/STTR Programs fund early or “seed” stage research and development that has a commercial potential. The programs provide equity-free funding and entrepreneurial support at the earliest stages of company and technology development.
Key differences between USDA’s SBIR and STTR programs include the percentage of research conducted by the nonprofit research institutions (e.g., Universities, Federal Laboratories) that requires a formal cooperative agreement detailing the allocation of intellectual property rights to carry out follow-on research, development, or commercialization activities for STTR applicants and the primary employment of the project’s principal investigator.

This request for applications is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2023. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for these programs and may delay the start date of Phase I grants.

Aquaculture – Topic Area 8.7
The Aquaculture topic area funds research projects with the overall goal of leading to improved production efficiency and increased competitiveness of private sector, commercial aquaculture in the United States. This topic area aims to develop new technologies that will enhance the knowledge and technology base necessary for the expansion of the domestic aquaculture industry. Seafood production from the wild is under increased pressure due to overfishing, and therefore aquaculture is increasingly an important source of farmed seafood and an important contributor to food security. Studies on commercially important species of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants from both freshwater and marine environments are included. In this context, new technologies are needed to improve production efficiency, protect aquaculture species against disease, and ensure the quality of farmed seafood.

Aquaculture Key Information
Application Deadline: FY 2023, 5 P.M. Eastern, October 6, 2022
Grant Duration: 8 Months SBIR, 12 Months STTR
Anticipated Number of Awards: 6 Maximum
Award Amount: $175,000 or $181,500 with TABA

Research Priorities:
To address identified needs or constraints that limit U.S. aquaculture, the following are provided as examples of appropriate subtopics for research applications from small businesses, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Reproductive Efficiency Novel or innovative approaches to improve reproductive efficiency in aquaculture species including greater control of maturation, ovulation and fertilization; improved gamete and embryo storage; improved larval rearing techniques; enhanced reproductive performance of broodstock; improved methods for cryopreservation of sperm and embryos; and methods to control sex determination.
2. Genetic Improvement Novel or innovative approaches to improve production efficiency through genetic improvement of aquaculture species including: genetic mechanisms of sex determination; genetic basis for inheritance of commercially important traits, such as growth, temperature tolerance, and disease susceptibility; identification of major genes affecting performance; application of molecular biology and genomics and the integration of this technology into breeding programs; and performance evaluation of aquaculture species and utilization of crossbreeding and hybridization.
3. Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management Novel or innovative approaches to reducing losses due to aquatic animal health in aquaculture production systems, including: physiological stress related to the aquatic production system environment; genetic, environmental, and nutritional components of aquatic health management; control of predation in aquaculture production systems; development of new vaccines or immunization procedures to enhance resistance to infectious diseases and parasites; development of diagnostic tests for specific diseases that pose a health hazard; and development of improved treatment methods for acute or chronic health problems caused by specific infectious or non-infectious agents, parasites, injuries and chemical and toxic agents.
4. Improved Production Systems and Management Strategies for efficiency and Reduced Environmental Impacts Novel or innovative approaches to improve existing or alternative production system design and management strategies including development of biological, engineering and systems through aeration, flow patterns, etc.; characterization, handling and treatment of effluent from aquaculture production systems; improved harvesting methods and strategies; and improved operating efficiencies for recirculation systems.
5. Algal Production Systems Novel or innovative approaches to improve the efficiency of algal production and feedstock logistics including identification of new (or improved) species with improved nutritional profile for use in aquaculture feed, human food, or food supplements; development of improved bioreactor technology; and development of new methods for harvesting algal biomass. Other

Other Key Information

1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the NPL regarding the suitability of research topics.
2. For aquaponics, unless the focus is on developing significant technological improvements, proposals that deal with applying current aquaponics technology should be submitted to 8.12 Small and Mid-Size Farms.
3. Applications that deal with the development of new food products derived from aquaculture species should be submitted under topic area 8.5 Food Science and Nutrition.
4. Applications that deal with biomass conversion or development of new products from algae should be submitted to the 8.8 Biofuels and Biobased Products topic area.

Additional grant opportunities for aquaculture are embedded in other Topic Areas.  For additional information or to apply, click here.

Contact Dr. Timothy Sullivan, National Program Leader for Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Research – Aquaculture, at Timothy.Sullivan@usda.gov or (816) 527-5434 regarding questions about the suitability of research topics or to arrange a telephone consultation.