The Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Round 3 aim to support habitat restoration projects that enhance the resilience of coastal, marine, estuarine, and Great Lakes ecosystems while fostering community resilience to climate-related hazards. This program emphasizes large-scale, transformative projects that restore habitat, strengthen ecosystems, improve fisheries, recover endangered species, and benefit underserved, tribal, and Indigenous communities. A significant focus is on projects that mitigate climate hazards such as storms, flooding, and sea-level rise through natural and nature-based solutions.

The funding opportunity prioritizes high-impact habitat restoration projects that align with regional conservation priorities, rebuild productive fisheries, and contribute to threatened and endangered species recovery. Projects may include activities such as feasibility studies, engineering and design, permitting, on-the-ground implementation, and pre- and post-project monitoring. Special consideration will be given to projects ready for immediate implementation (“shovel-ready”) and those that will be completed within a two-to-three year performance period. Capacity-building and community engagement efforts that involve tribal, Indigenous, and underserved communities are also encouraged, as this program supports the Justice40 Initiative to ensure at least 40 percent of the benefits flow to disadvantaged populations.

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, non-profits, educational institutions, U.S. territories, and commercial organizations. Federal agencies and foreign entities may participate as partners but are not eligible to apply directly. Up to 15 percent of the total funding will be specifically allocated to Indian Tribes and Native American organizations through direct awards or subawards. Projects must be located in coastal, estuarine, or Great Lakes regions within the United States.

The total anticipated funding available for this competition is 100 million dollars, with award amounts ranging from 750,000 dollars to 10 million dollars. Typical awards are expected to range between four million and six million dollars. While there is no formal matching requirement, cost-sharing through leveraged funds is encouraged and will be considered during proposal evaluation. Budgets must be clear, realistic, and allocate most of the funding to restoration-related activities.

Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than April 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required submission materials include federal application forms (SF-424 series), a project narrative, a detailed budget, and supplemental materials like project designs, maps, and letters of support. The narrative should outline project goals, activities, ecological and community benefits, alignment with program priorities, and any plans for monitoring and sustaining the project’s impact.

Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with program priorities, technical merit, applicant qualifications, cost-effectiveness, and community engagement strategy. Evaluation criteria include the project's ability to restore priority habitats, strengthen ecosystem and community resilience, meaningfully engage tribal and underserved communities, and provide measurable benefits within a two-to-three year timeframe. NOAA anticipates announcing awards by January 1, 2026, with performance periods of up to three years.

For additional information or technical assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact NOAA’s Restoration Center staff prior to submission. Applicants should also ensure timely registration in federal systems, including SAM.gov and Grants.gov, as delays will not extend the submission deadline.