oppNOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2019-2005822-cfda11.478-cid2759312-instructions.pdf

2019 Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program (REPP): Understanding Coral Ecosystem Connectivity in the Hawaiian Archipelago

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 4

A. Program Objective 4 B. Program Priorities 5 C. Program Authority 10

II. Award Information 10 A. Funding Availability 10 B. Project/Award Period 11 C. Type of Funding Instrument 11

III. Eligibility Information 14 A. Eligible Applicants 14 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 15 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 15

IV. Application and Submission Information 15 A. Address to Request Application Package 15 B. Content and Form of Application 15 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 23 D. Submission Dates and Times 23 E. Intergovernmental Review 24 F. Funding Restrictions 25 G. Other Submission Requirements 25

V. Application Review Information 26 A. Evaluation Criteria 26 B. Review and Selection Process 27 C. Selection Factors 30 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 30

VI. Award Administration Information 31 A. Award Notices 31 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 31 C. Reporting 35

VII. Agency Contacts 38 VIII. Other Information 38

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 1 of 39

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

Funding Opportunity Title: 2019 Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program (REPP):

Understanding Coral Ecosystem Connectivity in the Hawaiian Archipelago

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2019-2005822

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.478, Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research - Coastal Ocean Program

Dates: Full proposals must be received and validated by Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 31, 2019. NOAA will also accept paper applications subject to further details described in this Announcement that are postmarked or provided to a commercial carrier with tracking number and receipt on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time on January 31, 2019. Private metered postmarks will not be accepted. Applicants submitting by paper are responsible for tracking their applications and should notify the Program Manager in Section VII of this Announcement that they are submitting by paper. Electronic or paper copies received after the deadline will not be considered, and paper copy applications will be returned to the sender.

When developing your submission timeline, keep in mind the following information necessary to submit an application on Grants.gov: (1) a free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM) may take between three and five business days or as long as several weeks, as described in Section IV.F. of this Announcement, and (2) if you submit an 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.

Funding Opportunity Description: The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science/Competitive Research Program, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, is soliciting proposals under the Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program for a project up to five years in duration to conduct research to improve the understanding of population connectivity of key mesophotic coral ecosystem species in the Hawaiian Archipelago. This information will be used to improve the ability of resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood mesophotic

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 2 of 39 coral ecosystems and provide insight into regional ecosystem connectivity. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2019 Federal appropriations. If funds become available for this program, one project is expected to be supported for up to five years, with an approximate annual budget of up to $1,000,000.

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.

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 3 of 39

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) develops and improves predictive capabilities for managing the Nation’s use of its coastal resources through its Competitive Research Program (CRP). NCCOS/CRP also supports efforts to translate the results of its research investments, and those of others, into accessible and useful information for coastal managers, planners, lawmakers, and the public to help balance the needs of economic growth, with those of conserving the resources of our Nation's oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.

NCCOS/CRP provides a focal point for regional ecosystem-scale, multidisciplinary coastal ocean research within the NOAA National Ocean Service. Together with partners in NOAA and other organizations responsible for coastal resources, NCCOS/CRP advances the scientific understanding needed to protect coastal resources and ensure their viability for future generations. This increased understanding of the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes directly benefits the management of U.S. coastal and ocean resources, and helps NOAA, other Federal agencies, and state, tribal, and local governments achieve their stewardship responsibilities.

A key objective of NCCOS/CRP research is the production of user-driven predictive tools that will enable resource managers to assess alternative management strategies to restore degraded ecosystems and protect healthy ones. Research supported is outcome-oriented towards predictions, as well as increased scientific understanding that will provide managers and the public with sound scientific information for making decisions in support of societal objectives. Articulation of outcome-based management goals is required in proposals (see Section IV.B.) and recipients must report progress toward achieving outcome-based goals annually.

In 2006, NCCOS/CRP, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER), initiated a new research program, the Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (Deep-CRES) Program, focused on improving the understanding of poorly known mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs). MCEs are characterized by the presence of light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths from 30–40 m and extending to over 150 m in some tropical and subtropical regions. MCEs may be regarded as extensions of shallow coral ecosystems including sharing common species. The Deep-CRES

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Program resulted in two multi-year research projects focused on MCEs, one in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico) and one in the Pacific (Hawai‘i). While these studies were underway, in 2008, the first International MCE Workshop was held to bring together scientists and managers to discuss and review the state of knowledge regarding MCEs and identify critical research needs to help inform management of these ecosystems, resulting in the development of a MCE Research Strategy (2009), https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/page-attachments/research/noaa_514_DS1.pdf.

