NOAA today also announced the award of $3.1 million in grants to 21 small businesses in 14 states to support the development of technology for aquaculture, commercial and recreational fisheries, weather prediction, and earth and ocean observations and modeling.
In making the announcement, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that “[s]mall businesses across our Nation are catalysts for technology innovation, which can produce products and services that support NOAA’s mission while directly benefiting the public and growing the American economy.”
Acting NOAA Admin. Neil Jacobs added that “[t]hrough collaboration with these small businesses, Americans will benefit with increased forecast accuracy and better management of our natural resources.”
The grants are being distributed as part of NOAA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program, which issued a call for applications in Dec. 2019. Awardees receive up to $150,000, and after completing Phase I can compete for Phase II funding of up to $500,000 over 2 years.