TNC SOAR - Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-11 08:19

TNC, Pew, NOAA, USDA collaboration. Purchase Program buys farmed oysters for reef restoration. Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund supports industry.

Source: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/soar/

Funding Details

Funder

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) & The Pew Charitable Trusts

Funding Goal

Support shellfish farming businesses and advance coastal ecosystem recovery by purchasing farmed oysters for reef restoration and funding innovation projects in the U.S. shellfish aquaculture industry

Funding Amount

Phase 1 distributed $1 million across 36 innovation awards. Phase 2 added $6.3 million over four years ($3M from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $3.3M from Builders Initiative), building on a $5 million Phase 1 investment. DEI initiative proposals are approximately $75,000-$100,000 each. Total program investment exceeds $11 million. (75.000 € – 100.000 €)

Deadline

Not specified — Purchase Program currently not accepting applications; Resiliency Fund operates on rolling submissions (Rolling)

How to Apply

The SOAR program operates through two main mechanisms: (1) The Purchase Program, which is currently not accepting applications — interested growers should monitor the website or contact SOAR@tnc.org for updates; (2) The Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund, which accepts rolling submissions for innovation projects and DEI initiatives. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with Resiliency Fund priorities, disclose all required permits, and identify lease/permit holders where applicable. General inquiries can be directed to SOAR@tnc.org.

Target Region

United States (coastal states including ME, NH, MA, NY, NJ, MD, CA, WA, plus territories and Tribal Nations)

Contact

Email: SOAR@tnc.org

Official Page

https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/provide-food-and-water-sustainably/food-and-water-stories/oyster-covid-relief-restoration/

Last Checked

2026-03-11 19:19

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a shellfish grower, industry association, supply chain company, or organization with clearly defined shellfish industry partners in the United States
• All required aquaculture permits must be disclosed and in good standing at application submission, or evidence must be provided that permits will be secured
• Projects must be located in U.S. states, territories, or Tribal Nations

Project Scope

• Applications should demonstrate alignment with Resiliency Fund priorities including innovation, workforce development, or DEI

Required Documents

• Lease or permit holders must be identified if project requirements necessitate them

Constraints

• Equipment purchases must benefit multiple industry members, apply exclusively to the project, or result in a transferable product
• Funding cannot be used for lobbying activities

Summary

The Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) program is a collaborative initiative led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Pew Charitable Trusts, with support from NOAA, USDA, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Created in late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, SOAR addresses the dual challenges of supporting shellfish farmers facing economic hardship and restoring degraded oyster reef ecosystems across the United States. The program operates through two main mechanisms. The Purchase Program buys farmed oysters from growers and redirects them to reef restoration projects, providing income support while advancing coastal ecosystem recovery. Since inception, it has purchased over 3.5 million oysters, supported 125 shellfish companies, preserved more than 450 jobs, and restored nearly 40 acres of reef across 25 sites in seven states. The Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund provides grants for farmer-led innovation projects and DEI initiatives in the aquaculture sector. With a total investment exceeding $11 million across both phases (including $6.3 million in Phase 2 funding from NFWF and Builders Initiative), SOAR represents one of the largest public-private partnerships bridging aquaculture industry support with marine conservation. The program targets U.S. shellfish growers, industry associations, and supply chain companies across all coastal regions including territories and Tribal Nations. The Purchase Program is currently not accepting applications, while the Resiliency Fund operates on a rolling basis. The program seeks equitable geographic distribution across West Coast, East Coast, and Gulf regions, with a growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the shellfish industry.

Historical Context

SOAR was created in late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when oyster growers faced excess stock due to declining restaurant demand. Phase 1 invested $5 million, purchased 3.5+ million oysters, supported 125 shellfish companies, preserved 450+ jobs, and restored nearly 40 acres of reef across 25 sites in 7 states. Phase 1 of the Resiliency Fund distributed $1 million across 36 innovation awards in 16 states, followed by Phase 2 funding 47 additional farmer-led projects. In February 2023, Phase 2 of the Purchase Program was announced with $6.3 million in additional funding over four years.

Sources

• https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/soar/
• https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/provide-food-and-water-sustainably/food-and-water-stories/oyster-covid-relief-restoration/
• https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/soar-funding-announcement-2024/
• https://www.pew.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases-and-statements/2023/02/28/pew-the-nature-conservancy-scale-partnership-with-oyster-farmers-to-restore-marine-ecosystems

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