Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program 2025 - 2026 Request for Proposals

RFP GUIDANCE

NFWF is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. We continuously monitor legal and regulatory developments to ensure our policies, procedures, and operations align with current federal directives. We encourage all applicants to do the same. 

The ability and extent to which NFWF is able to make awards is contingent upon receipt of funds from federal agencies and/or other funding partners. Final funding decisions will be made based on the applications received and the level and timing of funding received by NFWF.
 

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information [Fisheries Innovation Fund].

Applicant Webinar (Register here):     Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET
Full Proposal Due Date:           Wednesday, September 24, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET
 

OVERVIEW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will award grants that catalyze the voluntary implementation of electronic technologies (ET) for fisheries catch, effort, and/or compliance monitoring, and improvements to fishery information systems in U.S. fisheries.  

The Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EMR) Grant Program will advance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) goals for productive and sustainable fisheries and safe sources of seafood by working to partner with fishermen and other stakeholders, state agencies, and Fishery Information Networks to incorporate technologies that modernize fisheries data collection and management. Specifically, the EMR Grant Program will solicit proposals that develop and implement promising ET that improves the timeliness and quality of fisheries data; expand access and availability of data; increase knowledge of fisheries for management, industry, and science purposes; improve regional data management systems and data interoperability; and empower fishermen and other citizens to become more actively involved in the data collection process. Examples of ET include any electronic tool used to support fisheries monitoring both onshore and at sea, including electronic reporting (e.g., e-logbooks, tablets, and other input devices), electronic monitoring (e.g., electronic cameras and gear sensors on-board fishing vessels), and vessel monitoring systems or electronic tools to improve data processing, management, or access.

The EMR Grant Program was created through a partnership with NOAA. 
 

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

The Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program is a national program and will consider proposals from all U.S. state and federal fisheries, including commercial, recreational, or for-hire sectors. Fisheries operating outside the U.S. are ineligible for funding under this opportunity. 

Fisheries nationwide are eligible to receive funding to support electronic monitoring and reporting efforts, including data management system modernization. NFWF encourages applications that continue to advance ET and data modernization from the Gulf reef fish fishery, the New England groundfish fishery, the West Coast groundfish fishery, the Alaska halibut and groundfish fisheries, and highly migratory species fisheries, that have all been engaging with these innovations for some time, but other fisheries exploring these topics are fully eligible and have a strong history of receiving funding. 
 

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

Proposals should address one or more of the program priorities listed below. All proposals should outline conservation benefits of the project. Monitoring changes in project metrics and ET improvement or adoption over time should be a key aspect of project proposals. NFWF and partners intend to fund projects that have wide benefits for public resources, including meeting stakeholder, conservation, and management objectives. All proposals should describe how projects will promote interoperability with other fishery data systems, enhance data sharing, and encourage consistent and easy access to data by authorized users. If applicable, proposals should explain how projects will accomplish NOAA Fisheries’ national and regional ET priorities by discussing with NOAA Fisheries National ET Program. Where appropriate, projects that include preparation and dissemination of technical documentation of best practices and principles, including data formats and standards used will be more competitive.

  1. E-technology in fishery data collection: Projects addressing this priority will implement EMR strategies for the support of fisheries conservation and management, including:  
    1. Support the implementation of voluntary, cost-shared electronic monitoring and reporting efforts, fishery data system developments, and software developments to improve the consistency, interoperability, quality, reliability, and usability of information to support sustainable fisheries management and conservation of marine resources;
    2. Expand technology or data modernization efforts to the regional-scale or across multiple regions, such as fleet-wide and/or sector-scale solutions that have broad footprints in terms of the number of individuals they impact. Competitive proposals will demonstrate close consideration and, where beneficial, coordination with relevant federal or state fishery management agencies;
    3. Transfer benefits of fisheries electronic technologies to fisheries, regions, or stakeholder groups that have not yet benefitted or engaged with electronic technologies and data modernization;
    4. Strengthen ET implementation and catalyze the adoption of electronic monitoring and reporting programs and fishery information system improvements consistent with the NOAA Fisheries’ national and regional ET priorities, or data collection programs identified by Regional Fishery Management Councils. NFWF encourages applicants to review and reference priorities in Council documents or by contacting national and regional NOAA Fisheries staff. 

