Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Tribal Engagement in Regional Ocean Partnership Priorities

Eligible funding applicants include U.S. federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations as defined at 25 U.S.C. Section 5304. See also 2 CFR 200.1. While tribalorganizations are allowed to apply on behalf of one or more tribes, they must include a letter confirming tribal leadership support for the application and describing how the tribe will be involved in the proposed work.Eligible applicants must have current and/or ancestral interests in a region with an established Regional Ocean Partnership and wish to pursue coastal and ocean activities that align with Regional Ocean Partnership priorities. The established Regional Ocean Partnerships are: the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (https://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/); the West Coast Ocean Alliance (https://westcoastoceanalliance.org/); the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (https://www.northeastoceancouncil.org/); and, the Mid Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (https://www.midatlanticocean.org/).Tribal-serving organizations may apply on behalf of one or more tribes, but must include a letter(s) from the tribe(s) confirming tribal leadership support for the application anddescribing how the tribe will be involved in the proposed work. Each tribal government may be involved in up to two applications which may include individual tribal proposals and/or involvement in an intertribal proposal. See III.C. below for more details. Organizations that identify as Indian tribes but do not meet the definition of “Indian tribe” or“tribal organization” as defined at 25 U.S.C. section 5304(e) or (l), which may include State recognized tribes, may not receive direct funding under this announcement, but mayparticipate in partnership applications with eligible tribes or tribal organizations, or through involvement in a separate NOAA Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act fundingNotice of Federal Funding Page 7 of 35 opportunity for Regional Ocean Partnerships published at www.grants.gov.Federal agencies and employees are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement, but may serve as collaborative project partners. If federal agencies are collaborators, applicants are expected to provide detail on the planned level of federal engagement in theapplication. Examples may include, but are not limited to, partnership services, serving in a review capacity, or participating in priority task teams, working groups, or leadership teams. DOC/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to participate in proposals submitted to this program. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in historically underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages applications involving any of the above institutions to apply.

Kris Wall NOAA Office for Coastal Management Phone: 541-843-0252