Copy of OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2025 - reposted July 2, 2025

The Coral Reef and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) under the U.S. Department of the Interior, is a competitive grant opportunity aimed at protecting and restoring natural resources—particularly coral reef ecosystems—in the U.S. insular areas. The 2025 funding opportunity, numbered OIA-CRNR-2025-V2, was reposted on July 2, 2025, and offers a total estimated program funding of $2,625,000 with an expected 10 awards. Each project may receive up to $300,000. The CRNR Program supports projects that combat invasive species, restore native habitats, improve resilience against climate and natural threats, and safeguard critical island ecosystems for the long-term economic and social benefit of the territories. Eligible applicants include non-federal entities such as local government agencies (including utilities), hospitals and health centers, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. These entities must be based in or directly benefit the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Freely Associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Applicants from judicial or legislative branches of local governments are not eligible, in accordance with federal cost principles under 2 CFR 200. Funded activities may include biosecurity, rapid detection and response, suppression or eradication of invasive species, coral disease mitigation, coral reef restoration, water quality improvement, and capacity-building initiatives such as education and outreach. Projects that promote joint jurisdictional action, incorporate indigenous knowledge, respond to disaster emergencies, or are prioritized in local or regional strategic plans will receive scoring preference during the merit review process. Emphasis is placed on proposals that lack alternative federal funding options and demonstrate alignment with local natural resource management priorities. Applicants must submit their proposals through Grants.gov by August 15, 2025, no later than 11:59 PM ET. Before applying, organizations must be registered in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications must include a signed cover letter, completed SF-424 forms (A, B, C or D, and LLL if applicable), a one-page abstract, a 10-page maximum narrative detailing project objectives, timeline, monitoring plan, and stakeholder engagement, and at least one output and outcome performance measure. Additional documents like audit summaries, conflict of interest statements, and financial capability responses are also required. Projects will be scored based on the clarity of their narratives, alignment with OIA priorities, budget accuracy, project timeline, stakeholder support, and prior grant performance. Each application must demonstrate measurable outputs and describe how success will be tracked. Reporting requirements include semi-annual narrative and financial progress reports due January 30 and July 30, with final reports due 120 days after award completion. Awards are anticipated to begin on October 1, 2025, and run through September 30, 2029. For questions, applicants should contact Merriam Porter at Merriam_Porter@ios.doi.gov. OIA personnel are available for technical assistance with registration or submission processes but cannot review proposals before submission due to federal fairness requirements. All projects must comply with the applicable cost principles in 2 CFR 200 and must receive Authorization to Proceed (ATP) before any work begins. Successful applicants will receive award notices through GrantSolutions or email during the summer 2025.

Begin SAM.gov registration early. Follow narrative structure. Include measurable outcomes and avoid force accounts.