National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Collaborative Science Program 2019

The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA is soliciting applications to administer a 5-year, applied research program that supports collaborative research in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS).

This funding opportunity will provide support for the grantee to develop and administer a comprehensive national program that funds extramural collaborative science projects to address the system-wide research and management needs of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, while being responsive to local and regional reserve priorities and those of NOAA. The NERRS collaborative science program is intended to deliver highly credible and relevant information to the coastal management community by incorporating user input into the design and implementation of research projects and ensure that the outcomes support the needs of stakeholders. This program will also increase the capacity of the NERRS management, research, education, stewardship, and coastal training sectors to transfer information and skills to end-users and more effectively support coastal and estuarine resource management. A NERRS collaborative science program has been in existence for ten years, and this is the third competition for the five-year program.

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Eligible funding applicants are: non-federal institutions of higher education, other non-profits, state, local, Indian Tribal Governments, and commercial organizations. 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 the application. Examples might include, but are not limited to partnership services; serving in a review capacity; or participating in priority task teams, working groups, or leadership teams. NOAA Office for Coastal Management employees and contractors are not permitted to assist in the preparation of applications for any application. Letters of support from NOAA Office for Coastal Management employees or contractors are not allowable and will not be included among the application materials considered by merit reviewers. NOAA Office for Coastal Management staff listed in this funding opportunity are available to provide general information on programmatic goals and objectives, ongoing NERRS programs/activities, and funding priorities. DOC and NOAA support cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to this program. In addition, DOC and NOAA are strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC and NOAA encourage applications involving any of the above institutions to apply. The lead applicant on any proposal will be responsible for ensuring that allocated funds are used for the purposes of, and in a manner consistent with, this program, including any funds awarded to an eligible sub-awardee.