FY25 Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants - Fishery Management Council Cooperative Agreements

Background
The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program aims to provide financial assistance through the Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants - Fishery Management Council Cooperative Agreements (FMCCA) to Regional Fishery Management Councils. This initiative is authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § 6410, and focuses on conserving and managing coral reef fisheries. The program's objectives include improving compliance with fisheries laws, enhancing scientific information for better management of shallow coral reef fisheries, and advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management.

Grant Details
Projects funded through the FMCCA must focus on activities that:
1) Improve compliance with coral reef fisheries laws and essential fish habitat designations;
2) Provide better scientific information to enhance management of shallow coral reef fisheries and associated essential fish habitat;
3) Advance ecosystem-based fisheries management through existing data and tools. Proposals will be implemented via a one-year cooperative agreement, with NOAA assisting in project identification, development, implementation, and coordination with relevant authorities and user groups. The councils may request staff salary, fringe, and travel costs not exceeding $125,000 for coral reef conservation activities. Expenditures on large equipment or infrastructure are not prioritized.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Applicants must also comply with matching fund policies requiring a 1:1 contribution of non-federal matching funds unless waived by the NOAA Administrator under specific conditions.

Period of Performance
The anticipated start date for projects is October 1, 2025, with a performance period of 12 months.

Grant Value
Approximately $1,000,000 is expected to be available for FMCCA in FY 2025. Awards are anticipated to range from $125,000 to $300,000 per project. NOAA will not accept proposals requesting more than $350,000 in federal funds.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be performed within U.S. waters that encompass shallow (<30 m) and associated mesophotic (30–150 m) coral reef ecosystems.