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Core
Program

To support a competitive, peer-reviewed annual request for proposal (RFP) process dedicated to marine research in Alaskan waters that is structured to address both pressing fishery management issues and important ecosystem information needs. Proposals are geographically centered in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea & Aleutian Islands, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems.

About the Program

NPRB supports a competitive, peer-reviewed annual request for proposal (RFP) process dedicated to pressing fishery management issues and important ecosystem information needs as prioritized by our Science Plan. Proposals are geographically focused in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Arctic Ocean.

The NPRB announced the first annual RFP of $1.5 million in 2002. Annual funding for this program has since ranged from $3.5 million to $14 million, supporting nearly 500 projects from 100 different national and international organizations.

How to Apply

NPRB releases a new RFP each year addressing relevant, timely, and specific research priorities important to our mission. Federal, state, academic, not for profit, private sector and coastal community entities are eligible to apply. Click the button below for more info.

MORE INFO

PROGRAM DETAILS

Important marine ecosystem questions and pressing fishing management needs have shaped the Core Program since 2002. The Core Program is NPRB’s longest-running and largest funded research program.

MORE INFO

program REQUIREMENTS

NPRB follows federal and financial reporting guidelines in compliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

MORE INFO

How to Apply

The annual request for proposals (RFP) was released on October 5th, 2022. For this current release, NPRB has adopted a rolling submission format for Core Program funding. Proposals may be submitted at any time.

Important Core RFP Application Details

Proposals undergo four stages of rigorous review, including independent peer review and Board appointed Science and Advisory Panels. The Board determines final funding recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce based on these reviews. In 2018, the Board adopted a rolling submission format for Core Program funding. Strong links to communities and stakeholders are expected of all proposals, regardless of the type of study. Proposals for research engaging or impacting Alaskan communities are encouraged to include a letter of support from the appropriate local or tribal governing bodies at the time of submission. All funded projects will be expected to have at least one team member participate in a communications workshop at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium.

Review Process

1

Peer Review

When proposals are first submitted to NPRB, proposals undergo a rigorous peer review. NPRB staff manage the peer review process by tapping into our extensive peer reviewer community.

2

Science Panel Review

The Science Panel reviews proposals for scientific merit. Their experience includes disciplines of oceanography, ecosystem dynamics, fish ecology, marine mammal and seabird biology, fisheries management, socioeconomics, and social science.

3

Advisory Panel Review

NPRB values stakeholder input from across Alaska representing the three large marine ecosystems. The panel reviews proposals for geographic importance and relevance to various resource user groups.

4

Board Review

The Board considers proposals twice a year in a rolling submission format. Using Science and Advisory Panel reviews, along with peer reviews, the Board makes funding decisions that have fisheries management implications and improved ecosystem understanding.

Linked Outreach Award

NPRB financially supports principal investigators in their communication of scientific results, education, and outreach initiatives. Each year, Core-funded projects have an opportunity to select linked Outreach Proposals under a separate RFP.

Rolling Submission

Rolling submission offers proposers the opportunity to submit their research proposals at any time of the year. This flexible approach helps those who have different research schedules and/or community priorities, and allows the time needed to craft solid, robust proposals for consideration.

Application to fisheries management

NPRB is interested in proposals that have direct application to fisheries management in accordance with our mission and vison. We ask proposers to consider how their research have broad implications to management or ecosystem needs.

Stakeholder engagement strategy

Strong interaction and engagement among stakeholders and/or target audiences is expected of all proposals, regardless of the type of study. Emphasis should be placed on the incorporation of clearly described, project-appropriate methods of communication and participation and/or engagement.

Special Focus Section

While the focus section topic varies (and may not be present in every RFP), it highlights pressing research needs for fisheries management or ecosystem issues. Check the most recent RFP for more details. We also encourage all stakeholders to submit their research priority ideas to us. Often these ideas populate our special focus section.

Partnering Organizations

Applicants have the option at the time of submission to be considered for co-funding through a collaborative arrangement with funding partners. Co-funding partners share complementary missions and cooperative agreements with NPRB. Current partners include the Bering Sea
Fisheries Research Foundation, Oil Spill Recovery Institute, and Pollock Conservation Cooperative
Research Center.

