The Coral Reef & Natural Resources (CRNR) Initiative provides grant funding to protect the health of all natural resources including coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. insular areas for the long-term economic and social benefit to their island populations including risk management, prevention, rapid response, eradication, and other efforts to combat invasive species and restore native species. Healthy coral reefs protect human communities from storm surges.

Eligible applicants are non-federal entities such as local government agencies (including utilities) in the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the Freely Associated Sates which are the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; hospitals/health centers, institutions of higher education and any non-profit organizations whose projects directly benefit the seven insular areas in accordance with Federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 2, Part 200 "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards" or 2 CFR 200. Per 2 CFR 200.444, OIA cannot provide funding to the Judicial or Legislative branches of local governments. Please see the Application Package Checklist.

Merriam Porter Merriam_Porter@ios.doi.gov