Coral Reef Conservation Program | NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007044

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007044

The Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) grant opportunity (NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007044; CFDA 11.482) is a discretionary NOAA funding announcement under the U.S. Department of Commerce that would be awarded as a cooperative agreement. It is authorized under Section 6403 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 6401-6409) and is intended to launch or strengthen partnerships that support coral reef conservation priorities across the U.S. coral reef jurisdictions. Funding is contingent on federal appropriations, but NOAA indicated that roughly $1,000,000 total was expected to be available in FY 2022 to initiate partnerships with up to ten organizations.

The program is structured to support projects that directly benefit the seven U.S. coral reef states and territories: Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Applicants can propose a single broad proposal that covers all seven jurisdictions, several regionally focused proposals (Pacific Islands and/or Atlantic/Caribbean), and/or proposals aligned with national priorities, in any combination. NOAA anticipated selecting at least one project and no more than two projects to benefit each jurisdiction when looking across the final portfolio of funded proposals. International work can be included only if it is paid for with non-federal match funds, is closely comparable to domestic work, and is clearly linked to U.S. efforts; however, that international component is not a priority for selection.

Projects may be proposed for up to 24 months. Budgets are expected to fall within a wide band (about $50,000 to $750,000) depending on the number and scope of projects included in an application, with an award ceiling of $750,000. The announcement also sets practical per-jurisdiction limits: applicants may request up to $90,000 per benefiting state or territory (the exact maximum depends on how many jurisdictions the proposal serves), and up to $150,000 for a national capacity-building project. While the notice mentions expected awards, the main takeaway is that NOAA planned to make a limited number of selections, balancing coverage across jurisdictions and priorities.

A key requirement is the statutory non-federal match. Recipients must provide at least a 1:1 match to NOAA federal funds (one dollar of non-federal contributions for every federal dollar), unless the applicant requests a waiver and NOAA approves it. Finally, the announcement notes that funding beyond the first year is not guaranteed and generally depends on future Congressional appropriations, NOAA/CRCP priorities at that time, and the recipient's performance during the initial year of the award.

Eligible applicants include state, county, and city/township governments; federally recognized tribal governments; 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education under the listed eligibility); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on February 11, 2022. Letters of Intent were optional but strongly encouraged, due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 10, 2021, submitted by email to ltcoral.grants@noaa.gov, with the note that late LOIs would not be reviewed for feedback.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Coral Reef Conservation Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.482.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 20, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 11, 2022 Full applications MUST be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov by 1159 PM Eastern Time on Friday, February 11, 2022 to be considered for funding.Letters of Intent (LOIs) are optional but strongly recommended, and should be submitted no later than 1159 PM Eastern Time on Friday, December 10, 2021 by email ltcoral.grants@noaa.govgt. LOIs submitted after this date will not be reviewed by the relevant agency for feedback.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007044

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: