January 23, 2026 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, is soliciting proposals for the Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program under a Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Due to the timing of this announcement, prospective applicants should anticipate that NOAA Fisheries may not issue a 2027 Scallop RSA Notice of Funding Opportunity, and that most, if not all, of the 2026 and 2027 research set aside scallops may be awarded under this competition. Further, because applicants may not have sufficient time to prepare for field work this year, NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that field work may need to start in 2027.
For more information, visit our application solicitation webpage.