[Coral-List] 2014-2015 NOAA International Coral Reef Cooperative Agreements

[Eileen Alicea - NOAA Affiliate]

2014-2015 NOAA International Coral Reef Cooperative Agreements

*FULL FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT*:
For specific details on this opportunity, please refer to the full Federal
Funding Opportunity announcement found at
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html. Search for Funding
Opportunity Number NOAA-NOS-OCRM-2014-2003838 or CFDA Number 11.482. *Please
note that the pre-application is NOT to be submitted through Grants.gov and
has an earlier due date that the published due date for the final
application*.

*DUE DATE FOR APPLICATIONS*:
*Pre-applications must be submitted by 5 p.m., U.S. Eastern Standard Time,
on Friday, December 6, 2013*, preferably by email to coral.grants at noaa.gov.
 Final applications, by invitation only, must be received by 5 p.m., U.S.
Eastern Standard Time, on Friday, February 28, 2014 through www.grants.gov.

*2014 AWARDS*:
Funding for the FY2014-2015 competition is subject to the availability of
Congressional appropriations and is expected to be approximately $600,000.
NOAA expects that each applicant will request Federal funding at an annual
funding level between $150,000 and $300,000 over a 24-month (2-year) award
period. Continued funding depends on future Congressional appropriations,
NOAA/CRCP priorities, and recipient performance in the first year(s) of the
award. Eligible geographic areas are: the Wider Caribbean, independent
Samoa and Freely Associated States of the Pacific.

*SUMMARY OF PROGRAM PRIORITIES*
In FY 2014, the CRCP will accept applications for 2-year cooperative
agreements focused on building international capacity for the effective
ecosystem-based management of coral reef ecosystems, particularly in
support of regional ocean governance initiatives in priority international
regions. As outlined in the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
International Strategy 2010-2015 (International Strategy, which can be
found at
http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/strategy/currentgoals/resources/intl_strategy.pdf),
CRCP’s international efforts align with the program’s twenty-year strategic
goals and five-year objectives, which are designed to effectively reduce
threats to coral reefs internationally. It focuses on the regions and
specific coral reef conservation activities where the CRCP can have the
greatest impact while building on NOAA strengths, partnerships, resources
and expertise.

The four Goals of the CRCP International Strategy are to:
1) Work with regional initiatives to build MPA networks and strengthen
local management capacity to improve and maintain resilience of coral reef
ecosystems and the human communities that depend on them (Priority Goal 1,
CRCP International Strategy);
2) Develop and implement tools and practices to more effectively observe,
predict, communicate, and manage climate change impacts in priority
international locations (Goal 2, CRCP International Strategy);
3) Strengthen local and national capacity and policy frameworks to reduce
impacts of fishing on coral reef ecosystems (Goal 3, CRCP International
Strategy); and,
4) Strengthen policy frameworks and institutional capacities to reduce
impacts to coral reef ecosystems from pollution due to land-based
activities (Goal 4, CRCP International Strategy).

Depending on the availability of funds, CRCP intends to support cooperative
agreements in each of three priority regions (the Wider Caribbean;
Micronesia; and independent Samoa). For each region, cooperative agreements
should (a) address Goals 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 of the CRCP International
Strategy; and (b) address specific considerations listed in the FFO for the
specific priority region.

*ELIGIBILITY*:
Eligible applicants are limited to the following categories: institutions
of higher education, U.S. and international non-profit organizations,
non-US government authorities, and commercial organizations. Individuals
and U.S. Federal agencies are not eligible. Priority will be given to
regional organizations that work in multiple countries and have a working
relationship and demonstrated experience working with the local government
authorities that manage the marine areas addressed. Applicants must
describe their past experience in the selected sites or countries and
whether there are any environmental conservation agreements in place with
the local partners and government authorities. It is strongly recommended
that applicants collaborate with local government authorities in the
project design and preparation of the application. Applicants must be in
good standing with all existing NOAA grants and/or cooperative funding
agreements in order to receive consideration for an award.

For specific country eligibility, please refer to Section III.A of the FFO.
The proposed work must be conducted at non-U.S. sites as described in
Section I.B of the FFO.

*COST SHARING OR MATCH REQUIREMENTS*:
Coral conservation projects funded under this program require a 1:1 match.
Matching funds must be from non-Federal sources and can include in-kind
contributions and other non-cash support. Please refer to section III.B.
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement of the FFO for information on match
waiver request requirements.

FOR INQUIRIES WRITE TO: International.coral.grants at noaa.gov