The Nature Conservancy and The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) program issued on March 29, 2021 a request for proposals for the new $1 million Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund (Fund). The Fund aims to pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable U.S. shellfish industry that benefits the ocean and the communities which rely upon it. Funding will be open to applicants in the United States and will be distributed equitably.
The small award will fund one-year projects (up to $20,000) and will target shellfish growers, shellfish aquaculture industry associations, and closely linked supply chain companies supporting aquaculture. The application deadline for the small RFP is May 17, 2021, with a second round closing in June 2021. The exact dates for the second round will be made available on the SOAR webpage soon.
The large award will fund two-year projects (up to $100,000) and will target shellfish growers, academic organizations, non-profit organizations engaged directly in the support of shellfish aquaculture, supply chain companies supporting aquaculture, and shellfish aquaculture industry associations. The application deadline for the large RFP is June 14, 2021.
The small and large awards have different eligibility requirements, application and reporting requirements, priorities, and deadlines. The funds are private in origin and are available as match for other grants.
To learn more about the Fund and the application process, visit the SOAR webpage.
To view the small RFP directly: https://tnc.box.com/s/ungj7m3y9x4lk8bgqdxvsw8n3xqolfn6
To view the large RFP directly: https://tnc.box.com/s/9e4wq60mt04dfbr4kyweci8v2ksvjupt
If you have questions about the Resiliency Fund, please contact Christina Popolizio, SOAR Program Coordinator, at c.d.popolizio@tnc.org.
