National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grant Opportunities Supporting Coral Reef Conservation Coral Grants Workshop August 4, 2005 St. Thomas, USVI

NOAA Grant Programs - Overview Sixteen funding opportunities for activities that help address the conservation and management of coral reef ecosystems Funding for local, state and Federal Government agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions Funds for projects and activities in U.S. states, territories and commonwealths, Freely Associated States, and international sites

Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program Six funding categories Each category has specific applicant eligibility and funding priorities –State and Territory Coral Reef Management –State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring –Coral Reef Ecosystem Research* –General Coral Reef Conservation –Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans –International Coral Reef Conservation

Funding announcements Approximately $7.3 million recommended for FY2006 awards Separate FFO’s published for each program category at Pre-applications due Nov. 15, 2005 through Final applications due Mar. 3, 2006 through

General Conservation Grants FY 2006 Priorities: Monitoring and assessment of coral reefs or reef resources Socio-economic assessments and resource valuation Marine Protected Areas and associated management activities Coral reef restoration Public education and outreach activities Local action strategy projects Fisheries management and enforcement

General Conservation Grants Projects for work in U.S. waters and the Freely Associated States (FAS) Eligibility: Any applicants except State and Territory government agencies Typical Award = $15,000-$50,000 Projects expected to be Funded = 14 Match Requirement = 1:1

International Conservation Grants FY 2006 Priorities: Promote watershed management of the wider Caribbean, Brazil, and Bermuda Enhance effectiveness of MPA management Encourage the development of national systems of MPA's in the wider Caribbean, Bermuda, Brazil, and Southeast Asia Promote regional socio-economic training and monitoring in coral reef management in the wider Caribbean, Bermuda, Brazil, East Africa, South Pacific and Southeast Asia

International Conservation Grants Projects for work at non - U.S. sites All international, governmental* and non- governmental organizations and academic institutions can apply Typical Award = $35,000-$80,000 Projects expected to be Funded = Match Requirement = 1:1

State and Territory Coral Reef Management Grants Cooperative agreements with Governor- appointed point of contact agencies in 7 jurisdictions Support state and territorial conservation of coral reef and coral reef fishery management resources through priority activities described in the USCRTF National Coral Reef Action Strategy

Coral Reef Management Grants Typical Award = $250,000-$600,000 with a 1:1 match requirement Applicants may submit multi-year applications covering a 12 to 36- month period A minimum of 40% of the final award must be dedicated to implementation of Local Action Strategies (LAS)

State and Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Grants Support long term monitoring of key biotic and abiotic parameters for monitoring at local sites: Benthic habitat characterization Associated biological community structure including fish condition and large motile and sessile invertebrates condition Water/substrate quality

Coral Ecosystem Monitoring Grants Typical Award = $10,000-$250,000 with a 1:1 match requirement Eligibility limited to Governor-appointed point of contact agencies in 7 U.S. jurisdictions and FAS Proposed work should include multi-organizational partnerships that build local capacity for maintaining long-term monitoring sites Multi-year applications may cover a 12 to 36- month period

Grants to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans Cooperative agreements to support projects that reduce the adverse impacts of fishing and other extractive uses within coral reef ecosystems and incorporate conservation and sustainable management measures into existing or new Federal fishery management plans for coral reef species Eligibility is limited to Regional Fishery Management Councils Typical Award = $175,000-$525,000 with no match required

Grants to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans Identification, mapping and characterization of EFH, HAPC, or reef fish spawning aggregation sites Monitoring reef fish stocks Efforts to reduce overfishing of coral reef resources Identification and reduction of adverse effects of fishing gear, including the elimination of destructive and habitat-damaging fishing practices Assessment of the adequacy of current coral reef fishing regulations Education and outreach efforts to recreational and commercial fishers Ecosystem-scale studies and inclusion of ecosystem approaches into coral reef FMP’s

Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Grants FY 2006 Priorities: Research on overfishing Research on pollution Research on invasive species Research on the impact of stressors on coral reef ecosystems The evaluation of management effectiveness is encouraged

Ecosystem Research Grants Projects for work at any site in the Caribbean Eligible applicants are U.S. academic institutions, not-for profit institutions, and state, local and Indian tribal governments Typical Award = $10,000-$70,000 (1 to 2 yr projects) Projects expected to be Funded = Match Requirement = 1:1 Administered through NOAA NURP – next call for proposals expected Spring 2007

Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC) One of six research centers under NOAA’s Undersea Research Program (NURP) Solicits proposals for undersea research in the wider Caribbean region on a 2-year funding cycle FY2006 research priority on examinations of the effectiveness of ‘no-take’ marine protected areas Small amounts of funding also available for initial development of research programs

Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC) Priority areas for research operations are Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible applicants are U.S. academic institutions, not-for profit institutions, and state, local and Indian tribal governments Typical Award = $10,000-$70,000 with no match requirement FY06 - final proposals due Aug. 1, 2005 for funding to begin Feb. 1, 2006 RFP for FY08 funding cycle expected in Spring 2007

Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (CCRI) Sponsor: Puerto Rico DNER and University of Puerto Rico Supports scientific research and monitoring of Puerto Rico’s coral reef ecosystems FY 2006 priorities: –Basic Assessment of Resources –Understanding Reef Processes –Research to enhance the MPA process –Water quality and coral reef health –Dynamics of coral disease syndromes

Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (CCRI) Typical Award = $30,000-50,000 for 1-2 yr projects (larger budgets may be considered) Projects expected to be Funded = No match is required but leveraging is encouraged Eligible applicants are U.S. academic institutions, not- for profit institutions, and state, local government agencies FY06 - final proposals due Aug. 1, 2005 for funding to begin Oct. 1, 2006 RFP for FY08 funding cycle expected in Spring 2007

Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) Sponsor: NOAA’s Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) Projects to increase the understanding of the underlying processes, on a regional scale, that regulate coral reefs and associated ecosystems FY2006 Focus: –Shallow water ecosystem research in priority locations (Pacific Islands and West FL shelf) –Deepwater hermatypic coral reef systems (50-100m)

Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) Deep CRES priorities: –Understanding of ecosystem processes that regulate in deepwater hermatypic coral reef systems ( m), –Examining the potential for deep reefs to serve as refugia for shallow water species –Examining vulnerability to exploitation and human disturbance Funding must be used to directly support resource management decisions Development of a predictive models as a component of the research study is required

Deep CRES Grants Typical Award = $500,000/year for 1-3 yr projects Projects expected to be Funded = 2-3 Multi-disciplinary team proposals involving natural and social sciences and participation by various resource managers are recommended No match is required but leveraging is encouraged Applications due – October 3, 2005 Apply through Grants.gov

Community-based Restoration Grant Program The Community-based Restoration Program provides funding to catalyze the implementation of locally-driven, grass-roots habitat restoration projects that will benefit living marine resources, including anadromous fish. Priority consideration given to: –Restoration of habitats whose regional condition is compromised due to loss, degradation, fragmentation, presence of invasive species, or loss of functionality. –Restoration of habitats found to be socio-economically important with regard to commercial (e.g., fisheries) and recreational use, aesthetic and stewardship value, and essential fish habitat. –Project proposals that incorporate proven restoration techniques, address causes of habitat degradation/loss, and maximize cost benefits.

Community-based Restoration Grant Program Typical Award = $50,000 - $200,000 Projects expected to be Funded = A 1:1 applicant match is strongly encouraged Broad US and international applicant eligibility Applications due – October 12, 2005 Apply through Grants.gov

Marine Debris Program Marine Debris Program (MDP)provides funding to catalyze the implementation of locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources including anadromous fish. FY2006 Priorities: –Marine debris removal –Marine debris prevention –Monitoring –Outreach and Education

Marine Debris Program Expected award size = $15,000 - $100,000 Projects expected to be Funded = A 1:1 applicant match is strongly encouraged Broad US and international applicant eligibility Successful applications will be collaborative efforts and provide quantitative reporting of project activities Applications due – October 12, 2005 Apply through Grants.gov

Sea Grant Funding opportunities through Puerto Rico Sea Grant and National Sea Grant Proposals solicited for 2-year funding cycles Eligibility: Public and private institutions of higher education, institutes, laboratories, and public or private agencies FY06-07 funding cycle closed Next call for proposals for FY08-09 cycle –September 2006 for UPR –June 2006 for National Sea Grant

UPR Seed Money for Research Purpose: to jump start students and faculty members in a promising and innovative line of research in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FY2006 priorities included coastal community development, open ocean mariculture, economic valuation of coastal resources, conservation and restoration of habitats, ecosystem health, and water quality. Typical Award = $3,500/yr for 2 years Projects Funded = 5 No match is required but leveraging and partnerships are encouraged

UPR Competitive Marine Research Program FY2006 priorities included: –Coastal Hazards and Safety –Water Quality –Fisheries and Mariculture –Coastal Community and Sustainable Resource Development –Seafood Safety Typical Award = $20,000-$80,000/yr for 2 years Projects Funded = 9-10 Match requirement = 1/3 of requested Federal funds

Aquatic and Invasive Species The National Sea Grant College Program funds research and outreach projects addressing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species. FY2006 priorities included: –Biology and Life History of nonindigenous species –Effects on ecosystems –Socioeconomic analysis (costs and benefits) –Control and mitigation –Preventing new introductions –Reducing the spread of established populations

Aquatic and Invasive Species Funding for FY06-07 cycle: –Approximately $3,900,000 was to support invasive species research projects –Approximately $1,700,000 supported invasive species outreach projects Match requirement = 1/2 of requested Federal funds

GIS Integration & Development Solicits proposals for 1 to 2-year cooperative agreements to jointly develop pilot projects and products that will provide geospatial tools and data to support resource managers FY 2006 priorities: –Provide solutions to issues related to coastal hazards such as erosion, pollution, oil spills, HAB's, hurricanes –to improve understanding of stormwater impacts and to foster better planning and mitigation strategies

GIS Integration & Development CSC provides support with project management, developing models and specialized GIA applications, QC support, metadata strategies, web site development Eligible applicants are U.S. and international academic institutions, not-for profit institutions, and state, local government agencies Federal agencies may be project partners

GIS Integration & Development Typical Award = $150,000 for 2 yr cooperative agreements Projects expected to be Funded = 2 No match is required but leveraging is encouraged FY 2006 Applications due – October 3, 2005 Submit applications through Grants.gov