RESTORE Act Direct Component - Non-Construction Activities

The U.S. Department of the Treasury administers the RESTORE Act Program, created under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012. This legislation established the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund to direct 80 percent of civil penalties paid in connection with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill toward ecological and economic recovery in the Gulf Coast region. Treasury oversees the allocation and expenditure of these funds through multiple funding opportunity announcements. The current notice, GR-RDC-25-002, applies specifically to the Direct Component for non-construction activities. The purpose of this grant opportunity is to support activities in eligible Gulf Coast states that restore and protect natural resources, mitigate environmental damages, enhance coastal resilience, and foster economic growth. Eligible non-construction activities include workforce development and job creation, promotion of Gulf Coast seafood, and tourism initiatives. It also covers planning support for developing the Multiyear Implementation Plan required by the RESTORE Act. Unlike construction or real property acquisition, which require a separate funding announcement, this program is designed for activities that do not trigger federal or state permitting. Funds made available through this opportunity may be used for eleven categories of eligible activities. These include restoration and protection of ecosystems and fisheries, mitigation of damage to natural resources, implementation of federally approved conservation plans, improvements to coastal state parks, infrastructure projects that benefit ecological or economic resources, coastal flood protection, promotion of tourism and seafood consumption, workforce development, planning, and administrative costs. Activities involving restoration, protection, or conservation must be conducted within the Gulf Coast region, defined as coastal zones of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, adjacent watersheds, and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Eligible applicants for this non-construction FOA are state governments and county governments within the designated Gulf Coast region. Applicants must certify compliance with the RESTORE Act requirements, including public participation, transparency, and use of best available science for applicable projects. Although cost sharing is permitted, it is not required under this opportunity. Applicants may use Trust Fund allocations to satisfy non-federal cost-share requirements for other federally funded projects, provided those activities meet eligibility criteria. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as long as funds remain available in an applicant’s Trust Fund allocation, with a final closing date of October 31, 2026. Treasury indicates that this announcement may be extended or replaced with a new opportunity in the future. Applicants must submit through Grants.gov and provide all necessary supporting documentation, including project narratives, budgets, and certifications consistent with Treasury regulations at 31 CFR Part 34. Evaluation will be based on compliance with eligibility requirements, alignment with the RESTORE Act priorities, and adherence to transparency and public input standards. For assistance with system access or registration, applicants may contact the RGMS Help Desk at RGMShelpdesk@treasury.gov. For programmatic questions, the Office of Gulf Coast Restoration can be reached at restoreact@do.treas.gov. This FOA is expected to support approximately ten awards with an award ceiling of $120,153,261, although actual award amounts may vary depending on allocations and eligible activities. The announcement underscores Treasury’s commitment to long-term ecological and economic recovery in the Gulf Coast region following the Deepwater Horizon disaster.