Coral Reef Conservation Program

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program provides financial assistance to supplement, complement, and strengthen State and community-based management programs to conserve and restore the condition of United States coral reef ecosystems.

Awards made under this program may be used to support programmatic and project expenses related to coral reef conservation, management, research, and restoration activities, in accordance with the Coral Reef Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 6401-6415).

Government - General, Federal, Interstate, Intrastate, State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Sponsored organization, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories and possessions, U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Non-Government - General, Small business (less than 500 employees), Profit organization, Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Quasi-public nonprofit institution/organization, Other private institutions/organizations, State, Anyone/general public, Native American/Native Hawaiian Organizations (includes Indian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations), Institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, local and Indian tribal government agencies, foreign governments of the Freely Associated States, relevant Regional Fishery Management Councils (i.e., Caribbean Fishery Management Council, the Gulf Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council), and State, Territorial and Commonwealth resource management agencies that were appointed by their respective Governors to serve as the primary point of contact agencies for coral reef conservation activities in each of the jurisdictions of American Samoa, Florida, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible international applicants are institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, non- U.S. government natural resource management agencies, foreign public entities and foreign organizations of the Freely Associated States, and for-profit organizations.

Federal, U.S. Territories, Individual/Family, Minority group, Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans), Small business, Profit organization, Private nonprofit institution/organization, Quasi-public nonprofit organization, Other private institution/organization, Anyone/general public, Native American Organizations, Education Professional, Scientist/Researchers, Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer, Industrialist/ Business person, Small Business Person, Sponsored organization, Public nonprofit institution/organization, Other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments

Assistance is typically available to formula recipients for 12 to 18 months with a possible extension not to exceed a project period of 3 total years. Assistance is typically available to competitive recipients for 1 to 5 years. The maximum time that may be granted for recipients to expend and drawdown funds is 5 years. Extension requests will be considered by the federal program office only if the recipient has submitted all required performance reports. At least sixty days prior to the end of the award, recipients must discuss with their federal program officer expected reprogramming and extension requests. After preliminary negotiation on proposed projects and extensions, formal written reprogramming and extension requests must be submitted to the NOAA at least 30 days prior to end date. Recipients should make every effort to submit one extension request for all projects needing an extension (when possible, multiple extension requests should be avoided). With sufficient justification, the federal program office will recommend approval of an extension up to 1 year for the first extension request. First time or cumulative extension requests for more than six months but less than 12 months, will need more compelling justification as to why the project was not completed on time or could not be completed within the first six-month extension. Although the federal program office discourages extensions of more than 12 months, the federal program office will recommend approval in cases where the funds are already obligated. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the Department.

Preapplication coordination may be required. An environmental compliance review is required for all projects funded under this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Proposals are subject to office evaluations, technical reviews, administrative reviews, panel reviews, and external reviews, if applicable. Recommendations for funding to the selecting official take into consideration factors such as scientific/technical merit, applicability to the goals of NOAA CRCP and jurisdictional partners, direct benefit to coral reef resources and ecosystems, past performance of the recipient, cost-effectiveness, adequacy of the project implementation plan, and availability of matching funds, as described in annual Federal Funding Opportunity notices for each competition.

Awards are made on the basis of proposals evaluations, technical reviews and administrative reviews, if applicable.

A date range will change depending on the review process. Usually within 180 calendar days from the receipt of a complete and acceptable application but may exceed that timeline.

No renewal. However, an approved on-going project can be extended by submission of an amendment request. Multiple year awards of up to five years may be approved. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of program funds in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements.

No formal appeal procedure. If application is unacceptable the reasons are fully stated to the applicant. If the applicant desires to resubmit application, project must be revised in accordance with recommended changes.