In response to the MCE Research Strategy and resource manager needs, in FY 2011 and FY 2018, two competitions were conducted to improve the understanding of coral ecosystem connectivity in (1) the eastern Gulf of Mexico from Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys, and

(2) the western Gulf of Mexico. The resulting project from the FY 2011 competition (https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=63) is providing the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council with a better understanding of population connectivity between Pulley Ridge and the Florida Keys, and information on the extent of Pulley Ridge’s habitat and ecosystem composition.

Information on the project’s 2013–2015 field seasons are highlighted on NOAA’s Ocean Explorer website (http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/explorations.html) under “Coral Ecosystem Connectivity: From Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys.” The FY 2018 competition project began on September 1, 2018 and will help resource managers to better understand the connectivity of shallow reefs and MCEs in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to the banks in the proposed boundary expansion, as well as to more distant reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

While we have made progress in the understanding of MCE connectivity in the Gulf of Mexico, there is still little known outside this region with regards to whether MCEs can serve as a potential source of larvae for impacted shallow species or vice versa. Improving the understanding of MCEs, including their connectivity to shallow reefs and MCEs in other locations, the factors responsible for controlling where they are located, the impacts to these ecosystems, and the ecological role they play are key research needs identified in the United Nations Environment Programme report, “MCEs: A lifeboat for coral reefs?,” http://www.coastalscience.noaa.gov/publications/handler.aspx?key=9192.

B. Program Priorities

The Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program (REPP) was established to provide resource managers with actionable information, predictive tools, and capabilities to improve their ability to protect, conserve, and restore the Nation’s ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. REPP identifies key regional research needs that are limiting the ability of resource managers to address one or more issues from a regional ecosystem perspective.

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 5 of 39

NCCOS/CRP, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) and OER, is soliciting proposals for a project under REPP to improve the understanding of population connectivity of key MCE species (also found in waters < 30–40 m in depth) in the Hawaiian Archipelago. This information will be used to improve the ability of resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood MCEs and provide insight into regional ecosystem connectivity.

MCEs in the Hawaiian Archipelago can be found at depths from 30–40 m to over 150 m.

The lower depth limit is dependent on the water clarity and location within the archipelago.

MCEs are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as corals, macroalgae, sponges, and fishes, as well as species unique to mesophotic depths or deeper, making them especially vulnerable to disturbances. MCEs are unique ecosystems that may serve as potential sources to reseed or replenish degraded shallow-water populations. For resource managers, it is important to understand the types of ecological roles that MCEs play (e.g., essential fish habitat), as well as the connectivity of these ecosystems with adjacent shallow reefs, as well as with MCEs in other locations.

Connectivity can be broadly defined as the exchange of materials (e.g., nutrients and pollutants), organisms, and genes and can be divided into three categories: (1) genetic connectivity that concerns the exchange of genetic material, (2) demographic or ecological connectivity, which is the exchange of individual propagules, juveniles and adults, and (3) oceanographic connectivity, which includes flow of materials and circulation patterns and variability that underpins many of these exchanges. At present, there is limited understanding about connectivity. Yet, the success of management measures [e.g., marine protected areas (MPAs) and MPA networks] to protect, conserve, and restore marine habitats or populations hinges on the establishment of ecologically relevant boundaries that take into account genetic connectivity (typically via spores, eggs, and larvae) and the movements of juveniles and adults, as well as the spatial distribution of stressors that may impact organisms.

MPAs have been used as one of the main tools to protect significant natural and cultural resources within the marine environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

While the use of MPAs and MPA networks as resource management tools has grown significantly in recent decades, there is still substantial scientific investigation needed to improve our understanding of how connectivity functions across temporal and spatial scales for a variety of mobile and sessile species. This lack of knowledge is a major impediment to the management of marine resources for sustainable fishing, maintenance of biodiversity, recovery of endangered species, and other management goals in the face of natural disasters, Federal Funding Opportunity Page 6 of 39 habitat degradation, and other ecosystem threats.

This announcement seeks to address our lack of understanding of coral ecosystem function and connectivity by using the geographically isolated Hawaiian Archipelago, a natural laboratory, to investigate connectivity for the entire coral ecosystem continuum from shallow to mesophotic depths, and from lower to higher latitudes. The Hawaiian Archipelago, located in the central Pacific Ocean, consists of the eight high volcanic main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) in the southeast, and an assortment of islands, atolls, banks, and seamounts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The NWHI are part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (PMNM), the largest contiguous MPA in the U.S. at 582,578 square miles.

