Funder: DOC NOAA - ERA Production
Due Dates: June 13, 2025 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $600,000 total; max $400,000 per priority; project duration up to 3 years; 1:1 non-federal match required unless waived.
Summary: Supports Hawaii-based organizations in developing sustainable coral reef fisheries management plans and related science, in partnership with state and local entities.
Key Information: Applicants must have a physical presence and partnerships in Hawaii, and provide evidence of state support; three federal registrations required before applying.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, provides funding to support the creation and implementation of Sustainable Coral Reef Fisheries Management Plans (CR-FMPs) across the Hawaiian Islands. The program aims to advance state and national management goals by supporting technical writing, decision-making tools, and management-driven scientific research in partnership with the State of Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and local Navigator Teams. The focus is on technical support for CR-FMPs for Lana‘i, Hawai‘i Island, Kauai, and Oahu, as well as scientific research to inform future management decisions under the Holomua Marine Initiative.
Due Dates
- Full Application Deadline: June 13, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time (via Grants.gov)
- Anticipated Award Notification: October 2025
- Earliest Start Date: February 1, 2026
Funding Amount
- Total Available: Approximately $600,000 (subject to federal appropriations)
- Award Size: Up to $600,000 in federal funds per award; no more than $400,000 per priority area
- Number of Awards: Up to 2
- Project Duration: Up to 36 months (3 years)
- Cost Share: 1:1 non-federal match required (waivers possible with justification)
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants:
- Nongovernmental organizations or research institutions with demonstrated expertise in coral reef conservation or restoration (practice or research)
- Coral reef research centers designated by NOAA CRCP
- Regional fishery management councils under the Magnuson-Stevens Act
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profits, and higher education institutions (public, private, or state-controlled)
- Additional Requirements:
- Must have a physical presence and long-term partnerships in Hawaii
- Demonstrated experience working with government, nonprofits, universities, and Hawaiian organizations
- Must provide evidence of support (e.g., letter of support) from appropriate state representatives
- Must complete and maintain registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons before application submission (allow 4–6 weeks for registration)
Application Process
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by the deadline.
- Required Registrations: SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons (including at least one Signing Official and one PD/PI account)
- Application Components:
- Project narrative (max 10 pages, single-spaced)
- SF-424 forms (Application for Federal Assistance, Budget, Assurances, etc.)
- Budget narrative and justification
- Appendices (resumes, evidence of support, data management plan, etc.; max 15 pages)
- Data Management Plan (up to 2 pages)
- List and status of required permits/approvals
- Match waiver request (if applicable)
- Review Criteria:
- Relevance to program goals and priorities
- Technical/scientific merit
- Qualifications of applicants and partners
- Budget reasonableness and detail
- Outreach and education/community engagement
Additional Information
- Program Priorities:
- Priority 1: Technical support and writing for CR-FMPs and evaluation plans for up to three islands
- Priority 2: Science and tools to inform management decisions (e.g., market-sampling for key reef species, lobster population assessments, mullet stock enhancement feasibility)
- State Support: Projects must have evidence of support from the State of Hawaii (DAR or other relevant jurisdiction) before final selection.
- Matching Funds: 1:1 non-federal match required; waivers are possible but must be justified.
- Reporting: Semi-annual financial and technical reports required; final report due 120 days after project end.
- Ineligible Projects: Legally required mitigation, natural resource damage mitigation, or activities required by consent decree/court order/statute/regulation.
External Links
Contact Information
For technical or administrative questions, contact Craig Reid at the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program.