Sea Grant and NOAA Fisheries partner to invest $1 million to advance understanding of fishing community interactions with offshore wind development


A graphic with a map of the Northeast US and icons for renewable energy and fishing communities, with the text, Fisheries and Offshore Wind - Advancing Actionable Social Science Research in the Northeast

JANUARY 10, 2024 — 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 U.S.

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 U.S. 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. 

>>Read the Full Announcement (Northeast Sea Grant website)

>>View the RFP