The Hawaiian Archipelago is part of the geographically longest and geologically oldest volcanic chains on Earth. Extensive shallow reefs and MCEs exist around every island, atoll, bank or seamount of the archipelago, from the southern tip of Hawai‘i Island to Kure Atoll, over 1,500 miles to the northwest. The geographic isolation of the Hawaiian Archipelago has produced a unique biodiversity that is marked by one of the highest levels of marine endemism recorded on Earth. While Hawai‘i’s terrestrial and shallow-water marine ecosystems have been relatively well documented and studied, its MCEs remain largely unexplored with the exception of the Au‘au Channel, where the Deep-CRES program took place from 2006–2012. Despite their remoteness, MCEs are not immune to anthropogenic impacts, as invasive species, climate change, and overfishing threaten MCEs much like their shallow-water counterparts.

The large latitudinal gradient of the archipelago (19–28 °N) spans from the subtropical, productive waters of the NWHI to the tropical, oligotrophic waters of the MHI. The isolation of the Hawaiian Islands and their size provides the unique opportunity to study (1) connectivity within a closed system (i.e., most larvae are from the Hawaiian Islands and not an outside source), (2) environmental parameters and how they change across a latitudinal gradient, and (3) natural and anthropogenic impacts across gradients.

This announcement solicits proposals to provide resource managers with the scientific information and predictive tools needed to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood MCEs and provide insights into regional ecosystem connectivity.

Proposals should further the understanding of MCEs and their connectivity to shallow coral ecosystems in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Furthermore, proposals should address quantifying the biological, geological, chemical, and physical processes, to the extent necessary, for a functional understanding of MCEs in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Proposals should address the following research priorities:

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 7 of 39

a. Determine the horizontal and vertical population structure for a set of key mobile and sessile coral ecosystem species (i.e., two or more of each species, and should include ecologically- and economically-important species), and to what extent there is genetic and ecological connectivity across the archipelago, as well as between shallow coral ecosystems and MCEs.

b. Identify dominant mechanisms of connectivity for key species, including directional flow, and their temporal and spatial dynamics.

c. Determine whether MCEs can serve as refugia and reseed shallow reefs (or vice versa).

d. Characterize MCEs by quantifying the community structure and the biotic and abiotic factors which influence community structure.

e. Characterize the physical environment of MCEs across a latitudinal gradient and how this influences MCE structure.

f. Determine ecosystem stressors (i.e., threats), whether they change with depth and geography, and their associated effects on ecosystem structure, function, and connectivity, as appropriate.

Conducting research on MCEs may require specialized technologies beyond standard SCUBA diving, such as advanced diving technologies (e.g., mixed-gas SCUBA diving, closed-circuit rebreathers, and the requisite safety oversight), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), benthic landers, and/or manned submersibles. Applicants must include all operating costs for conducting the research including these specialized technologies and the necessary ship costs in their proposals. For questions regarding operational costs and logistical support for conducting research in the NWHI, applicants should contact PMNM (see below).

NCCOS/CRP will fund a single comprehensive proposal that includes a set of subprojects led by individual Principal Investigators (PIs). This multi-disciplinary collaborative team should be led by a single PI. The Lead PI should provide strong leadership for the project enabling it to be fully integrated and effectively implemented to ensure production of the expected outputs and outcomes. Successful projects typically include a Project Program Manager that interacts with the NCCOS/CRP Program Manager on a regular basis to ensure that the project is well-coordinated, responsive to management needs, and presents a

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 8 of 39 comprehensive and integrated set of research results.

Expected Outputs and Outcomes:

The intended outcome of this research is to provide resource managers in Hawai‘i with the scientific information and predictive tools necessary to improve effectiveness of MPAs in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Results from this research will also be of wide interest to coral reef scientists and managers applying findings from population connectivity studies to support MPA planning and management. Management end users of the research results include the State of Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA’s ONMS, Coral Reef Conservation Program, MPA Center, and National Marine Fisheries Service, and others.

