Research Funding Opportunities: June 27, 2025

All

First Opportunity

• Sponsor: Department of the Interior- Fish and Wildlife Service
• Funding Opportunity Title: F26AS00014 National Outreach and Communications Program
• Key words: fishing, boating, outdoor recreation, outreach, social science research
• Link to RFP:  https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359759
• Deadline: Deadline for submitting proposals is 08/17/2025. 
• Funding available: minimum of $100,000 to $13,000,000 with $26,000,000 available
• Period of performance: multi-year awards are allowable.
• Program Background: The National Outreach and Communications Program, or NOCP, aims to increase participation in recreational fishing and boating and promote public understanding of the value of conserving the nation’s aquatic natural resources. As defined in statute, the NOCP is intended to improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities, reduce barriers to access and participation in angling and boating activities, advance the adoption of sound angling and boating practices in the United States, promote conservation and the responsible use of the nation’s aquatic resources, and further safety in angling and boating.
• Program Objective: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking applications from eligible entities (eligible applicants) to implement the National Outreach and Communications Program (NOCP) through innovative programs that may be conducted at various geographic scales, ranging from local or state to regional or national levels. Applications must address one or more of the five purposes of an outreach and communications program, which are defined in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C.777c-777g) as programs that:
  • improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities;
  • reduce barriers to access and participation in angling and boating activities;
  • advance the adoption of sound angling and boating practices in the U.S.;
  • promote conservation and the responsible use of the nation’s aquatic resources; and/or
  • further safety in angling and boating.
• NOTE: While the program does not prescribe specific interventions, successful applications may include, but are not limited to, activities such as: integrated outreach campaigns using behavior-based marketing, social media, or influencer partnerships; development of mobile apps using public data to highlight fishing or boating opportunities; expansion of “how-to” video libraries; coordinated signage or messaging across state and federal lands; or events co-hosted with tourism agencies or industry groups to promote participation. Applicants may also propose strategies to build stakeholder capacity, such as trainings, toolkits, and information-sharing platforms that promote the adoption of effective outreach practices across jurisdictions. All proposed activities should be tied to clearly defined outcomes and include a plan for measuring performance. Evaluation approaches may include analysis of license sales and registration data, development and use of survey instruments, use of digital engagement metrics, or other measurements of indicators aligned with R3 objectives.

Second Opportunity

On July 30, 2025, the UF SRD team is presenting an introductory webinar on narrative structure for winning research proposals. Space is limited to the first 100 applicants. Register at this link. 

Category: MPMT

First Opportunity

• Sponsor: Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, in collaboration with Sandbox Films
• Funding Opportunity Title: Sandbox Fund
• Key words: science, nonfiction storytelling
• Link to RFP:  https://www.sundance.org/sandbox-fund/
• Deadline: 07/21/25
• Funding available:
  • Development (up to $40,000)
  • Production (up to $100,000)
  • Post-Production (up to $100,000)
• Period of performance: not specified
• Program Objective: Grants are offered to independent artists who are working at the intersection of science and nonfiction storytelling. The partnership identifies and supports nonfiction projects that inspire a deeper interest in science, especially among those who don’t think of themselves as science enthusiasts.
• NOTE: Selection criteria for the Sandbox Fund will emphasize creative narrative techniques and projects that highlight diversity in science, specifically those that feature characters, topics, or disciplines that broaden and redefine what it means to be a scientist or to do science.

Category: Research Funding Opportunities
Tagged: boating fishing nonfiction storytelling outdoor recreation Outreach Science social science research
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