NOAA's Coastal Ocean Program in the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR/COP) is a unique Federal- academic partnership designed to provide predictive capability for managing coastal ecosystems.

CSCOR/COP seeks to deliver the highest-quality science in a timely manner for important

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coastal policy decisions by supporting high-priority research and interagency initiatives related to NOAA's mission in three goal areas: harmful algal blooms, hypoxia and regional ecosystem research.

CSCOR/COP supports research on critical issues which exist in the Nation's estuaries, coastal waters and the Great Lakes; and translates its findings into accessible information for coastal managers, planners, lawmakers and the public.

For purposes of the RESTORE Act program; to increase understanding of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and support its long-term sustainability, including its fish stocks, habitats, wildlife, and fishing industries.

Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2016: CSCOR continued to support it's harmful algal bloom (HAB) and hypoxia research with monitoring and modeling capabilities to provide managers with seasonal HAB and hypoxia forecasts in numerous regions in the US including the Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Erie, Gulf of Maine, and coastal Washington, Oregon, and California. New studies are supporting the ecological effects of sea level rise on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, San Francisco Bay, and unique Hawaiian Island inland ponds connected to the ocean. New support is provided for the combined effects of ocean acidification and hypoxia on living marine resources around the U.S. Socioeconomic studies are focusing on valuing ecosystem services. Fiscal Year 2017: CSCOR initiated new research projects in its harmful algal bloom research programs, as well as continue existing projects in its ecosystem stressors and regional research programs in coastal regions such as the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Gulf of Maine and Gulf of Mexico. Fiscal Year 2018: Pending appropriations, CSCOR expects to initiate new research project in its Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program, Hypoxia and Ocean Acidification programs, as well as continuing existing projects in its ecosystem stressors and regional research programs in coastal regions such as the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Gulf of Maine and Gulf of Mexico.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants may be used to fund research and interagency initiatives under specific CSCOR/ COP programs related to NOAA's mission in harmful algal blooms, hypoxia and regional ecosystem research and to increase understanding of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and support its long-term sustainability, including its fish stocks, habitats, wildlife, and fishing industries.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Institutions of higher education, not-for- profit institutions, State, , local and Indian tribal governments, commercial organizations and Federal agencies.

Foreign researchers may apply as subawards through an eligible US entity.

All applicants will be treated equally in the competitive process.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Organizations and individuals utilizing science in effectively managing the Nation?s coastal resources.

Credentials/Documentation

Proposals with statement of work, estimated budget, and curriculum vitae. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for educational institutions, and A-122 for nonprofit organizations. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Send an application for financial assistance (Standard Form 424) to CSCOR/COP with statement of work to be performed and proposed amount in response to a current funding announcement only. This program is subject to the requirements of CFR Part 14, 'Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of High Education, Hospitals, Other Nonprofit and Commercial Organization, which replaces OMB Circular No. A-110 as the administrative rules applicable to these awards. In addition, this program is subject to the requirements of 15 CFR Part 24, 'Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments', which replaces OMB A-102 as the administrative rule applicable to these awards. Proposals are submitted through Grants.Gov. Applicants will need to enter the funding opportunity number and/or the CFDA number to access the application package and instructions. Application package will then be submitted directly to the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research/Coastal Ocean Program. Proposals are subject to the requirements of 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24, as applicable.

Award Procedures

Awards are made on the basis of competitive peer review of proposals.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Navigation and Navagable Waters, 33 U.S.C 1442; Commerce and Trade, 15 U.S.C 1540; Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, Public Law 105-383; Navigation and Navigable Waters, 33 U.S.C 883d; Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended , 16 U.S.C 1456c; Coastal Ocean Program, Section 201c, Public Law 102-567; Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies (RESTORE) of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 RESTORE Act; , Section 16, Public Law 112-141.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 210 days from the time of proposal receipt.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

By negotiation with the CSOR/COP Office. Multi- year awards of two to five years may be approved. Once awarded, multi- year projects will not compete for funding in subsequent years. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of program funds in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of the Department.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

From one to five years, with funding approved annually. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Funds are released or reimbursed as agreed upon in the Standard Terms and Conditions required for each grant.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable.

Cash reports are not applicable.

Implementation plans are required annually.

Progress reports are due annually.

Financial status reports are required semi- annually.

Final reports are due ninety days after expiration of award.

Expenditure reports are not applicable.

Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Recipients and subrecipients that are State and local governments, institutions of higher education or other nonprofit organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (3 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular No. A-133. Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records

Records will be retained in accordance with provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obigations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 16 $7,728,299; FY 17 est $9,000,000; and FY 18 est $9,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Rob Magnien Rob Magnien, Director, NOAA/NOS/CSCOR/COP, 1305 East-West Highway, SSMC4, Station 8307, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Phone: 301-713-3338 Fax: 301-713-4044

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals are evaluated by competitive peer review taking into consideration primarily scientific merit and applicability to COP's research goals. Principal investigators' qualifications and cost are also considered, with cost subject to negotiation.