The Oyster Innovation Program is designed to support innovative small-scale projects to advance proof-of-concept oyster and/or aquaculture education and restoration initiatives at scales from local (within a tributary) to Chesapeake watershed wide.
Donor Name: Chesapeake Bay Trust
State: Maryland and Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Award
Deadline: 09/07/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $10,000
Grant Duration: 12 months
Details:
The goal of the program and of each project funded is to advance stewardship and restoration goals within the Chesapeake Bay agreement.
Oysters, oyster restoration, and oyster aquaculture activities world-wide, provide a suite of environmental and economic benefits, such as providing and enhancing marine habitat for commercial and recreational fishes; boosting the economy through seafood production, marketing, and by providing a way of life for watermen; buffering sensitive coastal shorelines from wave energy; and offering water quality improvements through filtration. Oyster aquaculture, in addition, can reduce pressure on wild oyster stocks, and has been implemented as a complement to wild harvest in many locations around the globe. Oyster aquaculture was recently recognized by the Chesapeake Bay Program as a nutrient reduction Best Management Practice (BMP) for the Chesapeake Bay; however, several aspects of this BMP, like any other best management practice, can be refined for cost effectiveness, improved ecological value, increased adoption in appropriate locations, and cultural sensitivity.
The purposes of this award program are to increase knowledge within priority audiences of the value of oysters, oyster fisheries, and aquaculture efforts, advance technologies for increasing oyster population or aquaculture production, and/or advance oyster population monitoring techniques.
The Trust is committed to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in its award-making and environmental work. As a result, the Trust strongly encourages applications directly from underrepresented groups, and for projects that increase awareness and participation of communities that are traditionally underrepresented, such as communities of color.
Eligible Project Types
Applicants can request funds from one of the following tracks:
- Track 1: Education – projects that increase knowledge within priority audiences of the value of oysters, oyster fisheries, and aquaculture;
- Track 2: Technology – projects that advance technologies for increasing oyster population or aquaculture production; and/or
- Track 3: Monitoring – projects that advance oyster population monitoring techniques.
Funding Information
The Trust has $150,000 available for this program. Applicants may request up to $10,000. Individual COA members may NOT submit applications for a joint project that would exceed the $10,000 maximum request per project.
Project Period
Projects must be completed within 12 months upon receipt of the award.
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding partners welcome requests from core Partners of the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA), which is comprised of community organizations, academic institutions, and both for-profit and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. If your organization is not a member of the COA but is interested in becoming a member and thus create eligibility to apply to this program.
- This program funds projects occurring in Maryland and Virginia.
- Eligible applicants will have and maintain in full force and effect during the term of the proposed project liability insurance coverage in connection with the performance or failure to perform services proposed.
For more information, visit Chesapeake Bay Trust.
