Edited_NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2024-2008163 NOFO Report.pdf

2024 Effects of Sea Level Rise (ESLR)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 5 A. Program Objective 5 B. Program Priorities 8 C. Program Authority 18

II. Award Information 18 A. Funding Availability 18 B. Project/Award Period 19 C. Type of Funding Instrument 20

III. Eligibility Information 22 A. Eligible Applicants 22 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 23 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 23

IV. Application and Submission Information 23 A. Address to Request Application Package 23 B. Content and Form of Application 24 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 35 D. Submission Dates and Times 35 E. Intergovernmental Review 36 F. Funding Restrictions 36 G. Other Submission Requirements 36

V. Application Review Information 38 A. Evaluation Criteria 38 B. Review and Selection Process 39 C. Selection Factors 41 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 42

VI. Award Administration Information 43 A. Award Notices 43 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 43 C. Reporting 55

VII. Agency Contacts 59 VIII. Other Information 59

Notice of Federal Funding Page 1 of 60

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name(s): National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: 2024 Effects of Sea Level Rise (ESLR)

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2024-2008163

Federal Assistance Listings Number: 11.478, Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research - Coastal Ocean Program

Dates: An informational webinar on this opportunity will be offered at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time about 1-2 weeks after the notice of funding release via the ESLR website:

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/climate-change/ecological-effects-sea-level-rise-program/

Program manager office hours will be listed at the ESLR website above; program managers can also be directly contacted (see Section VII for agency contact information).

The required letters of intent (LOI) should be sent by e-mail to nccos.grant.awards@noaa.gov and must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 13, 2023. Responses to LOI’s should be expected within two weeks of LOI submission, no later than November 27, 2023.

Full applications must be received and validated by Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 24, 2024. Electronic submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.

Investigators are advised to submit full applications well in advance of the deadline as a precaution against unanticipated delays. Applicants must register with Grants.gov before submitting application materials. When developing your submission timeline, keep in mind the following information regarding application submission on Grants.gov:

1. Grants.gov requires applicants to complete a free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM), which may take between three and five business days or as long as several weeks to process as described in Section IV.G. of this Announcement.

2. Applicants must be registered with eRA Commons as described in Section IV.G. of this

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Announcement. Registering with eRA Commons can take up to four weeks to process.

Applicants are encouraged to register with eRA Commons as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

3. If you submit a full application via Grants.gov, you will receive a series of email notifications for up to two business days before learning via validation or rejection whether NOAA has received your application.

If use of Grants.gov is not feasible, contact the NCCOS Grants Administrator (see Section VII for contact information) as soon as possible and no later than a week before the due date to assess whether alternative arrangements can be made.

Funding Opportunity Description: The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)/Competitive Research Program (CRP) [formerly Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research/Coastal Ocean Program] is soliciting proposals for the Effects of Sea Level Rise (ESLR) program. The ESLR program name was shortened in 2020, and was formerly known as the Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise Program (EESLR). This solicitation is to improve adaptation and planning in response to regional and local effects of sea level rise (SLR) and coastal inundation through targeted research on nature-based solutions (NBS), physical and biological processes, testing mitigation strategies for implementation, and model evaluation. The overall goal of the ESLR Program is to facilitate informed adaptation planning and coastal management decisions through funding multidisciplinary research that results in integrated models capable of evaluating vulnerability and resilience under multiple SLR, inundation, and management scenarios.

Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2024 Federal appropriations. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2024 start date.

Total funding for this research:

This funding solicitation will have two focal areas, with one focus remaining more general (i.e., General Coastal Resilience focus area) and a second with a clear focus on meeting the needs of the Alaska region (i.e., Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area).

It is anticipated that approximately $4,000,000 may be available across Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 for the first year of projects in each focus area selected from this opportunity.

Approximately 2-4 projects of 2-4 years in duration are expected to be funded under the

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General Coastal Resilience focus area at a level of approximately $200,000 to $400,000 per year per proposal, with a total budget (across all years) that is less than $1,600,000.

Approximately 1-2 projects of 2-4 years in duration are expected to be funded under the Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area at a level of approximately $200,000 to $500,000 per year per proposal, with a total budget (across all years) that is less than $2,000,000.

