NOAA coral reef conservation program earmark project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $963,000 in federal funding to the national coral reef…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $1.926 million under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) to Nova Southeastern University's National Coral Reef Institute to expand and optimize coral nursery operations. Under the grant, awarded March 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for February 29, 2028, the institute will retrofit an existing structure at Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Campus in Davie, Florida to create a state-of-the-art coral propagation facility. The project deliverables include construction of a specialized laboratory for culturing herbivorous crustaceans, microfragmenting corals, and fabricating or repairing structures for offshore nursery operations and coral outplanting activities.

This infrastructure investment directly supports the optimization and upscaling of coral propagation operations, enabling the National Coral Reef Institute to enhance its capacity for coral restoration and reef conservation work. The Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program provides federal funding for marine and atmospheric science research, education, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation initiatives, with typical award periods of one to five years and funding amounts generally ranging from $500,000 to $5 million.

NOAA coral reef conservation program earmark project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $963,000 in federal funding to the national coral reef institute housed at nova southeastern university in dania beach, florida for a project titled coral nursery center. Specifically, the national coral reef institute will use these funds to expand its coral nursery facilities to complete a state-of-the-art coral center at nsus oceanographic campus. This project will allow for optimization and upscaling of coral propagation operations. The project will retrofit an existing structure to create a laboratory for culturing herbivorous crustaceans, microfragmenting corals, and building and repairing structures for offshore nursery and coral outplanting activities.