Sponsors (2)
The bill provides targeted, predictable funding and clearer indirect-cost rules for aquaculture research and extension, at the cost of modest new federal spending and a risk that some institutions recover less overhead under the applied indirect-cost ceiling.
Researchers and aquaculture small businesses receive predictable federal support: $15 million per year authorized for FY2025–2029 to fund aquaculture research, extension, and teaching programs.
Grant recipients and administering institutions get clearer budgeting rules because the bill applies the section 1462 indirect-cost ceiling to awards, improving predictability for project budgets and institutional planning.
Universities, nonprofits, and other award recipients could receive less indirect cost recovery if the section 1462 ceiling is lower than the previous treatment, reducing overhead funds available to institutions.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending from a new $15 million per year authorization through 2029, increasing the federal outlay for aquaculture programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes $15M per year (FY2025–FY2029) for aquaculture assistance and changes which statutory indirect-cost limit applies to those awards.
Official title: Amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to eliminate the prohibition on indirect costs with respect to aquaculture assistance, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 31, 2025 by Roger F. Wicker · Last progress July 31, 2025
Provides new, multi-year funding and changes indirect-cost rules for federal aquaculture research and assistance programs. It authorizes $15 million per year for fiscal years 2025–2029 for the aquaculture assistance subtitle and immediately changes which statutory indirect-cost caps apply to awards made under that subtitle.