Transition of research results to use by managers and policy-makers is a central objective of NCCOS/CRP. Clear articulation of outcome-based management goals is required (more information can be found at https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/fundingopportunities/outputs-and-outcomes/). The Lead PI will be expected to work with the NCCOS/CRP Program Manager to establish an effective method of transferring research results to the end users (e.g., a management transition advisory group). To facilitate the transition of information to resource managers, the Lead PI shall hold at least one meeting per year with subproject PIs that will also be open to the above mentioned primary management groups. The purpose of the annual meeting will be to present results of the research to date and to interact with end users to ensure that the research results are packaged for optimal utility by management. The end users can then facilitate the transfer and utilization of information derived from this work for management applications, including sustainable fisheries management, habitat conservation and protection, and protection of listed threatened or endangered species. Applicants should include all costs associated with the annual meetings (with the exception of end user travel costs for Federal employees) in their proposal.

Expected outputs from this research include:

1) Maps that will identify the degree of vertical and horizontal connectivity (oceanographic, genetic, and ecological) for the key species between MCEs and shallow coral ecosystems in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as well as between regions spanning the length of the archipelago.

2) Connectivity information determined for key sessile and mobile coral ecosystem species.

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3) Information regarding the potential of MCEs to serve as a refuge for shallow coral reef species.

4) Estimates of the contribution of various abiotic and biotic factors to determining the distribution and structure of MCEs.

5) Information on the physical environment of MCEs across the archipelago.

6) Information on the implications of research results in the context of managing MCEs in the Hawaiian Archipelago, including information on the spatial distribution of stressors across Hawai‘i’s MCEs.

In addition to the above outputs and outcomes, the applicant will be expected to work with the NCCOS/CRP Program Manager, ONMS, and OER to develop outreach and education materials (e.g., materials for websites, handouts and social media, incorporating research into the classroom, and highlighting research findings/discoveries as they emerge). The proposal must describe a process to include resource management agency participation at the onset of program implementation. The NCCOS/CRP Program Manager will work closely with the Lead PI to engage the appropriate management representatives (as end users of the program outputs) and establish a clear mechanism to involve these representatives as advisors.

Contact Information:

For overall information regarding this Announcement contact: Kimberly Puglise, NCCOS/CRP Program Manager, 240-533-0190, internet: Kimberly.Puglise@noaa.gov.

For information regarding operations in the NWHI contact: Randall Kosaki, PMNM Deputy Superintendent, 808-725-5816, internet: randall.kosaki@noaa.gov.

C. Program Authority

33 U.S.C. §883 et seq.; Public Law 102-567, §201(c), Coastal Ocean Program.

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

If funds become available for this program, one project is expected to be supported for

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 10 of 39 up to five years, with an approximate annual budget up to $1,000,000, not to exceed $5,000,000 per proposal. Funding is contingent upon availability of Federal appropriations, which may not have been appropriated at the time of this announcement.

B. Project/Award Period

Full applications may cover a project/award period up to five years, but shorter-term project proposals are also welcomed.

Awards may be funded incrementally, generally on an annual basis, but once awarded; those awards will not compete for funding in subsequent years. This multi-year funding is often appropriate for projects to be funded for two to five years. Once approved, full applications are not required for the continuation 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 funds from Congress, 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 time lines 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 amount in any given fiscal year.

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.

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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.), 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), 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 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 Units (CESU), it is allowed to submit applications. If the applicant is a member of one of these CESUs and is interested in using its CESU status, it may state its wishes in a cover letter to the application stating its desire to have the application associated with the 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

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Watershed, North Atlantic Coast, Pacific Northwest, and Great Plains. Applications are allowed to be submitted from these CESUs only.

The following criteria must be met for NOAA to use the established partnerships with CESUs:

The proposed funding opportunity must fit within the objectives of the National CESU Network Program outlined below:

• To provide research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental, and research agencies and their partners in biological, physical, social, cultural, and engineering disciplines needed to address natural and cultural resource management issues at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context.

• The proposed funding opportunity must fit the intent of the Cooperative and Joint Agreements, which means:

o The research partnership will carry out or stimulate an activity (data, products or services) for a public purpose; and o NOAA will be significantly involved in the work.

Previous research completed by a local CI will be considered in decisions made to issue an award to a CESU.

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 must call Laura Golden/240-533-0285 to discuss technical details.

PLEASE NOTE: Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate that they have applicable legal authority for an interagency transfer of funds.

Support may be solely through NCCOS/CRP or partnered with other Federal offices and agencies.

