ESLR is a multidisciplinary research program that emphasizes the use of integrated models and tools of dynamic physical and biological processes capable of evaluating vulnerability and resilience of our coasts under multiple sea level rise (SLR), inundation, and management scenarios to inform coastal restoration, land management, and planning activities.
The overall goal of this solicitation is to facilitate informed adaptation planning and coastal management decisions that account for the effects of SLR and climate change through support and leveraging of mature modeling approaches by investigators supported by ESLR and EESLR projects. This solicitation aims to support approaches capable of evaluating the performance of natural and conventional flood mitigation projects and policy changes to subsequently inform the development of applications to other granting programs that can support the flood mitigation projects and planning exercises. The term mature references that the model must be capable of providing the capacity requested without further advancement or substantial data collection. In particular, proposals will support the development of information to enable more innovative applications by coastal decision makers to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, and others where applicable.
Deadlines:
Eligible applicants for Federal financial assistance in this competition are U.S. 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 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, and institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages applications involving any of the above institutions to apply. The lead investigator of the proposal must have been previously funded or be currently funded by the ESLR (or EESLR) program as a primary investigator (PI) or funded collaborator.
PIs must be employees of an eligible entity listed above; and applications must be submitted through that entity. Non-Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements for application submission.
Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2023 Federal appropriations. It is anticipated that at least $250,000 may be available in Fiscal Year 2023 for the first year for all projects combined. If funds become available for this program, 1-2 projects are expected to be funded at the level of $50,000 to $250,000 per year per proposal. Projects are expected not to exceed $500,000 or 2 years in duration. NCCOS/CRP may reject any proposals submitted with an annual budget that is greater than $250,000 for any year. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2023 start date, however a future fiscal year start date is possible, pending appropriations.
