: 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 (CSCOR)/Coastal Ocean Program (COP)] is soliciting proposals for the Prevention Control and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Bloom (PCMHAB) and Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB) programs. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2023 Federal appropriations. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2023 start date. An informational webinar on this solicitation will be offered within approximately two weeks from the publication date of the NOFO. Information regarding this announcement, including webinars and additional background information, is available on the NCCOS funding opportunities website (https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/)
Deadline for Required Letters of Intent: Nov. 8, 2022
PCMHAB: The PCMHAB program transitions promising technologies and strategies for preventing, controlling, or mitigating HABs and their impacts from development through demonstration and technology transfer for field application by end-users. This process includes research, development, demonstration, and transfer of a technology for application by end-users. Actions and approaches supported by the PCMHAB program aim to reduce the incidence and severity of HABs, control their spread, and lessen ecological and socio-economic impacts related to HABs. This funding opportunity will focus on mitigation by requesting proposals for the development, demonstration, and transfer of methods to end-users for detecting or monitoring HAB toxins in molluscan shellfish and other seafood to protect public health.
MERHAB: Recognizing the need for enhanced and sustainable capacity for HAB monitoring and response, the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Competitive Research Program initiated and maintains the MERHAB research program (10). The principal objective of MERHAB is to build local, regional, and national capacity for monitoring and response through enhanced HAB monitoring by states, tribes and indigenous communities, regional observing associations, aquaculture operations, and the private sector. MERHAB develops less costly and more precise and comprehensive approaches to monitor phytoplankton cells and algal toxins and rapidly respond to HAB events.
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 interagency 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.
PCMHAB: It is anticipated that approximately $500,000 may be available in Fiscal Year 2023 for the first year for all PCMHAB projects. If that level of funding becomes available for this program, 2 to 4 targeted projects lasting from 1 to 2 years in duration are expected to be funded. Specific guidelines for approximate budget requests include $125,000-$250,000 per year per proposal. Projects are expected not to exceed 2 years in duration. NCCOS/CRP may reject any PCMHAB proposals submitted with an annual budget that is greater than $250,000 for any year.
MERHAB: It is anticipated that approximately $2,300,000 may be available in Fiscal Year 2023 for the first year for all MERHAB projects. If that level of funding becomes available for this program, 6 to 9 projects lasting from 3 to 5 years in duration are expected to be funded. Specific guidelines for approximate budget requests include $200,000-$300,000 per year for targeted projects and $500,000-$600,000 per year for regional projects. NCCOS/CRP may reject any MERHAB proposals submitted with an annual budget that is greater than $600,000 for any year.
