FY 2025-2029 Reef Research Coordinating Institute Designation and Cooperative Agreements | NOAA NOS OCM 2025 28920

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY 2025-2029 Reef Research Coordinating Institute Designation and Cooperative Agreements opportunity?

This is a NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) funding announcement to designate and fund two Reef Research Coordinating Institutes (RRCIs) that will serve as major coordination hubs for coral reef science and action across U.S. coral reef jurisdictions, with one institute in the Atlantic basin and one in the Pacific basin.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP).

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCM 2025 28920.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 11.482.

What type of funding instrument is this?

The awards are structured as cooperative agreements.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement means NOAA expects to be substantially involved during the award period. This includes coordination, shared planning, and other hands-on federal participation that is typical of cooperative agreements, rather than a fully hands-off grant model.

How many institutes will NOAA designate and fund?

NOAA plans to designate and fund two institutes total: one Atlantic Reef Research Coordination Institute and one Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute.

Will there be one award per ocean basin?

Yes. Only one Coral Reef Research Center in each ocean basin will receive the RRCI designation and the associated financial assistance award.

How long is the initial period of performance?

The initial designation and cooperative agreement cover a five-year period of performance from FY 2025 through FY 2029.

Can the designation and award be renewed?

Yes. NOAA indicates the RRCI designation and cooperative agreement may be renewed for up to an additional five years without competition, contingent on factors such as funding availability and performance.

What is the main purpose of creating these RRCIs?

The overall intent is to strengthen, align, and accelerate coral reef research and its practical use in restoration and management for shallow-water coral reef ecosystems in U.S. states and territories.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that were previously designated by CRCP in 2024 as a Coral Reef Research Center under the Coral Reef Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 6401(b)). The eligible pool is restricted to the specified list of institutes of higher education and nonprofit organizations that hold that 2024 designation.

Are applicants outside the 2024 designated Coral Reef Research Centers eligible?

No. The announcement states eligibility is tightly limited to organizations that were designated by CRCP in 2024 as Coral Reef Research Centers under the Coral Reef Conservation Act.

Can multiple Coral Reef Research Centers apply together?

Yes. NOAA allows a consortium approach where multiple Coral Reef Research Centers collaborate on one application.

If a consortium applies, who holds the RRCI designation and administers the award?

The submitting Coral Reef Research Center would hold the RRCI designation and would be solely responsible for administering the award, even if multiple centers collaborate on the application.

Are there location requirements for the Pacific RRCI?

Yes. The Pacific RRCI must be located within American Samoa, Guam, or Hawaii.

Are there location requirements for the Atlantic RRCI?

Yes. The Atlantic RRCI must be located within Florida, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Why do the basin-based location constraints matter?

They define where the coordinating institute will be based and reflect NOAA expectations about proximity to priority reefs, local partners, and jurisdictional management needs within each basin.

What kinds of activities are the RRCIs expected to carry out?

NOAA is looking for institutes that can operate across a broad portfolio linking science to on-the-ground outcomes. Expected activities include conducting research; supporting ecological research and monitoring; coordinating field efforts; synthesizing datasets; improving comparability of methods; helping ensure results are actionable; building capacity within jurisdictional resource management agencies; translating research findings into management and restoration practices; and supporting public education and awareness.

What does NOAA mean by supporting ecological research and monitoring "more broadly"?

The announcement describes this as potentially including coordination of field efforts, synthesis of datasets, improvements to method comparability, and support to ensure monitoring and research results are usable for decision-making and implementation.

Is building management capacity part of the expected scope?

Yes. A major emphasis is building capacity within jurisdictional resource management agencies, potentially including support for personnel, training on jurisdiction-driven topics, and/or management of a national fellowship program.

Are the institutes expected to translate science into practice?

Yes. The RRCIs are expected to translate research findings into management and restoration practices by producing guidance, tools, decision support, and implementation pathways that managers and practitioners can realistically use.

Is public education and outreach included in the scope?

Yes. Public education and awareness is explicitly included, so outreach, communication products, and engagement strategies are part of what NOAA expects the institutes to support.

How much funding is available?

NOAA anticipates that up to $4,500,000 may be available annually for distribution between the two RRCIs. The award ceiling is listed as $4,500,000.

Is the $4,500,000 amount guaranteed for each institute?

No. The announcement indicates the amount is anticipated annually for distribution between the two institutes, rather than guaranteeing a fixed split or fixed annual amount for each RRCI.

What factors affect the actual annual funding level?

Actual annual funding will depend on CRCP appropriations, evolving national and state priorities, the quality of projects proposed and selected during negotiations, and satisfactory progress toward proposed goals and outcomes.

Should applicants expect the budget and work plan to stay fixed over five years?

No. The announcement signals that budgeting and work planning may be influenced by annual federal appropriations and performance-based considerations, and may be refined during award negotiations.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is January 31, 2025.

What registrations are required to apply and receive an award?

Organizations must complete and maintain registrations in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons.

How long can the registration process take?

NOAA emphasizes that the combined registration process can take 4 to 6 weeks, so applicants should start early.

Is a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) required?

Organizations may need to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov before registering in eRA Commons.

What roles/accounts are needed in eRA Commons for submission?

eRA Commons registration requires the organization to set up at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account to submit an application.

What if an applicant does not have effective internet access?

Applicants without effective internet access are directed to contact the agency points of contact for alternative submission instructions.

Can NOAA employees help write or prepare an application?

No. NOAA employees cannot help write or prepare applications.

What kind of help can CRCP staff provide before submission?

CRCP staff can provide general information on program goals, existing coral reef conservation activities, and regional priorities.

Are letters of support from NOAA employees allowed?

No. Letters of support from NOAA employees are not allowed and will not be considered by reviewers.

If a proposal involves collaboration with NOAA staff or projects, what can NOAA provide?

NOAA personnel may provide a limited statement confirming the nature and extent of collaboration and that prior coordination has occurred, if the proposal involves collaboration with current NOAA projects or staff.

Can federal agencies or federal employees receive funds under this announcement?

No. Federal agencies and federal employees cannot receive funds under this announcement.

Can federal partners still participate in the work?

Yes. Federal agencies and employees may participate as partners, and applicants are expected to clearly describe the planned level of federal engagement (such as technical participation, review roles, or participation in task teams or working groups).

What should applicants say about NOAA's role during the project?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, applicants should be prepared to describe the planned level of federal engagement and coordination, consistent with substantial NOAA involvement during the award period.

What are the two institute designations called?

The two designations are the Atlantic Reef Research Coordination Institute and the Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute.

What kinds of organizations are included in the eligible pool?

The eligible pool is described as a specified list of institutes of higher education and nonprofit organizations that were designated by CRCP in 2024 as Coral Reef Research Centers, including examples such as certain universities, sea grant programs, marine laboratories, and conservation nonprofits.