Budget Detail Template

When submitting a full proposal to the Core Program, you will be asked to complete a series of online forms and upload required files. Applicants must use templates for all sections where applicable. Proposals that do not use the templates will not proceed beyond the initial screening.

Online Resources to Build Your Proposal

As research, fisheries management, and stakeholder interests have changed since 2002, our RFPs have evolved to reflect these changes. These resources will help you formulate your next application to the Core Program. The project search tool enables you to query every project NPRB has funded in the past, and the Science Plan details the current research priorities and approaches that are important to our mission and vision.
credit: Alexander Burdin
credit: Glenn Aronwits
credit: Ryan Soderlund
credit: Brendan Smith/NPRB
credit: Hugh Rose
credit: Jordan Watson
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For almost twenty years, NPRB has been issuing Requests for Proposals through the Core Program (formerly known as the Annual Program). Over that time, NPRB has adjusted processes and methods to make the RFP better available our broad stakeholder user groups. Making these groups aware of these changes is important to NPRB. These are some of the regular questions NPRB program managers often receive when applicants are submitting their RFP to the Core Program.
What if I have collaborators from more than one institution?
There can be multiple organizations included on a single proposal. Each institution will require a Principal Investigator. One institution will be designated the Lead institution, with a lead PI who is responsible for the oversight of the entire package. A single proposal package is submitted through the lead institution, however, budget narrative and summaries must be filled out for each institution which will receive funds. There is also a signature page required for each institution that will be generated at the time of proposal submission. It is the responsibility of the lead institution to upload all of these signature pages. If awarded, each institution will receive a subaward from NPRB for the monetary component outlined in the proposal.
Do I have to Attend the alaska marine science symposium every year?
We encourage all PIs to include funds in their budget to attend the Alaska Marine Science Symposium every year, especially towards the completion of your project to present your final results.
WHO CAN APPLY?
All federal, state, private, and foreign organizations are eligible. Recipient organizations must have a UEI (unique entity identifier) number and must have an active registration in www.sam.gov, before any award can be made. Recipient organizations required to have a single or program-specific audit will be required to submit a copy of their most recent single or program-specific audit for review.
What is the funding cap for my proposal?
Funding caps are the total target amount available for that category unless otherwise noted.

What is the funding cap for my proposal?

Funding caps are the total target amount available for that category unless otherwise noted.

HOW MAN PROPOSALS CAN I SUBMIT AND/OR BE INCLUDED ON?

There is no limit.

HOW MAN PROPOSALS CAN I SUBMIT AND/OR BE INCLUDED ON?

There is no limit.

HOW is nprb funding distributed?

NPRB awards are structured as reimbursable funds with quarterly invoicing.

How Soon can I start my project?

Project start dates should be no less than 12 months from proposal submission date.

HOW MANY YEARS CAN A PROJECT BE?

Projects are typically 1-4 years.

Submit your ideas for
the next RFP


NPRB staff begins developing draft research priorities for the annual RFP in late July and August. If you have ideas for research that you think merit consideration in next year’s RFP, please complete this short form. Suggestions made before July 2nd will be considered for the current year’s RFP development. Suggestions received after this date will be considered for the following year.

200 character limit max. Only one suggestion for each submission; unlimited submissions.

Enter a short description of your suggestion.

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CORE PROGRAM METRICS

NPRB supports a wide array of research with updates to our annual RFP for funding availability and special focus sections. The metrics below illustrate funding success, where funds are allocated based on research priorities over time, and total amount invested since inception.