NOAA encourages applicants and awardees to support the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work. Diversity is defined as the mixture of the unique attributes that shape an individual’s identity which they bring into the workplace to help NOAA accomplish its goals (NOAA 2020). Diversity refers to demographic diversity (e.g., race, gender, and sexual orientation), experiential diversity (e.g., affinities, hobbies, and abilities), and cognitive diversity (e.g., sensory processing and problem solving).

Equity is defined as the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment (The White House 2021, Exec. Order No. 13985 2021). Inclusion is defined as a culture that values the unique attributes of all team members. Inclusion is an environment that is respectful, collaborative, supportive, and one that allows for equal access (NOAA 2020).

Inclusion requires active and intentional engagement on the part of everyone and provides a feeling of belonging. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion improves creativity, productivity, and the vitality of the research community in which NOAA engages.

Electronic Access: Proposals should be submitted through Grants.gov, http://www.grants.gov.

Sign up to receive any potential amendments to this Announcement via www.grants.gov.

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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

1. Overview of the NCCOS Competitive Research Program

The Competitive Research Program (CRP), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), supports the development of actionable information and tools that improve how the nation protects, manages, and conserves ocean and coastal ecosystems. NCCOS/CRP funds regional-scale and targeted research through a competitive, peer-reviewed process to address our Nation’s most pressing issues including harmful algal blooms and hypoxia research as authorized under the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act, coastal resiliency, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, mesophotic coral ecosystems, and effective ecosystem-based management.

Research supported by NCCOS/CRP seeks to produce actionable information and user-driven products that will enable resource managers to assess management and policy strategies, as well as increase scientific understanding on issues threatening ecosystems and communities. To accomplish this, NCCOS/CRP emphasizes a collaborative research process that involves resource managers, planners, policymakers, and impacted communities as research project partners or advisors. To ensure useful results, NCCOS/CRP requires articulation of outcomes that benefit management in proposals, and recipients must report progress toward achieving outcome-based goals annually (see Section IV.B.).

2. Effects of Sea Level Rise Program Objectives and Terminology

a. Responding to the growing problem of SLR and coastal flooding impacts:

Rising sea level represents a significant threat to coastal ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure through land loss, altered habitats, and increased vulnerability to coastal storms, nuisance flooding, and wave actions such as wave run-up, wave forces, wave induced buoyancy, and erosion. Trends in increasing coastal sea level have been well documented and are expected to continue increasing, if not accelerate, in the coming decades (Sweet et al. 2022). While global consequences of SLR provide a

Notice of Federal Funding Page 5 of 60 sobering assessment for possible coastal conditions in the future, significant variability in the rates of SLR and the impacts to coastal communities and ecosystems at the regional and local levels exists. The actual impact from changing sea levels in a region varies substantially as a function of shoreline geomorphology, ecosystem type, level of development, and human response (e.g., beach nourishment, setbacks) to changes. Damages and economic losses experienced by coastal communities could be reduced with improved knowledge on the potential extent and impacts of SLR and inundation, as well as options for mitigation and adaptation (Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience 2016, FEMA 2021).

In recognition of the need to facilitate increased coastal resiliency and improve adaptation and mitigation capabilities, numerous informational reports and tools have been produced to provide guidance to scientists, managers, and communities. The ESLR Program aims to contribute to this information, delivering effective information to guide policy, land management decisions, and infrastructure design. Where appropriate, projects should build on existing information sources used by the end-user community before developing new outputs including tools and interactive applications.

b. Effects of Sea Level Rise Program:

Providing the scientific foundation for coastal decision making, particularly related to SLR and coastal flooding is a high priority need identified by NOAA.

To address this need, NCCOS’s ESLR Program has sought to develop a suite of science information, products, and tools required to assess coastal vulnerability and solutions to SLR and inundation at a local and regional scale. Application of these tools allows for improved coastal planning, management, mitigation, and ecosystem restoration in response to SLR and inundation.