Generally, projects under this priority will improve reporting and monitoring of fisheries, including but not limited to assisting commercial and recreational fisheries with acquiring and deploying appropriate ET needed to increase accountability and address regional ET priorities and goals. This may include development of a regional or cross-regional roadmap with timelines to advance ET; innovative approaches, including incentives, to encourage and retain fishermen participation in modernizing data collection; assessment of current and future ET costs and benefits; and/or outreach to inform and encourage adoption of ET. Competitive proposals will include outreach and engagement of commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and/or other fishing businesses. 

  1. Modernize data management systems: Projects addressing this priority will modernize data management systems in order to reduce costs and improve consistency, interoperability, quality, reliability, and/or usability of information collected using e-technology. Applicants should coordinate closely on data management with NOAA Fisheries and/or regional Fishery Information Networks, as appropriate. Eligible activities include:
    1. Improve capacity to ensure that electronically collected data are: 1) communicated and processed efficiently; 2) meeting appropriate standards for chain of custody, confidentiality, and archiving; 3) meeting rigorous standards needed for inclusion in stock assessments, catch accounting, and management (and provide at a minimum, trip level catch or discards at least by species and number); and 4) accessible from a variety of authorized applications;
    2. Explore or advance innovative data storage solutions (including cloud storage) to address questions of storage costs, access, and security across multiple data contributors and users including fishermen, managers, scientists, and other stakeholders;
    3. Develop processes and technology to reduce the cost of fisheries data collection and review (e.g., automated catch accounting and video analysis) as well as storage of large volumes of data (e.g., open-source software that minimizes the data to be stored, enables data access and interoperability, increases the speed of video review, and/or increases file compression);
    4. Convene or otherwise gather input from fishing industry members, technology experts, marine scientists, and other relevant parties, to develop plans or visions for data modernization and technology incorporation, including the development of ET standards;
    5. Test solutions to data availability challenges in areas with limited broadband access, such as rural communities and remote fishing grounds;
    6. Communicate ET and data modernization advancements and lessons learned across fisheries and across regions through sharing of best practices and technical documentation. 

Projects should seek to use one of the two following approaches when addressing the priorities listed above:

  1. Implement proven innovations at-scale - Competitive proposals will scale-up proven data modernization or ET innovations that are positioned to impact a significant portion of the fleet and/or multiple fishing communities. When applicable, such proposals will focus on the diffusion, adoption, and application of innovative strategies. 
  2. Develop or pilot innovative ideas – Competitive proposals will develop, test, and/or pilot innovative solutions and approaches to known fisheries and data management challenges. Innovations from all U.S. fisheries will be considered.

Community Impact and Engagement: Projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged. When possible, projects should be developed through community input and co-design processes ensuring traditional knowledge elevation. Additionally, projects should engage community-level partners (e.g., fishing associations, municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to help design, implement, and maintain projects to secure maximum benefits for fishing communities, innovation maintenance, and sustainability post-grant award. 
 

PROJECT METRICS

To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants, a list of metrics for the EMR Grant Program is available in Easygrants. Applicants will choose from this list for future reporting. We ask that applicants select only the most relevant metrics from this list for their project (all possible program metrics are shown in the table below). If an applicable metric has not been provided, please contact Gray Redding (gray.redding@nfwf.org) to discuss acceptable alternatives.

Example Project Activity Recommended Metric  Metric Instructions
Example project activities are given for demonstration purposes only and are not meant to be inclusive of all activities that could be associated with a given metric. Metrics available in the Easygrants Full Proposal application. Please review these instructions carefully to understand if a given metric is appropriate for your project.
Develop a formal plan to implement an EM/ER monitoring program or modernize data management systems. Management or Governance Planning - # plans developed Specify the number of plans developed with input from multiple stakeholders and that identify monitoring or system improvement objectives. Examples of types of plans may include an implementation plan, operations plan, data management plan, software design document, etc. Specify the type of plan or plans in the “Notes” section.
Address a prioritized NOAA Fisheries’ national/regional ET activity or regional Council activity. Management or Governance Planning - # management plan activities being implemented Enter the number of NOAA national/regional or Council priorities this project addresses and list the region and plan priority in the “Notes” section.
Build capacity for electronic technology and data modernization. Building institutional capacity - # FTEs with sufficient training Enter the number of staff or full-time equivalents (FTE) with sufficient training and skills engaged in conservation activities. Provide the skills that the FTEs will have in the “Notes” section.
Participants agree to, and comply with, an incentive agreement (e.g., implementation plan, data sharing agreement, exempted fishing permit, vessel monitoring plan, etc.). Participants complying with their incentive agreement - # participants in compliance Enter the number of participants complying with an incentive agreement developed through the project. Specify and describe the type of incentive agreement that participants will be complying with in the “Notes” section.
Implement a regional-scale EM/ER monitoring program. Monitoring - # vessels in monitoring program State the number of vessels directly engaged/participating in monitoring program(s).
Implement a regional-scale EM/ER monitoring program Monitoring - # of trips monitored using electronic technology Enter the number of fishing trips monitored using EM/ER technology over the grant period. In the “Notes”, please specify total number of trips taken.
Engage government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholder groups in implementing ET or addressing data modernization challenges. Capacity, Outreach, Incentives- # of organizations contributing to goals Enter the number of organizations participating in the project. In the “Notes” section, please briefly list the entities, the type of entity (local, state, or federal government, NGO, for-profit business, etc.) and how they are participating.
Develop, test, or implement a tool or technique for decision making, data collection, or other use.