Past Requests for Proposals (2002-2021)

Various research questions and issues, as well as pressing fishing management needs, have helped shape the annual Requests for Proposals (RFPs) issued by NPRB since 2002. Our RFP Evolution documents summarize in table format how RFPs have changed over time.
wdt_ID YEAR AMOUNT AVAILABLE PROPOSALS RECEIVED PROPOSALS FUNDED FUNDS PROPOSED FUNDS GRANTED LINK TO RFP
1 2022 $3.5M 30 14 $9.6M $4.2M .pdf
2 2021 $3.7M 33 19 $9.6M $5.5M .pdf
3 2020 $4.0M 32 14 $9.5M $4.0M .pdf
4 2019 $4.0M 37 14 $10.5M $3.55M .pdf
5 2018 $4.45M 152 28 $42.4M $4.6M .pdf
6 2017 $4.55M 138 28 $32.0M $4.6M .pdf
7 2016 $4.55M 112 22 $25.0M $4.1M .pdf
8 2015 $5.9M 105 33 $24.0M $6.9M .pdf
9 2014 $4.25M 88 24 $17.1M $4.74M .pdf
10 2013 $4.0M 130 23 $23.5M $4.28M .pdf

Core Program
Requirements

NPRB has streamlined our reporting mechanisms to allow our PIs to spend more of their valuable time on the research. This online system is a portal for submission of semi-annual reports, final report, project summary for the interested public, and metadata (described separately below).

Program Reporting
Financial Reporting
Metadata & Data
Policies & Publications
Other Info

Progress Reports

Progress reports are due July 31 (from January through June) and January 31 (from July through December) for the duration of the project. If a progress report due date falls within six months prior to the project end date, no progress report will be due. Progress reports should be submitted to the NPRB Research Workspace with the project number in the subject line (e.g., NPRB Project 1310 Progress Report Jan 2015). Projects funded in 2015 and later should use the Ocean Workspace for report submission. Download the template below.

FINAL REPORTS

A final report is due 60 days after the project end date. Final reports should be submitted to the NPRB Research Workspace with the project number in the subject line (e.g., 708 Final Report Jan 2015). A template is provided below.

PRoject FACT SHEET

Communicating marine science to a general audience is an important skill, and one we value at NPRB. PIs are required to submit a project profile summarizing key aspects of their completed project. Along with images, video, and other submitted media, NPRB constructs an information sheet to best tell the story for each project—the “5 W’s” and How!

Financial
Reporting

NPRB funds are federal with a CFDA number of 11.472. Federal grant rules apply, including the Fly America Act. Projects are supported on a reimbursable basis, with invoices for expenditures due on a quarterly schedule. A financial report form, pre-populated from the accepted statement of work, is provided at the time of release of funds. Due dates for timely reimbursement are January 31st, April 30th, July 30th, and October 31st. Final invoices must be submitted within 60 days of the project end date and be clearly marked ‘Final’. Invoices will not be paid if programmatic reporting is delinquent. Failure to submit the final invoice within this period constitutes a complete waiver of all claims by the Subrecipient to any amounts not previously invoiced.

The final 10% of funds for a completed project will not be released until these reporting requirements have been approved by NPRB.

Contact Our Fiscal Agent

The Alaska SeaLife Center is the North Pacific Research Board's fiscal agent. Contact Tara Miller or (907) 224-6372 for all financial matters. Invoices should be submitted electronically, or by mail:

c/o Tara Miller
Alaska SeaLife Center
PO Box 1329
Seward, AK 99664

Budget Change Request

Reallocation of funds between or among the direct cost categories in the subawardee's NPRB Budget Summary Form in Appendix 1 must be approved in writing by NPRB prior to any such reallocated expenditure occurring, if that reallocation exceeds ten percent of the total subaward budget amount.

h

Projects with One Subaward Agreement

Reallocation of funds between direct cost categories requires approval only if the cumulative amount of budget reallocations is greater than 10% of the total budget amount. If you need to exceed this 10% threshold, you must request approval from NPRB. You can reallocate between years within a single cost category without needing to request approval.

i

Projects with multiple Subaward Agreements

The "10% threshold" stated above refers to the total amount (cumulative across budget categories) being reallocated per institution.

t

Budget request change example

A project has a total budget of $100,000. $80,000 goes to Organization 1; $20,000 goes to Organization 2. Organization 1 needs to request approval only if its cumulative budget reallocation is more than $8,000, and Organization 2 only if its reallocation exceeds $2,000. So the 10% is at the institute or awardee level; not at the overall project level, and also not at the individual budget category level.

