The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Habitat Conservation Program Office (HCPO) has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants under the Fishery Management Council Cooperative Agreements (FMCCA). This program, authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 6410), aims to support projects that conserve and sustainably manage coral reef fisheries and associated habitats. The program emphasizes improving compliance with fisheries laws, advancing scientific knowledge for better fisheries management, and promoting ecosystem-based fisheries management through data application and decision-support tools. Approximately $1,000,000 is anticipated for FY 2025, with awards expected to range between $125,000 and $300,000, and no single award exceeding $350,000.

Eligible applicants are limited to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. NOAA employees cannot assist in preparing applications, although they may provide general information on programmatic goals and priorities. Proposals must align with the draft National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy and focus on improving compliance with coral reef fisheries regulations, addressing scientific gaps related to key fishery taxa and their habitats, and advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management using tools like risk assessments and modeling. Collaborative efforts with jurisdictional fisheries management agencies are encouraged, and letters of commitment from jurisdictional partners must accompany applications.

The program requires a 1:1 non-federal cost-share match, but this requirement is waived for Fishery Management Councils under section 16 U.S.C. § 6410(b)(3) due to their fully federally funded budgets. Applications must include a project narrative with clear objectives, methodologies, timelines, and anticipated outcomes. Applicants should also include a budget table with a detailed justification, personnel qualifications, partner roles, and supporting documentation such as letters of support and permits. Proposals must adhere to a 45-page limit for project descriptions and related narratives, with all files formatted as PDF or Microsoft Word documents.

NOAA will fund selected projects through cooperative agreements, allowing for substantial federal involvement in project implementation. This may include technical collaboration, assistance with permitting, evaluation support, and coordination with other federal and state agencies. Projects must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental regulations. Applicants will be required to submit documentation related to environmental compliance, including the Environmental Compliance Questionnaire and evidence of necessary permits.

Successful applicants must submit quarterly performance and financial reports, including updates on key activities, accomplishments, challenges, and future work plans. Data and findings generated through the projects must be made publicly accessible in accordance with NOAA's Data/Information Sharing Directive. Final project deliverables must be of publishable quality, comply with Section 508 accessibility standards, and explicitly acknowledge NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) support.

Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on February 25, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals at least two business days before the deadline to address potential submission errors. Notifications of award decisions will follow a merit review process, with evaluation criteria based on technical merit, alignment with program priorities, feasibility, budget justification, and potential for long-term impact. NOAA reserves the right to make awards based on initial applications without additional negotiations. Further inquiries can be directed to Liz Fairey, the Federal Program Officer, at Liz.Fairey@noaa.gov or 301-427-8632.