Deadline: 16 August 2016
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce is currently inviting applications for its Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants Program with an aim to implement projects that use a proactive approach to improve or restore coastal habitat to: strengthen the resilience of U.S. marine and coastal ecosystems and decrease the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather and support sustainable fisheries and contribute to the recovery of protected resources.
The program will support NOAA’s “Healthy Oceans” and “Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies” goals for marine fisheries, habitats, and biodiversity sustained within healthy and productive ecosystems.
Goals
- Restore habitat to support healthy fish populations and provide sustainable and lasting ecosystem functions that reduce hazard vulnerability and risks posed to U.S. coastal communities from extreme weather events, changing environmental conditions, and allow for adaptation to known or potential climate change impacts;
- Demonstrate collaboration and alignment among multiple stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, by proposing projects that implement ecosystem-based restoration recommendations and site-specific strategies outlined in existing coastal vulnerability or resiliency studies and comprehensive planning efforts;
- Result in socio-economic benefits associated with the restoration of healthy and resilient U.S. coastal ecosystems, such as increased economic activity, enhanced recreation including fishing, changes in human well-being, improved or protected infrastructure, decreased flooding impacts, elimination of safety hazards, and/or reduced maintenance costs;
- Restore habitat within NOAA priority areas, such as Blueprint Habitat Focus Areas.
- Implement on-the-ground restoration actions that will begin within 24 months of the proposed award start date, will result in beneficial impacts, and achieve the stated ecosystem resiliency and habitat goals;
- Receive approval from the State Governor as evidenced by a letter or other form of documented correspondence, such as a letter from a Governor’s appointee, prior to award. Before awards are made, NOAA will verify that correspondence from the State Governor has been received.
Award Information
- Total anticipated funding for all awards is up to $8.5 million.
- NOAA anticipates typical awards will range from $250,000 to $750,000.
- Applications should cover a period of performance between 12 and 36 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, non-profit or for-profit organizations, U.S. territories, and state, local and Native American tribal governments.
- Applications from individuals, federal agencies, or employees of federal agencies will not be considered.
- Individuals and federal agencies are strongly encouraged to work with states, non-governmental organizations, municipal and county governments, and others that are eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply by downloading the application package via given website.
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit grants.gov.