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

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Federal assistance awards do not apply to Federal entities receiving intra- and inter-agency transfers of funds. Refer to the Agency Contact officials in Section VII for more information.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for Federal financial assistance in this competition are institutions of higher education, other non-profits, state, local, Indian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories, and for-profit organizations. Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive transfers of funds are eligible to submit applications for intra- or interagency funds transfers through this competition. NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to NOAA 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, and institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages applications involving any of the above institutions to apply.

Please note that:

(1) PIs should be employees of an eligible entity listed above; and applications should be submitted through that entity. Non-Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements for application submission.

(2) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Cooperative/Joint Institutes will be funded through cooperative agreements.

(3) Foreign researchers must apply as subawards or contracts through an eligible U.S. entity.

(4) Federal applicants are eligible to submit applications from intra- or interagency funds transfers through this competition. Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal authority to accept funds for this type of research.

(5) An eligible U.S. entity may propose Federal agency researchers as funded or unfunded collaborators. If Federal agency researchers are proposed as funded collaborators, the applicant should present the collaborator’s funding request in the application in the same way documentation is provided for a subrecipient for purposes of project evaluation, even though intra- or interagency funding transfers will generally be used if the project is selected.

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(5) NCCOS researchers may apply through an eligible US entity as funded or unfunded collaborators, but cannot be the lead PI on the application.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

None

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

Each application must substantially comply with the 16 elements listed under Content and Form of Application, Required Elements, (1) - (16), or it will be returned to sender without further consideration. A checklist with the required and requested application elements can be found in Section VIII.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

Laura Golden 1305 East West Hwy SSMC 4 Station 8219 Silver Spring, MD 20910

B. Content and Form of Application

Example Application

A sample application package can be found on the NCCOS website at:

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/application-forms/.

Required Elements

Collaborative Proposals - If more than one institution is collaborating in a project awarded funds, the lead institution will be responsible for distributing funds to the partner institutions with the exception of Federal partners. Federal partners will be funded with either intra- or inter-agency agreements initiated by NCCOS. Collaborating institutions expected to receive funds must be budgeted as subawards or contracts. Unfunded collaborators may also participate.

Each application must substantially comply with the following 16 elements to be forwarded for merit review. The Summary Title Page, Abstract, Project Description, References, Federal Funding Opportunity Page 15 of 39

Biographical Sketch, and Budget Justification must be single spaced in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. The Collaborators List must be an Excel spread sheet. The 16 elements are as follows:

(1) Standard Form 424. The applicant must submit the Standard Form, SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance,” to indicate the total amount of funding proposed for the whole project period. This form is to be the cover page for the original application and is the first required form in the grants.gov application package.

(2) Summary Title Page. One-page maximum. The Summary Title Page identifies the project's title, starting with the acronym: REPP 2019 and the PI’s name and affiliation, complete address, phone and e-mail information. The requested funding amounts for each fiscal year should be included on the Summary Title Page. If this proposal is a resubmission from a previous NCCOS competition, indicate that information on the Summary Title Page.

(3) One-page abstract/project summary. The summary (abstract) should appear on a separate single page, headed with the proposal title, institution(s), investigator(s), total proposed cost (with and without ship funds), and budget period. It should be written in the third person.

The summary is used to help compare proposals quickly and allows the respondents to summarize their key points in their own words. Project summaries of applications that receive funding may be posted on program-related websites.

The project summary should include an introduction of the problem, rationale, scientific objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, and a brief summary of work to be completed.

(4) Project Description. The description of the proposed project must include narratives of the Proposed Research (elements a through d), the Application to Management (element e), and the Data Management Plan (element f).

The description of the proposed project must not be more than 20 pages for elements (a) through (e) and an additional two pages for the Data Management Plan (f).

The Proposed Research Narrative should be thorough and explicitly indicate its relevance to the program goals and scientific priorities by:

(a) Identifying the topic that is being addressed by the proposal;

(b) Describing the proposed scientific objectives and research activities in relation to the present state of knowledge in the field and in relation to previous and current work by the

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 16 of 39 proposing PI(s).

(c) Discussing how the proposed project lends value to the program goals;

(d) Identifying the function of each PI. The Lead PI will be responsible for communicating with the Federal Program Manager on all pertinent verbal or written information.

