Community-based Restoration Program Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants | NOAA NMFS HCPO 2016 2004800

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Community-based Restoration Program Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants opportunity?

It is a NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) funding opportunity, offered through the NOAA Restoration Center, that supports on-the-ground coastal and marine habitat restoration projects. The program is aimed at directly improving fish habitat so that fish populations are healthier and ecosystems and coastal communities are more resilient.

What types of projects is this program trying to fund?

The opportunity is designed for practical, implementable coastal and marine habitat restoration actions that occur on the ground (as opposed to purely conceptual efforts). Projects are expected to improve habitat conditions that support fish, and to demonstrate how those habitat improvements translate into biological benefits for targeted species.

What does "ecosystem-based restoration approach" mean in this notice?

In this notice, an ecosystem-based restoration approach means projects should address habitat needs in a way that reflects how species interact with their environment and with each other. The emphasis is on restoration actions with ecological context, rather than a single narrow action that is disconnected from broader ecosystem function.

Which species benefits are most important for competitiveness?

A central priority is measurable benefit to species NOAA is responsible for managing and recovering. Proposals are primarily judged on how convincingly they show benefits to (1) threatened or endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including NMFS "Species in the Spotlight," and (2) fish stocks managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Do proposals need to target ESA-listed species or "Species in the Spotlight" to be competitive?

The notice states that proposals are primarily judged on how convincingly they show that restoration will help recover ESA-listed species, including those identified as "Species in the Spotlight," and how the work will support Magnuson-Stevens managed fish stocks. Competitive applications should clearly connect habitat improvements to biological outcomes for one or more species within NOAA's management scope.

What is NOAA looking for in a strong proposal?

The notice indicates successful proposals are expected to do three things well: (1) identify a specific habitat-based problem limiting recovery or long-term sustainability for the target species (examples include degraded spawning habitat, blocked fish passage, loss of nursery habitat, altered hydrology, poor water quality, or reduced coastal complexity); (2) describe the restoration actions in detail, focusing on practical work that will occur on the ground; and (3) define clear outcome goals with measurable indicators of impact to show improved conditions for target species and broader ecosystem function.

What does the notice mean by "measurable benefit" and "measurable indicators"?

Based on the notice language, "measurable benefit" refers to demonstrating concrete biological outcomes for targeted species that NOAA manages. "Measurable indicators" means the proposal should include indicators of impact that can show whether the project improved conditions for target species and contributed to broader ecosystem function, aligning with the notice's emphasis on accountability and demonstrating results.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

Awards under this solicitation are made as cooperative agreements. The notice explains this typically means NOAA expects substantial involvement in the project through coordination, oversight, and/or technical engagement, rather than issuing a hands-off grant.

How long can a project last?

The program will consider both one-year and multi-year projects, with an award period of up to three years.

Is there any possibility of additional funding after the initial award?

The notice indicates that additional funding increments could be released to support selected projects through FY18 without requiring another competition, but this depends on future appropriations.

How much funding can an applicant request?

NOAA indicates that typical federal awards are expected to range from $300,000 to $2 million total over one to three years. However, the solicitation includes firm limits: NOAA will not accept applications requesting less than $100,000 in federal funds, and it will not accept requests above $5 million total over three years.

What is the minimum request amount allowed?

The minimum allowed request is $100,000 in federal funds. Applications requesting less than $100,000 in federal funds will not be accepted.

What is the maximum request amount allowed?

The maximum allowed request is $5,000,000 total over three years. Requests above $5 million total over three years will not be accepted.

How much total funding was anticipated to be available for FY16?

For FY16, NOAA anticipated up to $9 million available under this funding opportunity, though the actual amount depends on what Congress appropriates to NOAA in FY16 through FY18 budgets.

How many awards did NOAA expect to make?

The notice anticipated about 15 awards, although the actual number and size of awards depend on appropriations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across the public, nonprofit, academic, and private sectors, as long as the applicant is not a federal agency. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit (commercial) organizations, U.S. territories, and state, local, and Native American tribal governments.

Can federal agencies apply?

No. Federal agencies cannot apply directly under this opportunity. The notice also indicates federal employees cannot apply directly.

Can federal agencies or federal staff participate at all?

Yes. Although federal agencies and federal employees cannot apply directly, the notice encourages them to participate as partners by working with eligible entities such as states, local governments, or nonprofits.

Where must projects be located?

Projects must be located in geographic areas that benefit species with a clear nexus to NOAA management. The notice references specific geographic and species linkage requirements in the opportunity's eligibility section.

Does the program require a clear connection between the restoration work and NOAA-managed species?

Yes. The notice emphasizes that a competitive application needs to clearly connect the proposed habitat improvements to concrete biological outcomes for one or more targeted species within NOAA's management scope.

What kind of habitat problems does the notice give as examples?

Examples listed include degraded spawning habitat, blocked fish passage, loss of nursery habitat, altered hydrology, poor water quality, and reduced coastal complexity.

Which federal department administers this program?

The notice identifies this as a discretionary program from the Department of Commerce, offered by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) through the NOAA Restoration Center.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The notice lists CFDA 11.463.

What was the application closing date stated in the notice?

The notice originally listed an application closing date of April 6, 2016.

What is the award ceiling stated in the notice?

The award ceiling is $5,000,000, aligning with the stated maximum request cap over three years.

How are proposals primarily judged, according to the notice?

The notice states proposals are primarily judged on how convincingly they show that the restoration work will help recover ESA-listed threatened or endangered species (including "Species in the Spotlight") and how the work will sustain, rebuild, or otherwise support Magnuson-Stevens managed fish stocks.

What does the notice emphasize about accountability?

The notice frames accountability as a central theme: projects should be well designed and well justified, and should be capable of demonstrating results through clear outcome goals and measurable indicators of impact.