The ESLR Program was initiated in 2005. ESLR supports awards around the country that have a focus on determining the potential for implementing Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for coastal protection and ecosystem services across many different coastal habitat types. A description of the program and a detailed explanation of all past and current projects can be found at:

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/research/coastal-change/ecologicaleffects-sea-level-rise-program.

c. Nature-based Solutions for Mitigation: Defining use of “NBS”

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The document uses the term Nature-based Solutions (NBS), which has gained traction as a means to enhance coastal resilience and mitigate the potential impacts of extreme events, SLR and inundation to coastal communities, while offering non-protective societal and ecosystem benefits (White House Interagency Workgroup 2022, White House Council on Environmental Quality 2022). Herein NBS is used; however, natural and nature-based features (NNBF) and NBS are treated as interchangeable in this document and by the ESLR program. NBS refers to a spectrum of features from natural coastal ecosystems to nature-based features that utilize a combination of natural and human engineered features to create a ‘hybrid’ shoreline (White House Council on Environmental Quality 2022). For this NOFO, natural features includes existing forests, wetlands, floodplains, dunes systems, seagrasses, barrier islands, reefs, sea ice, tundra, coastal marshes and beach systems, and coastal rivers that provide multiple benefits to communities, such as storm protection through wave attenuation or flood storage capacity and enhanced water services and security. Nature-based features (or green/grey infrastructure) are engineered systems that include a range of features like living shorelines or dunes with a buried sea wall.

Unlike hardened structures (e.g., bulkheads and groins), NBS are often living features that can adapt to changing conditions and may become more stable over time, while providing multiple ecological and socio-economic benefits to coastal communities and ecosystems (Bridges et al. 2021, White House Council on Environmental Quality 2022). In recent years, there has been considerable effort among multiple levels of government, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and private interests to advance the use of NBS (World Bank 2017, Pinson and White 2017). While there is a growing scientific literature quantifying the benefits of NBS in reducing wave energy, mitigating erosion, and reducing flooding, further quantification of their current and long-term capabilities and performance under a broad range of conditions is needed to improve decision-making on where and how to implement NBS. Examples of identified research gaps include:

1. the ability of NBS to enhance coastal resilience (or performance) during extreme and chronic events and how these benefits vary with coastal landscape variables such as topography, or bathymetry;

2. long-term performance of NBS under various scenarios of changes in sea

Notice of Federal Funding Page 7 of 60 level, precipitation patterns, and temperature;

3. a quantitative understanding of the biophysical, socioeconomic and behavioral factors that influence NBS production functions (e.g., influence of sedimentation and water flows, performance and protective benefits of natural systems, combined hybrid approaches, and sources of non-linearity in ecosystem function);

4. ecosystem service valuations to facilitate consistent, standardized monetary and nonmonetary valuation of NBS including benefits, co benefits and trade-offs of NBS versus other coastal protection approaches; and,

5. development of best practices on construction or restoration of NBS to enhance coastal resilience.

d. Defining the term “coastal decision makers”:

The term “coastal decision makers” will be used throughout to reference those that can utilize science to improve coastal resilience, including those that take part in planning, emergency management, foreshore and tidal land management, natural resource management, structural engineering, or policy implementation.

e. Defining the term “tribal government entities”:

The term “tribal government entities” will be used throughout to reference tribal governing bodies, consortia, corporations and organizations.

B. Program Priorities

NCCOS/CRP is soliciting proposals to evaluate and quantify the ability of NBS approaches to mitigate the effects of SLR and inundation (storm surge, nuisance flooding, and/or wave actions) in two focal areas, General Coastal Resilience and Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience. Although the term SLR is used in this document instead of relative sea level rise (i.e., localized SLR), projects are expected to use relative sea level rise rates that are scientifically supported and selected with support from end-users for the region of interest. Coastal resilience focuses broadly on mitigating impacts on coastal ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure. The impacts should be explored through integrated field research, and the application and

Notice of Federal Funding Page 8 of 60 advancement of predictive, dynamic models of physical, chemical, and biologic processes with that of SLR and/or coastal inundation effects. All proposals must consider NBS approaches, and results should be used to inform the use of NBS in mitigation and adaptation solutions.

For the General Coastal Resilience focus area, successful proposals should address the first two of the following research priorities, while priority three is optional:

1. advance or apply existing modeling approaches that are capable of predicting change to shoreline condition and the vulnerability of coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems under different SLR and inundation scenarios.

Shoreline condition may include: geomorphic setting, health of the natural systems, and anthropogenic additions made to the study area;

2. develop actionable information and products in collaboration with coastal decision makers to complete scenario-based evaluations of flood mitigation projects and/or implement land management and policy strategies that increase long term coastal resilience; and,

3. evaluate social, economic, and/or ecological benefits of coastal projects that include land management and NBS, policy actions, or plans, with a direct comparison of how well they protect communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems with respect to the risk of inundation under future SLR.

