2020/2021 Monkfish Research Set-Aside | NOAA NMFS NEFSC 2020 2006149

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2020/2021 Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA)

What is the 2020/2021 Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) opportunity?

This is a NOAA/NMFS opportunity run through the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) that invites research proposals specifically designed to use Monkfish RSA Days At Sea (DAS) reserved by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils to support research.

Which agency and program are associated with this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The program is administered through NOAA/NMFS via the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). The CFDA listing provided is 11.454.

How is research funded under this RSA opportunity?

Research is not paid for with traditional federal grant dollars under this notice. Instead, the research budget is generated from proceeds created by selling or otherwise monetizing the allocated Monkfish RSA Days At Sea (DAS). Those proceeds are then used to cover research costs and to compensate fishing vessels that participate in the research and/or operate using the RSA DAS.

What does an applicant have to propose besides the research itself?

Applicants are expected to propose both: (1) a research plan, and (2) a practical approach for using the set-aside RSA DAS in a way that generates enough revenue to carry out that research plan, including covering research costs and compensating participating vessels as applicable.

What is the core purpose of the Monkfish RSA program?

The program is intended to generate information that strengthens monkfish science and management. Funded projects must either improve knowledge of the monkfish resource and fishery (including biological, ecological, fishery-dependent, or operational information) or meaningfully add to the evidence base used for monkfish management decisions.

What types of research outcomes are considered responsive to the program goals?

Projects are expected to produce information that directly supports monkfish science and management needs. The opportunity highlights improvements in knowledge of the monkfish resource and fishery (such as biological, ecological, fishery-dependent, and operational insights) and work that informs management decisions.

Do proposals need to align with Fishery Management Council research priorities?

Yes. Proposals that align with the Councils' identified research priorities receive preference. Applicants are expected to design their work around those priorities as described in the announcement's Program Priorities section.

Are the specific Council research priorities listed in the information provided?

No. The excerpt notes that the notice does not list the specific priorities in the provided text, but it clearly indicates that applicants should follow the priorities described in the full announcement's Program Priorities section.

What is meant by "RSA Days At Sea (DAS)" in this context?

RSA Days At Sea (DAS) are fishing effort allocations that the Councils have reserved specifically to support research. Under this opportunity, applicants must directly use monkfish RSA DAS as part of their proposed project approach.

How are fishing vessels involved in RSA-funded projects?

Vessels may participate in conducting the research and/or operate using the RSA DAS. The proceeds from monetizing RSA DAS are used in part to compensate fishing vessels involved in the project.

What kinds of federal awards may be made under this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered as a discretionary award and may be issued as either a grant or a cooperative agreement, depending on the anticipated level of federal involvement in the project.

What determines whether the award is a grant versus a cooperative agreement?

The distinction is based on the expected level of federal involvement in the project. If substantial federal involvement is anticipated, the award may be made as a cooperative agreement; otherwise, it may be made as a grant.

What are the funding activity areas for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists broad funding activity areas that include environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity information indicates an expected total of about three awards.

Is there a stated maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The opportunity record shows an award ceiling of "1" as entered in the source data. However, the description indicates that project funding is tied to RSA DAS value rather than an appropriated federal amount, and the "1" likely reflects data entry rather than a true budget cap.

If traditional federal grant dollars are not used, what does the "award ceiling" mean in practice?

Based on the information provided, the meaningful budget driver is the value generated by monetizing the allocated RSA DAS. The listed award ceiling appears inconsistent with that structure and is likely an administrative artifact rather than a practical limit on project scope.

Is a data sharing plan required?

Yes. A data sharing plan is mandatory and must be submitted with the proposal, reflecting NOAA and Department of Commerce expectations for organized, timely, and accessible data management and sharing.

What is the NOAA NEPA questionnaire, and is it required?

The NOAA NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) questionnaire form is used to help NOAA evaluate whether proposed field activities could have environmental impacts requiring analysis or documentation under NEPA. Applicants need to include or complete this questionnaire as part of the requirements highlighted for this cycle.

What reporting format is required for performance reporting?

Recipients must use the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) format for performance reporting.

Where are RPPR performance reports submitted?

RPPR submissions must be completed directly in Grants Online, and this is treated as a formal award administration requirement.

When was the opportunity record created, and what was the original application closing date?

The opportunity record was created on July 31, 2019. The original application closing date listed is September 29, 2019.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement. The description suggests that a range of entities may be able to apply (such as academic institutions, nonprofits, commercial fishing industry partners, and other research organizations), as long as they meet the program's specific eligibility and capability requirements.

Does the opportunity require the project to directly use monkfish RSA DAS?

Yes. The opportunity specifically invites research proposals that directly use monkfish RSA Days At Sea (DAS) reserved to support research.

What is the overall model of this opportunity in simple terms?

It is a research-and-operations partnership mechanism: investigators propose management-relevant monkfish research and also present a workable plan to leverage RSA DAS to generate the revenue needed to pay for the research and compensate participating vessels.

Which organizations helped develop the program?

The program was developed in coordination with the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils and is run through NOAA/NMFS (NEFSC).

Does this opportunity emphasize management relevance?

Yes. The program emphasizes research that directly informs monkfish management decisions, monitoring needs, and assessment needs, and it gives preference to proposals aligned with Council research priorities.