Ocean Acidification Research Partnerships Act

This bill amends existing law to establish a new program for **Ocean Acidification Collaborative Research Grants**, designed to fund projects developed through partnerships between the **seafood industry** and the **academic community**. The grants aim to foster shared understanding, integrate industry expertise into research, and deliver practical results beneficial to both sectors in addressing ocean acidification. Projects must align with the strategic research plan and promote communication and collaboration, ensuring balanced support from both partners. The Secretary will prioritize projects that address vulnerable ecosystems and communities, demonstrate local stakeholder support, or utilize seafood industry assets as research platforms. Grant proposals must detail participant qualifications, plans for full engagement, and strategies for disseminating research findings. Federal funding for these projects is generally limited to 85% of the total cost, with a waiver option for the matching requirement, and implementation guidelines will be developed in consultation with stakeholders. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these research opportunities.