For the Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area, successful proposals should address any two of the following research priorities, with preference given to proposals addressing all three:

1. leverage existing and anticipated geospatial datasets (particularly newly available lidar and forthcoming VDatum) to advance modeling approaches (e.g.

coastal coupling) that are capable of predicting shoreline change;

2. advance and expand scenario-based modeling capabilities to incorporate climate impacts (e.g., SLR, changes in sea ice, permafrost degradation, etc.) and quantify the vulnerability of coastal communities, infrastructure, ecosystems, and subsistence resource use due to related changes in inundation and shoreline conditions; and,

3. enable informed planning and management actions that reduce the risk of

Notice of Federal Funding Page 9 of 60 inundation under various SLR and storm scenarios for coastal communities, including but not limited to shoreline protection via NBS or conventional grey infrastructure, realignment of infrastructure, expansion, safe evacuation development, relocation, or accommodation of inundation.

Additional Guidance for the General Coastal Resilience focus area:

For the General Coastal Resilience focus area, proposals incorporating predictive or scenario-based model applications should focus on the advancement of existing modeling platforms and/or community modeling systems used by NOAA and relevant partners (some found below in Expectations for Management Engagement). Advancements could include dynamic model integration or downscaling, enhanced parameterization, improved uncertainty estimates, expanded model utility in new locations, and/or module development required to assess and evaluate possible approaches to mitigate inundation. Novel application of existing approaches is encouraged, when appropriate. Novel modeling approaches will require significant justification and explicit end-user demand for funding consideration. Ecosystem service assessments of NBS must explicitly include coastal protection benefits provided by the feature. Community benefits could also include reducing the risk posed by coastal flooding and storms to loss of life or quality of life, including variables associated with recreational opportunities and open space, coastal economies, and emergency services. However, studies that solely consider benefits and/or ecosystem services that do not directly relate to SLR, shoreline change, and/or coastal flood protection will not be considered.

The most effective ecosystem service proposals will address both protective and non-protective aspects of NBS. Regional evaluations of suites of NBS approaches are preferred over a local focus.

The General Coastal Resilience focus area is open to all coastal regions of the United States and its territories. To the extent possible, proposals should complement and build on existing and emerging geospatial data and research where possible, including but not limited to past efforts involving state, local, or tribal resources, nongovernmental organizations, prior or ongoing ESLR projects, the NOAA Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications program, U.S. Geological Survey, Integrated Ocean Observing System, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and/or Sea Grant. Additionally, to the extent possible, proposals are encouraged to leverage existing funds for climate resilience (e.g., the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, etc.). Leveraging of data and capabilities associated with National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR), National Wildlife Refuges, and

Notice of Federal Funding Page 10 of 60 other protected areas are encouraged. Projects should not duplicate existing visualization applications if developing interactive tools. Priority will be given to proposals with direct relevance to informing projects that are, or could be, funded by programs including FEMA BRIC, NFWF NCRF, DOT PROTECT, and the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge.

Additional Guidance for Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area:

For the Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area, projects should support rural coastal communities in western Alaska by developing the scientific and community support infrastructure capable of 1) quantifying the vulnerability of coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems due to chronic SLR and acute storm-related inundation, 2) evaluating natural and conventional flood mitigation projects, and 3) developing a scenario-based approach to comparing various planning and management strategies. Proposals and LOI’s should outline a co-creation and extension approach for working iteratively with coastal decision makers and regional partners to inform decision making by federal or state agencies, local municipalities or city governments, or tribal government entities (inclusive of tribal governing bodies, consortia, corporations and organizations).

Projects should aim to foster long term collaboration beyond the project life. ESLR will seek to fund interdisciplinary teams that could include land managers and planners, as well as ecologists, physical scientists, engineers, and community partners. Strong connections to coastal decision makers and other end users of science in Alaska will be required. Priority will be given to teams with a demonstrated record of collaboration in the region and familiarity with existing geospatial datasets. More detailed descriptions of the targeted scientific advancements follow:

Although geospatial datasets and models have been lower resolution in Alaska over the last few decades than the rest of the continental United States, successful projects should leverage and advance existing and ongoing data and modeling where possible. For example, significant federal investments, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, are being directed towards advancing relocation efforts and adaptation planning across Alaska Native communities. While coastal inundation is poorly resolved in this region, and gaps in bathymetric data remain, the geospatial data (e.g, lidar and VDatum) needed to advance coupled coastal modeling are expected to expand into Alaska by the end of 2025. The west coast of Alaska comprises numerous Alaska Native Villages where community populations are often 500 people or fewer.