Metadata & Data

Principal investigators who have completed NPRB-funded research are required to provide datasets and metadata records for all data collected under NPRB grants as per the NPRB Metadata and Data Policy. These files are due within 60 days of the project end date. NPRB has teamed with Axiom Data Science to best manage data transfer and metadata submission. The NPRB online project workspace is designed to facilitate project management, data storage, security, collaboration, and reporting. The workspace is also linked to this public website where users can obtain general information about each project.

Policies &
Procedures

NPRB strives to implement a science program of the highest quality. To maintain this high quality research, NPRB has implemented procedures for reviewing proposals, avoiding conflicts of interest, reviewing final reports, and protecting confidential information. They are published in NPRB’s standard operating procedures and are revised as necessary. Prior to submitting a proposal, please review this documentation.

Sub-award Compliance Policy

Metadata & Data Policy

Intellectual property clause

Confidentialy of Information

Publications

NPRB should be acknowledged in all publications, articles, or media releases derived from NPRB-funded projects. Project numbers should be referred to in the acknowledgement section of any peer-reviewed publication that was funded, in whole or in part, by NPRB.

Submit a .pdf of your manuscript to our publication library here.

No-Cost Extension Request

NPRB staff consider no-cost extensions on a case-by-case basis, with no guarantee of approval. Submit requests for a no-cost extensions at least 30 days before the end of the project period. Send your request to Jo-Ann Mellish, Program Manager.

Z

Justification for an extension

Z

A brief narrative summary of funds that are expected to be remaining at the current ending date

Z

Your requested new ending date with an updated timeline for completion based on your requested end date

Foreign Travel

Because NPRB funds originate with the Department of Commerce, NOAA must approve all foreign travel that occurs on NPRB grants. The approval process can take up to eight weeks, so please make your request as early as possible.

Requests must include: Full name of the meeting/conference, Itinerary (including dates of travel, dates of meeting/conference), Estimated costs for Airfare, Lodging ($xx/night for x nights), Meals ($xx/day fro x days), Registration, Ground transportation, Mileage, Other,and a short Justification. The Fly America Act applies to all travel using NPRB funding. A U.S. flag air carrier is required on every portion of a flight route unless qualified for a waiver.

If foreign travel was specified in your original project budget, the overall release of funds for your project will exclude the foreign travel funds. Each foreign travel trip must be approved individually. E-mail requests for foreign travel to Jo-Ann Mellish and Kristin Thoresen.

Select Your Option Below:

Reports
Financial
Metadata
Policies
Other

Progress Reports

Progress reports are due July 31 (from January through June) and January 31 (from July through December) for the duration of the project. If a progress report due date falls within six months prior to the project end date, no progress report will be due. Progress reports should be submitted to the NPRB Research Workspace with the project number in the subject line (e.g., NPRB Project 1310 Progress Report Jan 2015). Projects funded in 2015 and later should use the Ocean Workspace for report submission. Download the template below.

FINAL REPORTS

A final report is due 60 days after the project end date. Final reports should be submitted to the NPRB Research Workspace with the project number in the subject line (e.g., 708 Final Report Jan 2015). A template is provided below.

PRoject FACT SHEET

Communicating marine science to a general audience is an important skill, and one we value at NPRB. PIs are required to submit a project profile summarizing key aspects of their completed project. Along with images, video, and other submitted media, NPRB constructs an information sheet to best tell the story for each project—the “5 W’s” and How!

Financial
Reporting

NPRB funds are federal with a CFDA number of 11.472. Federal grant rules apply, including the Fly America Act. Projects are supported on a reimbursable basis, with invoices for expenditures due on a quarterly schedule. A financial report form, pre-populated from the accepted statement of work, is provided at the time of release of funds. Due dates for timely reimbursement are January 31st, April 30th, July 30th, and October 31st. Final invoices must be submitted within 60 days of the project end date and be clearly marked ‘Final’. Invoices will not be paid if programmatic reporting is delinquent. Failure to submit the final invoice within this period constitutes a complete waiver of all claims by the Subrecipient to any amounts not previously invoiced.

