The purpose of this document is to advise the public that the NOAA RESTORE Science Program is soliciting proposals for projects of five years in duration with the option for a five year, non-competitive renewal award for high-performing projects. This announcement invites proposals that request funding for partnerships that include researchers, resource managers, and other interested parties to conduct a collaborative research project that will identify, track, understand, or predict trends and variability in the Gulf of Mexico’s natural resources and the abiotic and biotic factors driving those trends. Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds in the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. It is anticipated that final recommendations for funding under this Announcement will be made in June 2025, and that projects funded under this Announcement will have a October 1, 2025 start date.
Total funding for this competition will be approximately $17.5 million over five years and approximately six projects may be funded. The minimum individual award amount is approximately $1 million over five years (an average of $200,000 per year) and the maximum individual award amount is approximately $4 million over five years (an average of $800,000 per year). An additional $21 million may be available for five year, non-competitive renewals for high performing projects. Information regarding this Announcement, including webinars and additional background information, is available on the Science Program’s website (https://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/funding-opportunities/ffo-2025).
This Announcement invites proposals that will identify, track, understand, or predict trends and variability in the Gulf of Mexico’s natural resources and the abiotic and biotic factors driving those trends. Applicants are required to form a team of researchers, resource managers, and other interested parties focused on the natural resource management issue(s) they intend to investigate.
Deadlines:
- REQUIRED Letter of Intent: May 23, 2024
- Applications: Aug. 22, 2024
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education; not-for-profit institutions; for-profit
organizations; local, state, and tribal government entities; and U.S. territories and federal
agencies that possess the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work. The
lead applicant must be from a U.S.-based entity.
The Department of Commerce and NOAA support cultural and gender diversity and
encourage proposals involving women and minority investigators, participants, and groups.
In addition, the Department of Commerce and NOAA are 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. The
Department of Commerce and NOAA encourage any of the above institutions to apply.
Funding is contingent upon availability of funds in the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. It is anticipated that total funding for this funding opportunity will be approximately $17.5 million and will fund approximately six projects. The minimum individual award amount is approximately $1 million over five years (an average of $200,000 per year) and the maximum individual award amount is approximately $4 million over five years (an average of $800,000 per year) in duration. An additional $21 million may be available for five year, non-competitive renewals for high performing projects.