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Communities situated along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta’s coastal rivers and estuaries face particular challenges from coastal flooding and erosion, compounded by the region’s low lying topography, permafrost degradation, and land subsidence.

Successful projects will inform the analysis of coastal resilience options for Alaskan communities and should consider and anticipate the best available topographic data and accepted sea level rise projections for that region. Advancements may also be informative to pre-disaster event planning, spanning coastal areas into transportation corridors and potential relocation sites. While no datasets, approaches, or predictive model resolution will be required, these details should be described and defended.

Expectations for Management Engagement

In both focal areas, scientific outputs that support decision making that leads to increased coastal resilience are valued equally with the advancement of high level basic science, as designated by an equal scoring percentage for the evaluation criteria for Importance and Relevance and Technical/Scientific Merit (Section V).

Together these represent 70% of the scoring criteria. Proposals should apply a highly integrated and collaborative management science approach and outline a continuous engagement process with relevant end-users that clearly defines management linkages and drivers. The management linkages could include, but are not limited to: end-users serving on the project team, pre-project meetings, annual workshops, training on application of information or tools, and inclusion of selected managers on coordination calls where local and/or indigenous knowledge and natural resource management issues can help guide study objectives and methods. Successful proposals will work with relevant regional partners to ensure the study outlines management-relevant objectives at the proposal stage. We encourage the inclusion of a Management Transition Advisory Group (MTAG), composed of prospective end-users of the research project outputs, and/or a dedicated principle investigator focused on coordinating end-user engagement, though these are not required. The team should leverage existing groups to avoid overburdening end-users if appropriate, before creating a new MTAG.

For both focal areas, examples of possible results and outcomes of the ESLR Program applied and/or enhanced capabilities could include:

1. Advanced predictive approaches that are designed in collaboration with end-users to enable coastal managers/planners the ability to better evaluate the short- and long-term vulnerability of ecosystems, communities and

Notice of Federal Funding Page 12 of 60 infrastructure to SLR and inundation (Note that predicting future flood vulnerability alone is usually an insufficient output);

2. Models and information that will assist in evaluating the regional implications of policy options and the design, construction and adaptive management of restoration and/or NBS projects to mitigate inundation effects, in comparison to conventional (grey) flood mitigation approaches or realignment of infrastructure (Note that this often includes comparisons of performance under varying scenarios of application, inundation, and/or SLR);

3. Improved knowledge of the effectiveness, services, and sustainability of NBS under varying scenarios of application, inundation, and/or SLR;

4. Enhanced capabilities for quantifying changes in locally valued ecosystem services associated with anticipated impacts from SLR and coastal inundation in conjunction with NBS approaches, including recreational or subsistence resource use benefits; and,

5. Guidance and strategies for regional transition and application of integrated NBS features and/or metrics for objective evaluation of performance.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate the added value of the proposed work, partnerships, and, where possible, leverage related regional efforts (e.g., NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants and/or state/local initiatives). Finally, linkages to topically relevant partners with a known interest in the ESLR Program products are encouraged. These include, but are not limited to the following:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Through the IRA funded Climate-Ready Coasts and Communities initiatives, NOAA will work with state, local, and tribal governments, tribes, and tribal and Native organizations, NGOs, and the private sector in coastal and Great Lakes communities to develop and support durable, local capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, while growing economies, protecting fisheries, addressing environmental justice, and developing a climate-ready workforce. Funding opportunities supported by this initiative include, but are not limited to the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, Ocean-Based Climate Resilience Accelerators, Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants, and Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants.

Notice of Federal Funding Page 13 of 60 https://www.noaa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-climate-ready-coasts-and-communities

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Projects of Special Merit (PSM) is an annual NOAA program for state and territory coastal management programs to support innovative projects that enhance state and territories’ NOAA-approved Section 309 Strategies. Improvements to state and territory coastal management programs are encouraged through this program.

https://coast.noaa.gov/czm/enhancement/

National Coastal Zone Management and National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and supports coastal habitat restoration and conservation projects and capacity-building to advance the resilience of the reserves and coastal communities. https://coast.noaa.gov/funding/infrastructure.html

