Opportunity Listing - Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood

The NCCOS Competitive Research Program (CRP) is pleased to announce two Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) under our National competitive harmful algal bloom (HAB) programs. These opportunities aim to drive innovation in HAB toxin detection and prevention, control, and mitigation strategies.

Funding is contingent upon the availability of Federal appropriations.

1. Funding Opportunity to Advance Harmful Algal Bloom Toxin Detection for Seafood Safety

This funding opportunity aims to advance practical and cost-effective innovations for HAB toxin detection in seafood. Improved toxin detection will support seafood safety, food security, and the economic success of U.S. seafood industries and their competitiveness in global markets.

NCCOS CRP expects to fund two to five projects for one to three years each, with an approximate annual budget of $100,000 - $250,000 for each project.

View the full NOFO here.

2. Funding Opportunity to Advance Technologies to Control Harmful Algal Blooms

This funding opportunity is focused on the comprehensive testing of HAB control technologies that fit one of the two following focal areas: (1) promising control technologies that are in need of further testing to prove feasibility; and (2) proven control technologies that are still in need of large-scale field testing or that have been approved for other situations (e.g. oil spills) that could be transferable to control HABs in the marine environment.

NCCOS CRP expects to fund three to five projects for three to five years each, with an approximate annual budget of $500,000 - $1,000,000 for each project, depending on the focal area. Proposals may request up to $500,000 per year for up to 3 years (focal area 1) or up to $1,000,000 per year for up to 5 years.

View the full NOFO here.

Important Deadlines

Please note the following deadlines for both NOFOs:

• Letters of Intent are due on or before April 14, 2026 (early submissions are strongly encouraged). 

• Full Applications are due May 14, 2026.

Informational Webinars

We will be holding informational webinars for each funding opportunity:

• March 24, 2026 2-3pm ET:

• Overview of NOAA’s FY2026 Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood (Link

• to Register)

• March 26, 2026 2-3pm ET:

• Overview of NOAA’s FY2026 PCMHAB Funding Opportunity for Potential Applicants (Link to Register)

If you are not able to make the webinar, recordings will be available on the NCCOS Funding Opportunities webpage after the event.

This work is authorized under the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 4001 et seq.).

Josie Galloway

NOAA National Ocean Service

National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) 

Office: (302) 930-0036

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