Tool development for decision-making - # tools developed; 

Tool development for decision-making - # tools/techniques tested; 

Tool development for decision-making -# tools/techniques implemented

This field represents multiple metrics, based on where tools are in the process of implementation. Enter the number of tools developed, tested, or implemented, and specify the type of tool(s) in the “Notes” section. 

  • Developing a tool would mean early conceptualization and creation. 
  • Testing a tool would represent pilot stage deployment of a tool.
  • Implementing a tool would occur through at-scale deployment of the tool.
Train and engage new staff in the implementation of an ET project or data modernization initiative.  Economic benefits - # jobs created Enter the number of individuals hired by organization or contractor to directly work on the project (non-volunteers). Jobs should be directly engaged in project activities, funded by the grant, and should not have existed or been unfilled prior to the grant period. A job must be counted as either a job created or a job sustained, it cannot be counted as both. In the metric “Notes” section describe and provide the full-time equivalent (FTE) for the jobs created.
Change the profitability of a fishing activity or fleet by implementing a new practice. Economic benefits - % profitability Enter the percent of revenue represented by profit (profit/total revenue) due to the project.
Affect the number of days a fishing season is open. Fishing Season - # of days Enter the number of days open to fishing within the regular season. In the “Notes” describe how the project would contribute to these days being open.
Engage fishermen or other stakeholders in a project through education, assistance, or other means. Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance - # people reached State the number of people, such as fishermen, reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities. Use the "Notes" section to identify the type of outreach or assistance, and level of engagement had with people reached.
Help fishermen or other stakeholders implement a new practice or other behavioral change such as using an application or new technology. Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance - # people with changed behavior Enter the number of people reached that have demonstrated a minimum threshold of behavior change. This metric should only be chosen if the project has clear methods to define and measure behavior change, which should be described in the “Notes” section.
Develop an electronic monitoring program or program to monitor the implementation of a new technique. Monitoring - # monitoring programs Enter the number of monitoring programs to be implemented, established, or continued by the project.
Trace the capture and sale of seafood from the vessel through the supply chain to the consumer. Monitoring - tons traced through supply chain Enter the number of tons of seafood traced through the supply chain as a result of the project.


ELIGIBILITY

Eligible and Ineligible Entities

  • Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, educational institutions, and commercial (for-profit) organizations. 
    • For-profit applicants: please note that this is a request for grant proposals, not a procurement of goods and services; see the Budget section below for specific cost considerations.
  • As this program will award grants of federal financial assistance funds, applicants must be able to comply with the OMB guidance in subparts A through F of 2 CFR 200 (OMB Uniform Guidance).
  • Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, including Regional Fisheries Management Councils, and unincorporated individuals. 


AWARD SIZE AND MATCHING FUNDS

The majority of awards under this program will fall in the range of $200,000 to $500,000, although upper or lower limits to award size are not specified. All proposals must include matching contributions. Matching contributions from non-federal sources (both cash and in-kind) must equal or exceed a 1:1 ratio (100% of the requested amount). NFWF recognizes that it may be a challenge to meet the required 1:1 match ratio.  If you have questions about meeting this match requirement, please contact Gray Redding (gray.redding@nfwf.org) to discuss. Applicants will be prompted to include information on other sources of funding for the project in the application section entitled “Matching Contributions.” Match should be expended within the period of performance of the project. To allow for contracting, project periods of performance should start two to six months after the award date in March 2026 and cannot exceed two years.
 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness and compliance with NFWF and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria.

