FY 2025-2029 Reef Research Coordinating Institute Designation and Cooperative Agreements
This funding opportunity is designed for U.S. higher education and nonprofit organizations previously designated as Coral Reef Research Centers to establish institutes that will enhance research, monitoring, and management of coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) is offering funding to establish two Reef Research Coordination Institutes (RRCIs) through cooperative agreements. These institutes, designated as the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination Institute and the Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute, will support research, restoration, and management of shallow-water coral reef ecosystems across U.S. states and territories. This NOFO outlines a five-year initial performance period, with a potential renewal for another five years based on program success and available funding. Only applicants previously designated as Coral Reef Research Centers (CRRC) are eligible to apply. The RRCIs will focus on three key areas: research, monitoring, and capacity building within their respective oceanic basins. Objectives include filling coral reef ecosystem research gaps, enhancing ecological monitoring, and supporting jurisdictional capacity through training, public education, and partnership-building with federal and local entities. RRCIs will also assist with national and regional strategies for coral reef resilience, engage in public outreach, and help translate scientific findings into actionable management practices. NOAA anticipates a funding ceiling of $4.5 million annually, with the total funding for each institute over the five-year period potentially reaching $22.5 million. Applicants may apply for the full amount but will be awarded based on project alignment with CRCP objectives, the quality of the proposed activities, and demonstrated progress toward research and capacity-building goals. Institutions eligible for these funds include U.S. higher education and nonprofit organizations designated as CRRCs. Cost-sharing is not required, though voluntary contributions are encouraged. Applications are due by January 31, 2025, and must be submitted through Grants.gov. A complete application includes a project narrative, budget, and detailed descriptions of the RRCI’s qualifications, proposed activities, and expected outcomes. Specific forms, such as the SF-424 series and a Data Management Plan, must also be completed. To address NOAA’s commitment to inclusivity, applicants are required to demonstrate how their programs will engage underrepresented groups. Furthermore, applicants must complete registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons prior to submission, a process that can take several weeks. NOAA will evaluate applications based on their alignment with program goals, technical merit, applicant qualifications, project costs, and outreach plans. Applications will undergo a merit-based review and may be scored by a panel of experts. Funding decisions will also consider factors like geographic balance, project type, and applicant performance history. Selected applicants may be required to adjust project scope, budgets, and work plans before finalizing awards. For assistance, NOAA will hold a webinar on November 6, 2024, and applicants may submit questions to NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program until the deadline. Successful applicants will be notified by NOAA but will only receive formal confirmation after approval by the Grants Officer, at which point project activities can officially commence.
Award Range
Not specified - $4,500,000
Total Program Funding
$22,500,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Eligible applicants are limited to the following institutes of higher education and nonprofits designated as coral reef research centers under the Coral Reef Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 6411(b)): American Samoa Community College Arizona State University Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science Caribbean Coral Reef Institute Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and Conservation, University of Puerto Rico Coral Restoration Foundation Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative Florida Atlantic University Florida Institute of Oceanography at Key Marine Laboratory Florida Institute of Technology Florida International University Hawaii Marine Education Research Center Hawaii Sea Grant Institute of Socio Ecological Research Mote Marine Laboratory National Coral Reef Institute at Nova Southeastern University Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science Plant A Million Corals Foundation The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii and Palmyra The Nature Conservancy, Puerto Rico Program The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy, USVI Coral Innovation Hub University of Florida Sea Grant University of Florida University of Guam Marine Laboratory University of Hawaii at Hilo Department of Marine Science University of Hawaii at Hilo, Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis (MEGA) Lab University of Hawaii Systems University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science University of Puerto Rico, Department of Marine Sciences University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus Marine Biology Program University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez University of the Virgin Islands The Pacific Reef Research Coordinating Institute must be located within American Samoa, Guam, or Hawaii. The Atlantic Reef Research Coordinating Institute must be located within Florida, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Only one CRRC in each basin will receive a RRCI designation and financial assistance award. In the event that a consortium of CRRCs submits a single application, the designation and award will reside with the submitting CRRC and that CRRC will be solely responsible for the awards administration. To be eligible to apply or receive an award, applicant organizations must complete and maintain three registrations: SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. For each, the complete registration process can take 4 to 6 weeks. For more information on how to meet these registration and application submission requirements without errors, we advise all to carefully review relevant Applicant and Grantee Training modules: https://www.commerce.gov/ocio/programs/gems/applicant-and-grantee-training. Additionally, we advise that all carefully read Additional Application Package Forms within the Full Proposal Required Elements section below. NOAA employees are not permitted to assist in the preparation of applications. NOAA CRCP staff are available to provide general information on programmatic goals and objectives, ongoing coral reef conservation programs/activities, and regional funding priorities. For proposals that involve collaboration with current NOAA projects or staff, NOAA employees may provide a limited statement verifying the nature and extent of the collaboration and confirming prior coordination activities. Letters of support from NOAA employees are not allowable and will not be included among the application materials considered by merit reviewers. Federal agencies and employees are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement, but may serve as collaborative project partners. If federal agencies are collaborators, applicants are expected to provide detail on the planned level of federal engagement in the application. Examples may include, but are not limited to, partnership services, serving in a review capacity, or participating in priority task teams, working groups, or leadership teams. DOC/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
October 17, 2024
Application Closes
January 31, 2025
Subscribe to view contact details