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.
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).
Deadlines:
- Required Letter of Intent: Nov. 18, 2023
- Full Applications: Jan. 24, 2024
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. DOC/NOAA encourages applications involving any of the above institutions to apply.
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.
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.