NOAA RESTORE Science Program FFO-2025: Long-term Trends
Agency: DOC NOAA - ERA Production
Posted: 2024-03-26 | Closing date: 2024-08-22
Estimated total program funding: 17500000
Award ceiling: 4000000
Award floor: 1000000
Expected number of awards: 6
Cost sharing or matching requirement: No

The purpose of this document is to advise the public that the NOAA RESTORE Science Program is soliciting proposals for projects of five years in duration with the option for a five year, non-competitive renewal award for high-performing projects. This announcement invites proposals that request funding for partnerships that include researchers, resource managers, and other interested parties to conduct a collaborative research project that will identify, track, understand, or predict trends and variability in the Gulf of Mexico’s natural resources and the abiotic and biotic factors driving those trends. Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds in the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. It is anticipated that final recommendations for funding under this Announcement will be made in June 2025, and that projects funded under this Announcement will have a October 1, 2025 start date. Total funding for this competition will be approximately $17.5 million over five years and approximately six projects may be funded. The minimum individual award amount is approximately $1 million over five years (an average of $200,000 per year) and the maximum individual award amount is approximately $4 million over five years (an average of $800,000 per year). An additional $21 million may be available for five year, non-competitive renewals for high performing projects. Information regarding this Announcement, including webinars and additional background information, is available on the Science Program’s website (https://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/funding-opportunities/ffo-2025).The NOAA RESTORE Science Program encourages applicants and awardees to support the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work. Promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity improves the creativity, productivity, and vitality of the research and management communities and leads to more robust natural resource management decisions.Electronic Access: The NOAA RESTORE Science Program website (http://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/) furnishes supplementary information. Full proposals should be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov).

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education; not-for-profit institutions; for-profit organizations; local, state, and tribal government entities; and U.S. territories and federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work. The lead applicant must be from a U.S.-based entity. Science Program funding opportunities may not be used to hire and fund the salaries of any permanent federal employees. Federal award recipients may use their funding to cover travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated with the proposed work.Investigators are not required to be employed by an eligible entity that is based in one of the five Gulf of Mexico States (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas). However, investigators that are not employed by or associated with Gulf of Mexico-based eligible entities are strongly encouraged to collaborate with partners from Gulf of Mexico-based eligible entities.Foreign researchers may participate by submitting a sub-award or contract through an eligible U.S. entity. Science Program funding may not be spent in Cuba.The Department of Commerce and NOAA support cultural and gender diversity and encourage proposals involving women and minority investigators, participants, and groups. In addition, the Department of Commerce 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. The Department of Commerce and NOAA encourage any of the above institutions to apply.