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) includes three funding programs for flood risk reduction activities: Hazard Mitigation Grant program, Flood Mitigation Assistance program, and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. States, territories, tribes, and local communities may apply for HMA funding if they have a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. These groups could apply to receive support to plan for or build NBS-based projects, and would benefit from information to inform cost benefit analyses.

https://www.fema.gov/benefit-cost-analysis

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) grant program provides funds to assist communities responding to and recovering from declared disasters. PA provides funding for permanently restoring community infrastructure, and for hazard mitigation measures to minimize future loss to damaged facilities through PA 406 Hazard Mitigation.

https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit

• United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

NOAA has partnered with the USACE's Engineering With Nature (EWN®) initiative to advance research and implementation of NBS for coastal protection.

www.engineeringwithnature.org

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• Department of Transportation (DOT), including Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA)

NOAA and DOT partner on efforts to deliver climate and coastal science to help transportation professionals, such as State DOTs, better incorporate climate change into transportation planning and project design. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a large infusion of funding for transportation infrastructure, including highways, rail, and public transportation. It is important that this infrastructure be built to withstand future climate conditions. While the broad range of DOT grant programs that fund transportation infrastructure include eligibilities for project elements that improve climate resilience, one program in particular is specifically focused on climate resilience. The Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program provides funding to help make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure. ESLR proposals that inform the development of transportation projects funded through USDOT programs, including PROTECT (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/protect/), would be favorably received.

See also https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-sustainability

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

NOAA and NFWF partner to provide grant funding through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) to plan for, design, and implement natural and nature based solutions to protect coastal communities while also enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife. NFWF seeks to incorporate adaptation to the projected future conditions of each investment. https://www.nfwf.org/programs/national-coastal-resilience-fund.

For the Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area, it is expected that applicants will propose products that are relevant to local, tribal, state, and federal agencies with a known interest in the ESLR Program products. These include all of the same partners listed in the General Coastal Resilience focus area in addition, but not limited, to the following:

• Denali Commission

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The Village Infrastructure Protection (VIP) Program assists rural Alaskan communities that are threatened by erosion, flooding and permafrost degradation.

The goal of the VIP Program is to mitigate the impact of these threats with respect to safety, health and the protection of infrastructure.

https://www.denali.gov/programs/village-infrastructure-protection/

As a grant making agency, the Denali Commission implements its mission through partnerships: The Denali Commission will partner with tribal, federal, state, and local governments and collaborate with all Alaskans to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government services, to develop a well-trained labor force employed in a diversified and sustainable economy, and to build and ensure the operation and maintenance of Alaska’s basic infrastructure.

https://www.denali.gov/grants/

• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

The Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (TCR) provides financial support for federally-recognized Tribal Nations and authorized Tribal organizations through a competitive funding opportunity to build Tribal resilience capacity.¿ https://www.bia.gov/service/tcr-annual-awards-program

The Transportation Program (TTP) assists Alaska Native tribes in developing their capacity to plan, construct and maintain safe and efficient transportation networks in their communities. TTP activities include planning, design, construction, road and bridge maintenance, safety, transit operations, and more.

https://www.bia.gov/regional-offices/alaska/transportation

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

NRCS Alaska provides technical and financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, forest owners and Alaska Native Tribes/entities to conserve natural resources and improve food security, subsistence and climate-smart agriculture.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/alaska

All NOAA environmental data developed through this announcement shall adhere to the guidelines documented in NOAA Administrative Order 212-15 (http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/ames/administrative_orders/chapter_212/

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212- 15.html). Proposals must include a data management plan that considers how to provide data to the public as soon as is feasible (see Data Reporting Requirements in Section VI. C.).

References:

(1) NOAA. 2020. NOAA Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020- 2024. https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/document/2020/Dec/ NOAA%202020-2024%20Diversity%20and%20Inclusion%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf

(2) The White House. 2021. Government-Wide Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Strategic-Plan-to- Advance-Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-and-Accessibility-in-the-Federal-Workforce- 11.23.21.pdf

(3) Exec. Order No. 13985, 86 Fed. Reg. 7009 (January 20, 2021).

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/ executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/

(4) Bridges, T. S., King, J. K., Simm, J. D., Beck, M. W., Collins, G., Lodder, Q., and Mohan, R. K., eds. 2021. International Guidelines on Natural and Nature Based Features for Flood Risk Management. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.

