Congress created the North Pacific Research Board in 1997 to recommend marine research initiatives to the US Secretary of Commerce, who makes final funding decisions.
The Board’s research funds are based on the interest earned by the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund (EIRF), created by Congress and derived from the Dinkum Sands case.
Each year, 20 percent of the interest is made available to the Secretary without further appropriation to carry out marine research activities.The Board supports $4-6 million in research each year based on its portion of the interest earnings on the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund. It meets twice a year and follows established operating procedures.
Throughout the year, NPRB staff assemble material for the coming year's Request for Proposals (RFP). The research priorities in NPRB’s annual RFP come from sources such as:
Research needs outlined in the 2005 NPRB Science Plan
Assessments of current and planned projects by NPRB and other institutions
New information gathered at science meetings and through the scientific literature
Research priorities submitted by various agencies and institutions