FY21-22 CRCP State and Territorial Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements | NOAA NOS OCM 2021 2006566

FY21-22 CRCP State and Territorial Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements (NOAA) - FAQs

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY21-22 CRCP State and Territorial Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements funding announcement from NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. It supports on-the-ground coral reef management, monitoring, and conservation work in key U.S. reef jurisdictions.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is designed to strengthen jurisdiction-led efforts that measurably improve the condition of coral reef ecosystem resources. The emphasis is on practical conservation work, including management and monitoring programs and targeted conservation projects.

What legal authority does this program operate under?

The opportunity operates under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.

Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?

These awards are cooperative agreements, not simple pass-through grants. NOAA expects to be actively involved in planning and implementing the funded work alongside recipients.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only certain government resource management agencies are eligible: state, territorial, and commonwealth agencies that are formally designated by their Governors as the primary point-of-contact for coral reef conservation in their jurisdictions.

Which jurisdictions are eligible under this announcement?

The eligible jurisdictions named are American Samoa, Florida, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How many awards does NOAA expect to make?

The announcement anticipates making about seven awards, aligning with the seven jurisdictions listed as eligible.

What is the opportunity number and CFDA number?

The opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCM 2021 2006566. The CFDA number associated with the program is 11.482.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity record lists a creation date of June 16, 2020.

What are the major submission steps and deadlines?

The process is staged with multiple deadlines and submission methods: (1) Project Lists by email (due August 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET), (2) Pre-applications by email (due October 8, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET), and (3) Final applications via Grants.gov (due February 11, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET).

Where do applicants send the Project Lists?

Project Lists must be submitted by email to the appropriate NOAA Coral Reef Management Liaison (as referenced in the announcement) and to Craig.A.Reid@noaa.gov by the stated deadline.

Where do applicants send the pre-application?

Pre-applications must be emailed to coral.grants@noaa.gov, with a copy to the applicant's NOAA Coral Reef Management Liaison.

What is included in the pre-application?

The pre-application consists of application elements 1 through 3. Federal financial assistance forms are not required at the pre-application stage.

How is the final application submitted?

Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by the stated deadline.

There are two different final application closing dates mentioned. Which one should applicants follow?

The opportunity record lists an original closing date of February 22, 2021, but the narrative instructions emphasize February 11, 2021 for final submissions. Based on the provided information, the narrative instructions highlight February 11, 2021 as the key final submission deadline.

How much total funding is expected to be available?

For FY 2021, total program funding is expected to range from roughly $3.5 million to $4.5 million, contingent on Congressional appropriations.

What is the expected award size per applicant?

Individual applicants are generally expected to request between $300,000 and $900,000 per year, depending on their capacity to carry out the proposed work. The anticipated average annual award is around $575,000.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $900,000.

Is a cost share or match required?

Funding is described as "matching" financial assistance, indicating recipients are expected to provide some level of non-federal match consistent with CRCP requirements.

Is funding guaranteed for FY 2022?

No. Continued support into FY 2022 is not guaranteed. It depends on future funding availability, the recipient's ability to properly manage federal funds, and performance during the first year of the award (and performance on past awards, where applicable).

What types of activities does NOAA intend to fund?

NOAA indicates funds are intended to support priority coral reef management activities described in the Federal Funding Opportunity (referenced as Section I.B.). While the provided text does not list the priorities, the focus is clearly on practical coral reef management, monitoring, and targeted conservation projects aimed at maintaining and improving reef condition.

What kind of funding is this (competitive/discretionary)?

The opportunity is classified as discretionary funding.

What broad categories does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity falls under environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development activity categories.

What does NOAA's "active involvement" mean in practice?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, NOAA expects to be involved in planning and implementing the funded work with the recipient, rather than only providing funds and oversight from a distance.

Does the program fund "on-the-ground" work?

Yes. The announcement specifically describes support for on-the-ground coral reef management, monitoring, and conservation work in the eligible jurisdictions.

Is the availability of funds dependent on anything outside NOAA?

Yes. Funding is contingent on Congressional appropriations.