Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS RESTORE 2025 26020
NOAA is inviting proposals under the RESTORE Science Program (Funding Opportunity Number NOAA NOS RESTORE 2025 26020) to support long-term, collaborative research focused on the Gulf of Mexico. The central goal is to fund partnerships that can identify, track, understand, and in some cases predict long-term trends and variability in the Gulf's natural resources, along with the abiotic and biotic drivers behind those changes. The program is looking for projects that are not just academic exercises, but are built around real coordination among researchers, resource managers, and other stakeholders who use science to inform practical decisions in the region.
Awards will be made as cooperative agreements, which typically means NOAA expects an active level of involvement in the funded work compared to a standard grant. Projects are planned for five years in duration, and NOAA is also offering the possibility of an additional five-year, non-competitive renewal for projects that perform strongly. That renewal funding is described as potentially totaling about 21 million across renewals, but it is specifically tied to high performance and is not competed in the same way as the initial awards.
The competition is expected to support around six projects, with total initial funding estimated at roughly 17.5 million spread across five years, contingent on the availability of funds from the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. Individual project budgets are expected to fall between about 1 million and 4 million total over the five-year period, which works out to an average range of about 200,000 to 800,000 per year. NOAA anticipates making final funding recommendations around June 2025, and projects selected under this announcement are expected to start on October 1, 2025.
Eligibility is fairly broad. Applications may come from U.S.-based institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, local/state/tribal government entities, U.S. territories, and federal agencies that have the statutory authority to accept this type of funding. The lead applicant must be a U.S.-based entity. Investigators do not have to be employed by a Gulf-state institution, but NOAA strongly encourages teams that are not Gulf-based to partner with eligible entities located in the five Gulf of Mexico states (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) to ensure the work stays connected to regional capacity and on-the-ground needs. Foreign researchers can be involved, but only through a subaward or contract issued by an eligible U.S. entity, and program funds cannot be spent in Cuba.
In terms of allowable costs, NOAA notes that award funds may cover expenses such as travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated with the proposed research. At the same time, the funding opportunity makes clear that these funds cannot be used to hire or pay the salaries of permanent federal employees, which is a common restriction in federal grantmaking and important for budgeting and staffing plans.
Proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, and additional materials such as background information and webinars are available through the RESTORE Science Program website. The listed original closing date for the opportunity is August 22, 2024, so applicants need to pay close attention to the official notice and any amendments or updated deadlines posted through the program page and Grants.gov.
Finally, NOAA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as an expected value in both proposal development and project execution, framing it as a way to strengthen the creativity and effectiveness of the broader research and management community and to support more robust natural resource decision-making. NOAA and the Department of Commerce also explicitly encourage participation by women and minority investigators and highlight a commitment to expanding involvement from institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and organizations working in underserved areas.Apply for NOAA NOS RESTORE 2025 26020
- The DOC NOAA - ERA Production in the natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOAA RESTORE Science Program FFO-2025: Long-term Trends" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.451.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-22. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: NOAA RESTORE Science Program (FON: NOAA NOS RESTORE 2025 26020)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a NOAA funding opportunity under the RESTORE Science Program (Funding Opportunity Number NOAA NOS RESTORE 2025 26020) to support long-term, collaborative research focused on the Gulf of Mexico.
What is the main goal of the RESTORE Science Program competition described here?
The central goal is to fund partnerships that can identify, track, understand, and in some cases predict long-term trends and variability in the Gulf of Mexico's natural resources, including the abiotic and biotic drivers that influence those changes.
What kinds of projects is NOAA looking for?
NOAA is looking for projects built around real coordination among researchers, resource managers, and other stakeholders who use science to inform practical decisions in the region. The program emphasizes work that goes beyond purely academic exercises and is designed to be usable in real-world Gulf of Mexico decision-making contexts.
Is this award a grant or something else?
Awards will be made as cooperative agreements. This typically indicates NOAA expects to be actively involved in the funded work at a higher level than what is common for a standard grant.
How long are projects expected to run?
Projects are planned for five years in duration.
Is there an option to renew funding beyond the initial project period?
Yes. NOAA is offering the possibility of an additional five-year, non-competitive renewal for projects that perform strongly.
How much funding is available for renewals?
Renewal funding is described as potentially totaling about 21 million across renewals, and it is tied to high performance. It is described as non-competitive (not competed in the same way as the initial awards).
How many projects does NOAA expect to fund?
The competition is expected to support around six projects.
How much total funding is expected for the initial awards?
Total initial funding is estimated at roughly 17.5 million spread across five years, contingent on the availability of funds from the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
What is the expected budget size per project?
Individual project budgets are expected to fall between about 1 million and 4 million total over the five-year period.
What does that budget range mean on a per-year basis?
Over five years, the expected project budget range corresponds to an average of about 200,000 to 800,000 per year.
When does NOAA expect to make funding decisions?
NOAA anticipates making final funding recommendations around June 2025.
When are selected projects expected to start?
Projects selected under this announcement are expected to start on October 1, 2025.
Who is eligible to apply as a lead applicant?
Applications may come from U.S.-based institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, local/state/tribal government entities, U.S. territories, and federal agencies that have the statutory authority to accept this type of funding. The lead applicant must be a U.S.-based entity.
Do investigators have to be employed by an institution in a Gulf state?
No. Investigators do not have to be employed by a Gulf-state institution.
If our team is not based in the Gulf states, is partnering with a Gulf entity required?
It is not described as a strict requirement, but NOAA strongly encourages teams that are not Gulf-based to partner with eligible entities located in the five Gulf of Mexico states (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) to keep the work connected to regional capacity and on-the-ground needs.
Which states are considered the five Gulf of Mexico states for this opportunity?
The five Gulf of Mexico states referenced are Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
Can foreign researchers participate?
Yes, foreign researchers can be involved, but only through a subaward or contract issued by an eligible U.S. entity.
Are there geographic restrictions on where program funds can be spent?
Yes. The information provided states that program funds cannot be spent in Cuba.
What costs can be covered with award funds?
NOAA notes that award funds may cover expenses such as travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated with the proposed research.
Are there restrictions on paying federal employees with these funds?
Yes. The funding opportunity specifies that funds cannot be used to hire or pay the salaries of permanent federal employees.
How do applicants submit proposals?
Proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov.
Where can applicants find additional program materials or applicant resources?
Additional materials, such as background information and webinars, are available through the RESTORE Science Program website, and applicants should also review the opportunity information on Grants.gov.
What is the listed closing date for this opportunity?
The listed original closing date is August 22, 2024.
Should applicants rely only on the original closing date?
No. Applicants are advised to pay close attention to the official notice and any amendments or updated deadlines posted through the program page and Grants.gov.
How does NOAA address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in this opportunity?
NOAA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as an expected value in both proposal development and project execution, framing it as a way to strengthen creativity and effectiveness across the research and management community and support more robust natural resource decision-making.
Does NOAA encourage participation from specific groups or institution types?
Yes. NOAA and the Department of Commerce explicitly encourage participation by women and minority investigators and highlight a commitment to expanding involvement from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and organizations working in underserved areas.
What is the source of funds for this competition?
The initial funding estimate is described as contingent on the availability of funds from the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
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