(5) Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. 2016. Opportunities to Enhance the Nation’s Resilience to Climate Change. https://toolkit.climate.gov/sites/default /files/finalresilienceopportunitiesreport.pdf

(6) FEMA. 2021. Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions; A Guide for Local Communities. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/fema_riskmap-nature-based-solutions-guide_2021.pdf

(7) Pinson, A.O., White, K.D. 2017. Report on Lessons Learned from USACE Climate Change Adaptation Pilot Projects, Fiscal Years 2010-2015. Civil Works Technical Series.

https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p266001coll1/id/5109

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(8) Sweet, W.V., Hamlington, B.D., Kopp, R.E., Weaver, C.P., Barnard, P.L., Bekaert, D., Brooks, W., Craghan, M., Dusek, G., Frederikse, T., Garner, G., Genz, A.S., Krasting, J.P., Larour, E., Marcy, D., Marra, J.J., Obeysekera, J., Osler, M., Pendleton, M., Roman, D., Schmied, L., Veatch, W., White, K.D., and Zuzak, C.

2022. Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States:

Updated Mean Projections and Extreme Water Level Probabilities Along U.S.

Coastlines. NOAA Technical Report NOS 01. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Silver Spring, MD, 111 pp.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/sealevelrise/sealevelrise-tech-report.html

(9) White House Council on Environmental Quality. 2022. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, 2022. Nature-Based Solutions Resource Guide. Washington, D.C.

(10) White House Interagency Workgroup. 2022. Workgroup includes: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Agriculture AmeriCorps, Department of Homeland Security. 2022. Compendium of Federal Nature-Based Resources for Coastal Communities, States, Tribes, and Territories. White House Interagency Workgroup. https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/Nature-based- Solutions-Compendium.pdf

(11) World Bank. 2017. Implementing Nature-Based Flood Protection: Principles and Implementation Guidance. World Bank. Washington, D.C.

C. Program Authority

Coastal Ocean Program, § 201(c) of Public Law 102-567; Inflation Reduction Act, P.L.

117-169, Section 40001

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

It is anticipated that approximately $4,000,000 may be available across Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 for the first year for projects in each focal area selected from this opportunity.

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Approximately 2-4 projects of 2-4 years in duration are expected to be funded under the General Coastal Resilience focus area at a level of approximately $200,000 to $400,000 per year per proposal, with a total budget (across all years) that is less than $1,600,000.

Approximately 1-2 projects of 2-4 years in duration are expected to be funded under the Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area at a level of approximately $200,000 to $500,000 per year per proposal with a total budget (across all years) that is less than $2,000,000.

B. Project/Award Period

Full applications may cover a project/award period of 2-4 years.

Awards may be funded incrementally, generally on an annual basis, but once awarded, those awards will not compete for funding in subsequent years. Once approved, full applications are not required for continuation in the out years. While applicants are not required to divide Federal assistance project activities into annual increments based on appropriations law, this approach may be constructive given the possibility that funding may not be available in subsequent years.

Funding for each year's activity is contingent upon the availability of appropriations, satisfactory performance, and is at the sole discretion of the agency.

During the implementation phase of research projects funded under this Announcement, regardless of the funding mechanism used, NCCOS/CRP Program Managers will analyze financial statements and progress reports for each continuing award, and will have dialogue with the PIs and Authorized Representatives of the recipient institutions to discuss research progress and expected timelines for the remaining award period. If NOAA experiences budget fluctuations in future fiscal years, the amount of funding provided in any given fiscal year will be determined on a project-specific basis by the remaining tasks to be completed, the overall pace of the research and the length of time remaining on the award, and/or across the board reductions or increases based on the overall funds available.

Regardless of the budget for any given fiscal year, NCCOS/CRP Program Managers will consider the length of time remaining for each project, the amount of funds available, the tasks to be completed in the upcoming fiscal year, the pace of research, and any delayed progress relative to that originally proposed, before determining the funding

Notice of Federal Funding Page 19 of 60 amount in any given fiscal year.

The start date should always begin on the first day of the month and the end date should always end on the last day of any given month when making a projection for the award start and end dates.

C. Type of Funding Instrument

In an effort to maximize the use of limited resources, applications from non-Federal, non-NOAA Federal, and NOAA Federal applicants will be evaluated in the same competition, with different funding instruments applicable to the type of applicant.

