Recent Grant Awards

Research Proposals Funded Under the Commission's FY2008 Solicitation

Category: Conservation of critically endangered marine mammal species or populations

• C. Scott Baker, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University: Genetic differentiation, individual dispersal and effective population size of the New Zealand Hector's and Maui’s dolphins: implications for management
• Yulia Ivashchenko, Seastar Scientific: Review of the Okhotsk Sea bowhead whale population

Category:  Indirect effects of fisheries on marine mammals

• Nélio Barros, Portland State University: Marine mammal-fishery interactions: assessing the effects of a gillnet ban on bottlenose dolphins from two Florida resident populations
• Jason Link, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center: Marine mammal consumption of key prey fishes and invertebrates in the northeast United States: modeling, magnitude and sensitivity analysis
• Andrew Read, Duke University: An uncertainty analysis based on a modified PBR equation to assess relative risk of marine mammal stocks to indirect effects of fishing
• Federico G. Riet Sapriza, Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay: Foraging behavior and dietary preferences of South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens: resource competition with artisanal and coastal bottom trawl fishery in Uruguay

Research Priorities and Guidelines

The Marine Mammal Commission carries out a small research program that supports projects aimed at meeting the conservation and protection goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Commission’s research program includes all relevant activities including basic and applied research, workshops, literature reviews, compilation of expert opinion, and drafting manuscripts. The research program is administered by the Commission’s Scientific Program staff in consultation with a research subcommittee composed of members of the Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals. Click here for more information.

Funding Opportunity

The Commission accepts unsolicited proposals at any time; however, no further funding decisions are anticipated until early 2009. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Scientific Program Director by e-mail (bgisiner@mmc.gov) or telephone (301-504-0087) before undertaking a full, formal proposal. For guidance on proposal format, click here. Proposals will be reviewed by the Commission’s Research Subcommittee and external experts, as deemed necessary by the Commission. Proposal reviews will follow standard National Science Foundation and National Academy of Sciences guidelines for conflict of interest and confidentiality.

Policy on Indirect Costs

Due to the limited amount of funds available for research awards and the nature of the Commission’s goals and responsibilities, the Marine Mammal Commission has traditionally limited indirect costs for research grants and contracts awarded by the Commission to 10 percent of the total award. Click here for more information.

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