(e) The Applications to Management Narrative should establish the connection to relevant resource management needs by explicitly identifying the end user group(s) including the proposed mechanism for establishing the connections to relevant resource management needs by explicitly identifying the frequency and method of interaction with end users, and evidence of the linkage between the scientific questions and management needs. The format and role of management and technical advisory committees should be included in this section. The narrative should provide the management justification for the research by:

(i) Articulating the coordination with one or more end users;

(ii) Discussing the expected significance of the project to management priorities and needs. Specific management targets, with proposed outputs and outcomes, should describe how this project will improve management capabilities. Outputs are defined as products (e.g., publications, models) or activities that lead to outcomes (changes in management knowledge or action). Definitions and examples of outputs and outcomes can be accessed at https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/outputs-and-outcomes/. The timeline for achieving outcomes should be included in the Milestone Chart (below).

(iii) Describing specific activities, such as workshops or development of outreach materials that will enhance information transfer from project scientists to relevant management entities, other end-users, or the public.

If the proposal is a resubmission from a previous competition, any concerns identified in the previous review process and provided to the applicant should be addressed in the resubmitted proposal.

(f) Providing a detailed Data Management Plan that describes how metadata and data collected as part of the project will be disseminated to the broader community, and plans for longer term archiving of these data. PIs that propose to collaborate with data centers or networks, except the National Center for Environmental Information, are advised to obtain letters of commitment that affirm the collaboration. Where possible, all PIs are strongly

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 17 of 39 encouraged to use existing data centers and data portals to archive and disseminate their data. Costs associated with use of data centers, or data archiving, should be included in the application budget. See the section on the NOAA Data Reporting requirements below (Section VI.C.).

(5) References cited. Reference information is required. Each reference should include the names of all authors in the same sequence they appear in the publications, the article title, the journal or book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publications. While there is no established page limitation, this section should include bibliographic citations only and should not be used to provide parenthetical information outside of the Project Description.

(6) Milestone chart. Provide time lines of major tasks covering the duration of the proposed project.

(7) Biographical sketch. All PIs and co-PIs must provide summaries of up to 2 pages that include the following:

(a) A listing of professional and academic credentials and mailing address;

(b) A list of up to five publications most closely related to the proposed project and five other significant publications.

(8) Current and pending support. Describe all current and pending Federal financial/funding support for all PIs and co-PIs. Continuing grants must also be included. A current and pending support form is available on the NCCOS web site for your use:

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/application-forms/. You should respond to this element whether or not you have any current and/or pending support, e.g., by indicating “not applicable.”

(9) A list of all known applicable permits that will be required to perform the proposed work.

You should respond to this requirement element whether or not permits are required.

(10) Accomplishments from Prior Federal Support. If any PI or co-PI identified on the project has received Federal funding in the past five years for coral, MCE, and/or population connectivity research, information on the award(s) is required. Each PI and co-PI who has received more than one award (excluding amendments) must report on the award most closely related to the proposal. This section should not exceed two pages per award in addition to the 20 pages for the Project Description.

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The following information should be provided:

(a) the award number, amount, and period of support;

(b) the title of the project;

(c) a summary of the results of the completed work;

(d) publications resulting from the award;

(e) a brief description of outputs and outcomes; and

(f) as appropriate, a description of the relation of the completed work to the proposed work.

When applicable, this information will be considered by reviewers in the evaluation of overall qualifications of applicants. You should respond to this element whether or not you have accomplishments from prior Federal support on this topic; e.g., by indicating “no prior Federal research on coral, MCE, and/or population connectivity research.”

(11) Budget narrative/justification. In order to allow reviewers to fully evaluate the appropriateness of costs, all applications must include a detailed budget narrative and a justification to support all proposed budget categories for each fiscal year. Personnel costs should be broken out by named PI and number of months and percentage of time requested per year per PI. Support for each PI should be commensurate with their stated involvement each year in the milestones chart (see Required Elements (6) Milestone chart).

Any unnamed personnel (graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, technicians) should be identified by their job title, and their personnel costs explained similar to PI personnel costs above. The contribution of any personnel to the project goals should be explained. Travel costs should be broken out by number of people traveling, destination and purpose of travel, and projected costs per person. Equipment costs should describe the equipment to be purchased, and its contribution to the achievement of the project goals. Each subaward should be listed as a separate item in the budget justification. Provide separate budget justifications for each subaward and indicate the basis for the cost estimates. Describe project activities for subawards and products/services to be obtained for acquisitions, and indicate the applicability or necessity of each to the project.