Conservation Outcomes Budget Technical
  • Alignment with program goals and priorities
  • Quantifiable performance metrics
  • Appropriate monitoring of activities and outcomes
  • Partnership & community engagement
  • Project long-term sustainability
  •  Allowable and reasonable costs
  • Matching contributions
  • Cost effective
  • Technically sound and feasible
  • Logical and achievable work plan and timeline
  • Engages technical experts
  • Accurate spatial data
  • Sound compliance approach (permits, NEPA, QAQC)
  • Past grantee success
  • Transferable

        
Partnership and Community Impact – The applicant organization partners and engages collaboratively with local community members, leaders, community-based organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement the proposed project. This ensures long-term sustainability and success of the project, integration into local programs and policies, and community acceptance of proposed restoration actions. Partners or communities are enlisted to broaden the sustained impact from the project. Describe the community characteristics of the project area, identify any communities impacted, describe outreach and community engagement activities and how those will be monitored and measured. Use data to support descriptions and submit letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators demonstrating their commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed.

Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories.  Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance as applicable.

Matching Contributions – Matching Contributions consist of cash, contributed goods and services, volunteer hours, and/or property raised, spent, and acquired for the Project during the Period of Performance. Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a range of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive during application review.

Cost-Effectiveness – Cost-effectiveness analysis identifies the economically most efficient way to meet project objectives. Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of effective direct/indirect costs across all categories in the proposed budget according to the type, size and duration of the project and project objectives. Project budgets will be compared to similar projects to ensure proposed costs across all budget categories are reasonable for the activities being performed and the outcomes proposed.

Spatial Data – Project spatial data submitted to NFWF’s online mapping tool accurately represent the location(s) of conservation activity(ies) at the time of proposal submission. Successful projects will be required to submit improved spatial data for each conservation activity within the period of performance as necessary.
 

OTHER  

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds 

  • Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases.  NFWF acknowledges, however, that some projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment and consider applications for funding essential equipment on a case-by-case basis. If this applies to your project, please contact the program staff listed in this RFP to discuss options.
  • NFWF funds and matching contributions are strictly prohibited from being used for a number of reasons to include, for example, political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities, or in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. See OMB Uniform Guidance for additional information.
  • Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential component, or as critical technology of any system. Refer to Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information. 
  • NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts. 

Environmental Services – NFWF funds projects in pursuit of its mission to sustain, restore and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations. NFWF recognizes that some benefits from projects may be of value with regards to credits on an environmental services market (such as a carbon credit market). NFWF does not participate in, facilitate, or manage an environmental services market nor does NFWF assert any claim on such credits. 

Intellectual Property – Intellectual property created using NFWF awards may be copyrighted or otherwise legally protected by award recipients. NFWF may reserve the right to use, publish, and copy materials created under awards, including posting such material on NFWF’s website and featuring it in publications. NFWF may use project metrics and spatial data from awards to estimate societal benefits that result and to report these results to funding partners. These may include but are not limited to: habitat and species response, species connectivity, water quality, water quantity, risk of detrimental events (e.g., wildfire, floods), and carbon accounting (e.g., sequestration, avoided emissions).

Procurement – If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services, an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF’s express written authorization for the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively.  When procuring goods and services, NFWF award recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable laws and regulations.  

Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support – Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF’s financial support for the grant in press releases, publications and other public communications.  Recipients may also be asked by NFWF to provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.

Receiving Award Funds – Award payments are primarily reimbursable.  Projects may request funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF.  A request of an advance of funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds. Requests for monthly advances will not be considered.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and the National Historic Preservation Act.  Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s).  Applicants should budget sufficient time and resources to obtain the needed approvals.  As may be applicable, successful applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state or local requirements and obtain all necessary permits and clearances.

Permits – Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any Federal, state or local requirements.  Where projects involve work in the waters of the United States, NFWF strongly encourages applicants to conduct a permit pre-application meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers prior to submitting their proposal.  In some cases, if a permit pre-application meeting has not been completed, NFWF may require successful applicants to complete such a meeting prior to grant award.
 

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the Program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information (Fisheries Innovation Fund).

Applicant Webinar (Register here) July 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET
Full Proposal Due Date September 24, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET
Review Period October - March 2026
Awards Announced March 2026


HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation’s Easygrants system.

  1. Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login). Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process.
  2. Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.
  3. Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.
     

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE 

A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working through your application.

Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s Applicant Information page.

For more information or questions about this RFP, please contact: 

Gray Redding
Gray.Redding@nfwf.org

For issues or assistance with our online Easygrants system, please contact:
Easygrants Helpdesk
Email:  Easygrants@nfwf.org
Voicemail:  202-595-2497
Hours:  9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday-Friday. 
Include:  your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to, and a description of the issue.