2022 BREP | NOAA NMFS FHQ 2022 2007151

2022 BREP (National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program) FAQs

1) What is the 2022 BREP grant opportunity?

The 2022 BREP (National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). It supports practical, engineering-focused projects designed to reduce bycatch in U.S. fisheries.

2) What is the main goal of BREP?

The central purpose is to fund real-world, applied solutions that reduce bycatch and fishing impacts on non-target species and sensitive marine resources, in ways that can be used in fishing operations and that can inform or support federal management of living marine resources.

3) What does BREP mean by "bycatch"?

In this program, bycatch includes both unwanted or non-target fish and protected species. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes Endangered Species Act-listed fish, as well as marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles.

4) Does BREP only focus on fish bycatch?

No. In addition to non-target fish and protected species, BREP also targets reducing fishing impacts on sensitive invertebrates and habitats, including sponges, deep-sea corals, and shallow tropical corals.

5) What kinds of projects is BREP especially interested in funding?

The program is especially interested in projects that develop or test technological modifications and operational changes in fishing practices that measurably prevent or reduce incidental capture, contact, injury, or death of non-target organisms.

6) What are examples of activities that fit the program's interests?

Examples described in the opportunity include gear innovations and gear modifications, deterrents or exclusion devices, improvements in handling and release practices, and other operational changes that can be adopted by fishermen and fleets.

7) Does BREP support work on post-release mortality and injury?

Yes. BREP allows and encourages projects that quantify post-release mortality and injury, because releasing animals only delivers conservation benefit if they survive after release.

8) If my project focuses on improving survival after release, can it fit BREP?

Yes, as long as the outcomes are directly relevant to management needs for federally managed species and fisheries. Proposals that identify methods to minimize post-release harm, improve survival, or reduce injury are consistent with BREP's goals when tied to those management needs.

9) Is BREP more focused on theory or field-ready solutions?

BREP is geared toward practical solutions that can be applied in real-world fishing operations, rather than purely theoretical work.

10) How much funding was available for FY 2022?

For Fiscal Year 2022, NMFS anticipated making roughly $2.5 million available in total through this opportunity.

11) How many awards were expected to be made?

The program expected to fund about 10 to 15 projects.

12) What was the maximum award amount per project?

The award ceiling was $250,000 per project.

13) What type of award instrument was used?

Funding was provided through a cooperative agreement.

14) What does it mean that BREP awards are cooperative agreements?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates NOAA/NMFS expects substantial involvement during the project period (for example, collaboration on technical direction, data considerations, or coordination with management priorities), rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.

15) Do projects need to align with specific program priorities?

Yes. The research focus areas were tied to specific program priorities referenced in the opportunity announcement (Program Priority Section I.B.1 through I.B.5). Applicants were expected to align their projects with those stated priority needs for bycatch reduction research and engineering.

16) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included: state, county, and local governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; individuals; and other applicants as further clarified in the notice.

17) Why is eligibility so broad for this program?

The opportunity reflects the applied nature of bycatch reduction work, where solutions often come from partnerships among researchers, fishing industry participants, engineers, non-government organizations, and resource managers.

18) What agency administers the 2022 BREP opportunity?

The program is run by the Department of Commerce through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

19) What is the official opportunity title?

The opportunity title is "2022 BREP."

20) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NOAA NMFS FHQ 2022 2007151.

21) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 11.472.

22) When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 15, 2021.

23) What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was April 2, 2022.

24) What kinds of outcomes is BREP trying to produce?

The opportunity was designed to support mid-sized, applied projects that can generate measurable bycatch reduction outcomes, improve survival of released species, and produce results that fisheries managers can use in decision-making for federally managed marine resources.

25) Does BREP emphasize measurable results?

Yes. The program highlights work that measurably prevents or reduces incidental capture, contact, injury, or death, and it also supports quantifying post-release mortality and injury.