A separate budget justification is required for each subaward. Signed approval from each

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 19 of 39 identified subaward institution is also required. For acquisition contracts, the purpose and cost or price must be fully justified and the contract must fully comply with 2 C.F.R.

200.317-.326. For additional information concerning each of the required categories and appropriate level of disclosure please see https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/requirements/.

An applicant requesting funds for indirect costs in its proposal budget that has a current Federally approved rate should submit documentation of the indirect cost rate agreement as an attachment to its application submission. An applicant without a Federally approved rate should refer to Section IV.F. of this Announcement regarding options.

(12) CD 511. Certification Regarding Lobbying. Lead institutions can submit these forms through the grants.gov CD 511 document placeholder without a hard signature because electronic signatures are allowed on documents from the submitting institution.

(13) Standard Form 424B. Assurances-Non-Construction Programs. Lead institutions can submit these forms through the grants.gov SF 424B document placeholder without a hard signature because electronic signatures are allowed on document from the submitting institutions.

(14) Standard Form 424A. All applicants are required to submit a SF 424A Budget Form that identifies the budget for each fiscal year of the proposal. Place each fiscal year in separate columns in Section B of page 1 on the SF 424A by filling in the fiscal years 1 to 5 in Section A Budget Summary - Grant Program Function or Activity column. (Note that this revised 424A Section B format is a NOAA requirement that is not reflected in the Instructions for the SF 424A). For 5-year projects, use two SF 424As. Place the first four years on one form in Section B columns one through four. The first four years will total in column five. Place the total from the first form onto the second SF424A form in Section B column one and use column two for the fifth year budget figures. The budget figures must correspond with the descriptions contained in the proposal.

Each subaward should provide a SF 424A listing each year of funding being requested. List the total subaward costs under the 6.h. Other category and contractor costs under line item 6.f. Contractual category on the SF 424A. Signed approval from the institution of each identified subaward and contractor should be provided. Indirect cost may not be applied to ship costs.

(15) Provide one list that includes all (U.S. and Foreign) collaborators, advisors, and advisees for each investigator (PI and co-PIs, post-docs, and subawardees), complete with

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 20 of 39 corresponding institutions. Submit only one, combined and alphabetized list per application in an excel spreadsheet using First Name, Last Name, and Institution for the column headings. Collaborators are individuals who have participated in a project or publication within the last 48 months with any investigator, including co-authors on publications in their resumes. Collaborators also include those persons with which the investigators may have ongoing collaboration negotiations. Advisees and Advisors do not have a time limit.

Advisees are persons with whom the individual investigator has had an association as thesis advisor or postdoctoral sponsor. Advisors include an individual’s own graduate and postgraduate advisors. Unfunded participants in the proposed study should also be listed (but not their collaborators). This information is critical for identifying potential conflicts of interests and avoiding bias in the selection of reviewers.

(16) Key Contacts form. All applicants must submit the Key Contacts form. This form can be found on the NCCOS website: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/application-forms/. This form identifies the official applicant contacts.

Application format and assembly. Applications submitted via Grants.gov APPLY should follow the format guidelines below:

Workspace is the standard way for organizations or individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. Workspace allows a grant team to simultaneously access and edit different forms within an application. Plus, the forms can be filled out online or offline—your choice.

Grants.gov Workspace also allows applicants and organizations to tailor their application workflow. Please refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html to determine which of the three approaches your institution should take when completing a Workspace application. This page also contains resources to aid in setting up the workspace and the application submission process.

If you experience submission problems that may result in your application being late, send an e-mail to support@grants.gov and call the Grants.gov help desk (800-518-4726). The Federal Program Officer for this Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) will use programmatic discretion in accepting applications due to documented electronic submission problems.

Please note: If more than one submission of an application is performed, the last application submitted before the due date and time will be the official version.

In addition to the 16 required elements, applicants may provide the following:

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(1) A list of potential merit reviewers on a page after the Summary Title Page.

(2) Letters from unfunded collaborators, verifying their contribution to the project. These elements can be uploaded in to the Optional Form box under Other Attachments in Grants.gov.

Applications containing known subawards must provide an SF 424A, Budget Justification, Current and Pending Support, and Key Contacts. Signed approval from the institution of each subaward and contractor should be provided. We also request submission of the indirect rate agreement for subawards, if applicable. Applicants should provide Key Contacts for acquisition contracts and may provide additional information similar to that requested in this section for an acquisition contract if it may help NOAA assure compliance of the contract with 2 C.F.R. 200.317-.326.