John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant
🏛 DOC NOAA - ERA Production (DOC-DOCNOAAERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations responding to marine mammal strandings and entanglements. You must be a member or collaborator with the U.S. National Marine Mammal Stranding Network or U.S. National Entanglement Response Network. You need a Prescott Letter of Eligibility confirming your eligible status.
Funded activities include rescue and care of sick or injured marine mammals, emergency response to stranding events, collection of scientific data from stranded animals, and facility operating costs. The program also funds stranding network capacity building and emergency response training where needed.
Nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and government agencies can apply. New applicants must declare this status in the Letter of Eligibility.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) is authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to facilitate collecting and disseminating reference data on stranded marine mammals (cetaceans and pinnipeds, excluding walrus) and the health trends of marine mammal populations in the wild. The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program is administered by NMFS to provide federal assistance to eligible members of the U.S. National Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the U.S. National Entanglement Response Network, and their collaborators to provide for: (A) the recovery, care, or treatment of sick, injured, or entangled marine mammals; (B) responses to marine mammal stranding events that require emergency assistance; (C) the collection of data and samples from living or dead stranded marine mammals for scientific research or assessments regarding marine mammal health; (D) facility operating costs that are directly related to activities described in (A), (B), or (C); and (E) development of stranding network capacity, including training for emergency response, where facilities do not exist or are sparse. This document describes how to submit proposals for funding under this competition and how NMFS will review and determine which proposals are selected for funding.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Prescott Letter of Eligibility
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget justification
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
- Letters of support (if collaborative)
Program contact
- 👤 Maria Aguiniga Grantor
- 📧 mackenzie.griffin@noaa.gov
- 📞 301-628-1384
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 11.061 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 11.061). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2026 est. | $1,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for the Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Grant?
You must be a member or collaborator of the U.S. National Marine Mammal Stranding Network or Entanglement Response Network. A Prescott Letter of Eligibility is required.
What activities are eligible for funding?
Recovery and care of injured marine mammals, emergency stranding response, data collection from stranded animals, facility operating costs, and capacity building like training programs.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is December 1, 2026. Check NOAA's grants portal for any updates.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $1 to $150,000 depending on project scope and competition.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Check the Notice of Funding Opportunity for specific match percentages.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your Stranding or Entanglement Network coordinator early to secure the required Letter of Eligibility.
- Clearly align activities with MMPA authority: rescue care, emergency response, or scientific data collection.
- Budget facility operating costs conservatively and link them directly to eligible marine mammal activities.
- Describe how your project improves network capacity or emergency response capability in your region.
- Include letters of support from network partners if collaboration strengthens your proposal.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Lacking the required Prescott Letter of Eligibility or submitting it late. Proposing ineligible activities unrelated to marine mammal rescue, care, or stranding response. Requesting cost sharing without a clear commitment from partners.
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