Coral Reef Stewardship Fund

The Coral Reef Stewardship Fund, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), supports innovative and strategic efforts to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems within U.S. coral jurisdictions. This program aims to reduce land-based sources of pollution, enhance coral reef fisheries management, increase capacity for large-scale restoration efforts, and support localized management to improve the resilience and recovery of coral reef systems. The fund is a collaborative partnership between NFWF and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (NOAA CRCP), with additional funding support from Aramco Americas. Grants are awarded under the authority of the Coral Reef Conservation Act (16 U.S. Code § 6407), and the initiative aligns with conservation strategies outlined by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and the NFWF Hawaii Business Plan. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit and for-profit entities, state and local governments, tribal governments, and institutions of higher education. Federal agencies, individuals, and international applicants are not eligible. Proposed projects must occur within U.S. coral jurisdictions including American Samoa, CNMI, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Projects conducted in international locations are explicitly ineligible. Applications may request funding amounts ranging from $80,000 to $300,000, depending on the scope and scale of proposed activities. Matching funds are not required but are strongly encouraged and considered in proposal evaluation. The fund prioritizes projects that directly implement strategies identified in the NFWF Coral Reefs Strategy and jurisdiction-specific restoration action plans. Activities may fall under two overarching categories: threat reduction to priority reef sites and enhancement of coral reef restoration capacity. Threat reduction efforts may include stream restoration, reforestation, and pollution control to mitigate sediment and nutrient runoff. Fisheries management and community-based monitoring programs are also key elements. Restoration capacity-building efforts may include response planning for marine disturbances, support for coral outplanting, mechanized restoration techniques, and the creation of support organizations such as "friend groups" to aid government conservation efforts. To apply, prospective applicants must first submit a pre-proposal by February 18, 2026. Select applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by April 16, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced in September 2026. All applications must be submitted through the NFWF Easygrants portal. Although not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to consult with local managers and NOAA regional program officers to enhance the relevance and feasibility of proposed work. Successful proposals will clearly outline conservation objectives, demonstrate coordination with local priorities, and include measurable performance metrics. Applicants are evaluated based on conservation outcomes, technical merit, community impact, and cost-effectiveness. Competitive proposals will demonstrate alignment with program goals, include feasible and scalable work plans, and provide evidence of collaboration with community partners. Awarded projects must comply with OMB Uniform Guidance and are subject to NFWF's standard grant award conditions, including requirements for spatial data submission and clear documentation of proposed work locations. Questions regarding the grant opportunity should be directed to Michelle Pico at [email protected]. Technical support for the Easygrants system is available through the Easygrants Helpdesk. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the RFP guidance materials and tip sheets available on the NFWF website before preparing their submissions.

Engage local managers early; Align with NFWF strategies and local jurisdictional plans; Provide clear spatial and outcome metrics