The final 10% of funds for a completed project will not be released until these reporting requirements have been approved by NPRB.

Contact Our Fiscal Agent

The Alaska SeaLife Center is the North Pacific Research Board's fiscal agent. Contact Tara Miller or (907) 224-6372 for all financial matters. Invoices should be submitted electronically, or by mail:

c/o Tara Miller
Alaska SeaLife Center
PO Box 1329
Seward, AK 99664

Budget Change Request

Reallocation of funds between or among the direct cost categories in the subawardee's NPRB Budget Summary Form in Appendix 1 must be approved in writing by NPRB prior to any such reallocated expenditure occurring, if that reallocation exceeds ten percent of the total subaward budget amount.

h

Projects with One Subaward Agreement

Reallocation of funds between direct cost categories requires approval only if the cumulative amount of budget reallocations is greater than 10% of the total budget amount. If you need to exceed this 10% threshold, you must request approval from NPRB. You can reallocate between years within a single cost category without needing to request approval.

i

Projects with multiple Subaward Agreements

The "10% threshold" stated above refers to the total amount (cumulative across budget categories) being reallocated per institution.

t

Budget request change example

A project has a total budget of $100,000. $80,000 goes to Organization 1; $20,000 goes to Organization 2. Organization 1 needs to request approval only if its cumulative budget reallocation is more than $8,000, and Organization 2 only if its reallocation exceeds $2,000. So the 10% is at the institute or awardee level; not at the overall project level, and also not at the individual budget category level.

Metadata & Data

Principal investigators who have completed NPRB-funded research are required to provide datasets and metadata records for all data collected under NPRB grants as per the NPRB Metadata and Data Policy. These files are due within 60 days of the project end date. NPRB has teamed with Axiom Data Science to best manage data transfer and metadata submission. The NPRB online project workspace is designed to facilitate project management, data storage, security, collaboration, and reporting. The workspace is also linked to this public website where users can obtain general information about each project.

Policies &
Procedures

NPRB strives to implement a science program of the highest quality. To maintain this high quality research, NPRB has implemented procedures for reviewing proposals, avoiding conflicts of interest, reviewing final reports, and protecting confidential information. They are published in NPRB’s standard operating procedures and are revised as necessary. Prior to submitting a proposal, please review this documentation.

Sub-award Compliance Policy

Metadata & Data Policy

Intellectual property clause

Confidentialy of Information

Publications

NPRB should be acknowledged in all publications, articles, or media releases derived from NPRB-funded projects. Project numbers should be referred to in the acknowledgement section of any peer-reviewed publication that was funded, in whole or in part, by NPRB.

Submit a .pdf of your manuscript to our publication library here.

No-Cost Extension Request

NPRB staff consider no-cost extensions on a case-by-case basis, with no guarantee of approval. Submit requests for a no-cost extensions at least 30 days before the end of the project period. Send your request to Jo-Ann Mellish, Program Manager.

Z

Justification for an extension

Z

A brief narrative summary of funds that are expected to be remaining at the current ending date

Z

Your requested new ending date with an updated timeline for completion based on your requested end date

Foreign Travel

Because NPRB funds originate with the Department of Commerce, NOAA must approve all foreign travel that occurs on NPRB grants. The approval process can take up to eight weeks, so please make your request as early as possible.

Requests must include: Full name of the meeting/conference, Itinerary (including dates of travel, dates of meeting/conference), Estimated costs for Airfare, Lodging ($xx/night for x nights), Meals ($xx/day fro x days), Registration, Ground transportation, Mileage, Other,and a short Justification. The Fly America Act applies to all travel using NPRB funding. A U.S. flag air carrier is required on every portion of a flight route unless qualified for a waiver.

If foreign travel was specified in your original project budget, the overall release of funds for your project will exclude the foreign travel funds. Each foreign travel trip must be approved individually. E-mail requests for foreign travel to Jo-Ann Mellish and Kristin Thoresen.

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