The NOAA Sea Grant College Program's FY2025 Disaster Preparedness for Coastal Communities funding opportunity seeks innovative projects that address disaster preparedness gaps in underserved or vulnerable coastal communities. The program supports initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience and recovery from natural and anthropogenic disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, harmful algal blooms, and oil spills. Projects should directly benefit coastal communities and their natural or cultural resources. Approximately $900,000 in federal funds are available, with individual awards ranging from $160,000 to $200,000. Projects are expected to span up to two years and start between September 1 and December 1, 2025.

Eligible applicants include established Sea Grant College Programs, Institutional Programs, and Coherent Area Programs operating in the United States or its territories. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by April 2, 2025. There is no cost-sharing requirement for this opportunity. Proposals must align with program priorities, such as capacity building, innovative disaster response strategies, and community-focused preparedness solutions. Successful applicants are expected to present their findings at a national conference during the project period.

Proposals should include a comprehensive project narrative, a detailed budget with justifications, a data management plan, and compliance with environmental regulations. Applications are evaluated based on relevance, scientific and technical merit, qualifications of the applicants, and the quality of the outreach and education plan. The review process includes at least three expert reviews and considers diversity, equity, and inclusion in project design and execution.

Applicants are encouraged to begin the registration process for necessary systems, including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, well in advance of the deadline. NOAA emphasizes the importance of public engagement and dissemination of project results to ensure community benefits and widespread impact. Additional guidance and resources, such as webinars, are available through the National Sea Grant Office to assist applicants in preparing competitive submissions.