National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2021 | NOAA NOS OCM 2021 2006713

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2021 2006713

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2021 is a NOAA funding opportunity designed to strengthen and expand the physical foundation of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. NERRS is a nationwide network of protected estuarine sites across the United States and its territories that are set aside and managed specifically to support long-term research, monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. Each reserve is selected to represent a distinct biogeographic region and to include a range of ecosystem types, following the national classification approach described in federal regulations at 15 CFR Part 921. Through this grant program, NOAA aims to protect important lands and waters within reserves, support strategic land acquisition where it advances the reserve mission, and fund construction projects that improve or develop facilities and exhibits that serve research and public education needs, with an emphasis on achieving the highest sustainable design standards feasible.

Funding under this announcement is intended for two main categories of work: land acquisition and construction. Land acquisition projects generally focus on securing key parcels that help conserve sensitive habitats, protect water quality, maintain ecological integrity, or prevent incompatible development that could undermine the reserve's long-term value for science and education. Construction projects can include building, renovating, or improving facilities that directly support reserve operations and mission delivery, such as research and monitoring infrastructure, education and visitor facilities, interpretive exhibits, and other mission-critical reserve improvements. Overall, NOAA frames these investments as a way to ensure reserves remain protected and functional over the long term, while also improving the capacity of reserves to host researchers, engage learners, and communicate estuarine science to the public.

For FY 2021, NOAA anticipated approximately $4.5 million total available for award. The agency expected to fund roughly 5 to 20 projects, depending on the size and scope of proposals and final appropriations. Individual awards were projected to range from about $20,000 up to $1,000,000 (the stated award ceiling), with typical project periods of about 12 to 36 months. This range suggests the program is designed to accommodate both smaller, targeted upgrades and larger capital or acquisition efforts, as long as they clearly tie back to NERRS mission needs and comply with applicable program rules.

Eligibility is narrowly focused on entities that already play formal roles in the NERRS network. Eligible applicants are designated NERRS lead state agencies or universities in coastal states and U.S. territories that receive NERRS operations funding through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NOAA. This includes coastal and Great Lakes jurisdictions across regions such as the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic Coast, and Great Lakes. Applicants are expected to meet the requirements laid out in the NERRS regulations, specifically 15 CFR 921.32, which outlines roles, responsibilities, and other eligibility-related conditions for reserve lead agencies and partners within the system.

Federal agencies and federal employees cannot receive funds directly under this opportunity. However, NOAA allows federal partners to participate in a collaborative capacity. If a federal agency is involved, the application is expected to describe the planned level of federal engagement, such as serving in review roles or participating on task teams, working groups, or leadership teams. A key restriction is that federal in-kind contributions cannot be counted toward any required non-federal match or shared cost component from the applicant, meaning applicants must ensure that any cost share is met through eligible non-federal sources rather than federal labor or services.

Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA. The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCM 2021 2006713, and it is associated with CFDA number 11.420. The original closing date listed for applications was February 12, 2021. The program sits at the intersection of environment, natural resources, and research and development activities, reflecting its dual emphasis on conservation outcomes (through land protection) and scientific and educational outcomes (through research-ready and public-facing facilities).

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2021" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.420.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-10-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-02-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2021 2006713

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