FY23-24 CRCP State and Territorial Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements | NOAA NOS OCM 2023 2007487

FY23-24 CRCP State and Territorial Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements (NOAA) - FAQs

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY23-24 CRCP State and Territorial Coral Reef Conservation Cooperative Agreements opportunity, a funding program from NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.

2) What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose is to provide matching financial assistance to strengthen the ability of the lead coral reef management agencies in eligible U.S. jurisdictions to manage, monitor, and improve coral reef ecosystem conditions. The broader goal is to support coral reef management and monitoring programs and specific conservation projects that measurably improve coral reef health and resilience.

3) Who is the funding intended to support?

The funding is intended for the lead, governor-appointed coral reef management agencies that serve as the primary points of contact for coral reef conservation in their jurisdictions.

4) Which jurisdictions are included?

The opportunity applies to seven U.S. jurisdictions: American Samoa, Florida, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

5) Is eligibility open to nonprofits, universities, or other organizations?

No. Based on the announcement description, eligibility is limited in practice to the designated state, territorial, or commonwealth resource management agencies referenced in the opportunity. It is not structured as an open competition for nonprofits, universities, or other entities.

6) What type of award is this: grant or cooperative agreement?

Awards are issued as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants.

7) Why does it matter that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates that NOAA expects to be actively involved. The structure is designed to support close coordination between NOAA and the recipient during planning and implementation, align jurisdiction activities with CRCP priorities, and integrate federal expertise into on-the-ground reef management work.

8) What kinds of activities can be supported?

The opportunity is intended to fund coral reef management and monitoring programs as well as specific conservation projects, with an emphasis on measurable improvements to the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems in the eligible jurisdictions.

9) What funding amount was anticipated for the overall program?

For FY 2023, NOAA anticipated total program funding in the range of about $4 million to $5 million, subject to Congressional appropriations.

10) How much funding could an individual applicant request per year?

Individual applicants were expected to request roughly $500,000 to $900,000 per year. The exact level was tied to the applicant agency's existing capacity to carry out the proposed work.

11) What is the typical annual award size?

The typical award was expected to average about $600,000 annually.

12) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The published award ceiling for the opportunity is $1.8 million.

13) How many awards did NOAA anticipate making?

NOAA anticipated making about five awards.

14) Is the funding guaranteed from year to year?

No. Continued support into FY 2023 and beyond is not automatic. It is contingent on future funding availability, the recipient's ability to properly administer NOAA-provided federal funds, and performance during the first year of the award, as well as performance under any prior awards.

15) What factors affect whether continued funding is provided?

Continuation depends on (1) future funding availability, (2) whether the recipient can properly administer federal funds provided by NOAA, and (3) recipient performance during the first year and under any prior awards.

16) Which federal department administers this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

17) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCM 2023 2007487.

18) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?

The CFDA number (now called the Assistance Listing number) is 11.482.

19) What subject or activity areas does the opportunity cover?

The activity areas span environment, natural resources, and science and technology/research and development. The listing is also tagged under business and commerce.

20) When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on August 10, 2022, and the original closing date was February 15, 2023.

21) What does "discretionary funding" mean in this context?

In this context, it means the funding is subject to Congressional appropriations and NOAA's award decisions; it is not an entitlement or guaranteed funding stream.

22) What does "matching financial assistance" indicate?

The announcement describes the assistance as matching financial assistance. This indicates the program is structured around a match requirement, although the specific match percentage or match rules are not provided in the information summarized here.

23) Who serves as the primary point of contact for coral reef conservation in each jurisdiction?

The lead, governor-appointed coral reef management agencies are treated as the primary points of contact for coral reef conservation in their jurisdictions.

24) What is the overarching conservation outcome NOAA is trying to achieve?

The overarching outcome is to support projects and programs that measurably improve the condition, health, and resilience of coral reef ecosystems in the seven eligible jurisdictions.