The funding instrument for a research application selected for funding from a non-Federal researcher is expected to be a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is appropriate when substantial Federal government involvement is anticipated. This means that the recipient can expect substantial agency collaboration, participation, or intervention in project performance. Substantial involvement exists when: responsibility for the management, control, direction, or performance of the project is shared by the assisting agency and the recipient;

or the assisting agency has the right to intervene (including interruption or modification) in the conduct or performance of project activities. "Substantial involvement” will be coordinated and communicated by NCCOS/CRP Program Managers, and can include collaboration and participation by NOAA (but see Section III.A.5-6), as well as NCCOS/CRP Program Manager involvement in PI meetings, setting up management advisory groups, development of management transition plans, and communication of project results.

If the non-Federal applicant is at an institution that has a NOAA Cooperative Institute (CI), https://ci.noaa.gov/, it is allowed to submit applications that reference the CI by attaching a cover letter to the application stating its desire to have the application associated with the CI. This letter should specify the name of the CI, the CI cooperative agreement number, and the NOAA-approved research theme and task that applies to the proposal. The application will use the Facilities & Administrative (F&A, or indirect cost) rate associated with the main CI agreement. If the application is selected for funding, NOAA will notify the university that a separate award will be issued with its own award number.

However, the award will include two Special Award Conditions (SACs): (1) the existing University/NOAA Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) would be

Notice of Federal Funding Page 20 of 60 incorporated by reference into the terms of the competitive award, and (2) any performance report(s) for the competitive project must follow the timetable of the funding program and be submitted directly to the funding program.

Report(s) will be copied to the CI's administrator when due, to be attached to the main cooperative agreement progress report as an appendix. This will allow the CI to coordinate all the projects submitted through the CI, since the terms of these awards will specify that this is a CI project via the MOA.

If the non-Federal applicant is at an institution that has a NOAA approved Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), http://www.cesu.psu.edu/, and meets the criteria described below for using that status, they may include a cover letter with their application stating their desire to have the application associated with that CESU. This letter should specify the name of the CESU. Of the 17 CESUs across the nation, NOAA is a member of 10: North and West Alaska, California, Hawaii-Pacific Islands, South Florida-Caribbean, Gulf Coast, Piedmont- South Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake Watershed, North Atlantic Coast, Pacific Northwest, and Great Plains. The following criteria must be met for NOAA to use the established partnerships with CESUs:

1. The proposed project must fit within the objectives of the National CESU Network Program, which are to provide research, technical assistance, and education to Federal land management, environmental, and research agencies and their partners in biological, physical, social, cultural, or engineering disciplines needed to address natural and cultural resource management issues at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context; and,

2. The proposed project must fit the intent of the CESU’s existing cooperative and joint agreement, which means (1) the research partnership will carry out or stimulate an activity (e.g., data, products, or services) for a public purpose, and (2) NOAA will be significantly involved in the work.

The funding instrument for a selected application from an eligible NOAA Federal applicant will be an intra-agency transfer of funds.

The funding instrument for a selected application from a non-NOAA Federal applicant will be through an inter-agency transfer of funds, provided legal authority exists for the Federal applicant to receive funds from another agency.

Non-NOAA Federal applicants that intend to be the lead institution should contact

Notice of Federal Funding Page 21 of 60 the NCCOS Grants Administrator (see Section VII) to discuss how to structure budgets and prepare required documentation. PLEASE NOTE: Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate that they have applicable legal authority for an inter-agency transfer of funds.

Support may be solely through NCCOS/CRP or partnered with other Federal offices and agencies. Unfunded proposals may be shared with other NOAA offices or other Federal Agencies for the purposes of collaboration and eliminating duplication.

The intra- and inter-agency transfers of funds are not Federal assistance (grants or cooperative agreements), and the policies described in this Announcement applicable to Federal assistance awards do not apply to Federal entities receiving intra- and inter-agency transfers of funds. In the agreements implemented in these situations, NOAA will be substantially involved in the projects in a manner similar to the cooperative agreements with non-Federal parties. Contact the NCCOS Grants Administrator for more information (refer to Section VII).

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for Federal financial assistance in this competition are U.S.

institutions of higher education, other non-profits, state and local governments, tribal government entities, U.S. Territories, U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands institutions, and for-profit organizations. Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive transfers of funds are eligible to submit applications for intra- or inter- agency funds transfers through this competition. Department of Commerce (DOC)/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to its programs. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian institutions, Asian American and Native Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and institutions that work in underserved areas.