Deadline: 15-Jul-2020
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs’ (OES) Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs at the U.S. Department of State (DOS), announces the Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) for Ocean Conservation Projects in Developing States: Emerging Technology to Safeguard Ocean Ecosystems and Resources.
OES announces a request for proposals from organizations interested and driven to develop and manage a project that achieves the overarching goals of this funding opportunity: ensure that existing and new MPAs are effectively managed by furnishing MPA managers with new and innovative tools to effectively monitor and enforce laws in areas under their jurisdiction.
Program Goals
Demonstrate the efficacy of emerging technology to safeguard MPAs, and secure the adoption of those technologies that prove successful, as tools to improve the management of existing MPAs and improve the ability of resource managers to safeguard the ocean’s resources for present and future generations.
Expected Results
Specific results for the MPA project could include one or more of the following:
- Increased effective management of existing MPAs, including through increased interdiction of illegal activities within the subject MPAs.
- New or existing tools made more accessible to MPA managers in a way that is sustainable beyond the award period.
- Improved local awareness of the economic benefits provided by well-managed MPAs.
Main Activities
To achieve the goals and expected results, the program could include the following:
- Develop and/or deploy at least one technological solution to improve MPA surveillance and/or enforcement in one or more target countries.
- Identify ways to make any new tool or tools sustainable (accessible, and deployable) beyond the period of performance of the award.
- Develop capacity of target country or countries to identify, develop, deploy, and maintain new technological solutions to enhance MPA surveillance and enforcement capabilities.
- Identify additional local and/or regional needs for MPA enforcement, with targeted support for key gap areas as identified through the course of the project.
- Seek opportunities to link emerging technology with existing technology or existing practice to enhance overall effectiveness of management.
- Improve awareness of the link between resource management and economic benefits within communities adjacent to MPAs.
Funding Information
- OES has funding available for a single award of up to $200,000 USD for the “Emerging Technology to Safeguard Ocean Ecosystems and Resources” program.
- The period of performance will be for 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, foreign not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations, U.S. and foreign educational institutions, and public international organizations.
Eligible countries: The project should be focused on Burma, Cambodia, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mozambique, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=327413