** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT AIMS TO DEVELOP A MICRONEEDLE-BASED TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFICIENT UNDERWATER FISH VACCINE DELIVERY. FISH DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FISH LOSS IN AQUACULTURE. EFFECTIVE VACCINATION AT AN EARLY STAGE IS ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING DISEASES TO SECURE THE AQUACULTURAL FOOD SUPPLY. AMONG ALL THE VACCINE ADMINISTRATION ROUTES, INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD. HOWEVER, IT IS LABOR-INTENSIVE, REQUIRES FISH SEDATION, AND POSES SAFETY HAZARDS FOR FARM WORKERS. TO OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES, MICRONEEDLE TECHNOLOGY USING FOOD-GRADE BIOMATERIALS WILL BE DEVELOPED TO DELIVER VACCINES UNDERWATER, ESPECIALLY TO YOUNG FISH. MICRONEEDLES LOADED WITH VACCINES WILL BE DEPLOYED UNDERWATER TO RELEASE THE CARGO INTO FISH SKIN AND MUSCULAR TISSUES TO PROVIDE IMMUNOLOGICAL PROTECTION. THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT CAN PROVIDE A VACCINATION METHODTHAT CAN BE AUTOMATED TO RELIEVE WORKLOAD, DELIVER VALUABLE VACCINES PRECISELY, AND AVOID NEEDLEWASTE WITH BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS.