Harmful Algal Bloom Control Technologies Incubator

Background
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting competitive grant proposals from eligible applicants to support the management objectives of NOAA that fit within the intent of the National Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Network Program. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to implement a 5-year Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Control Technologies Incubator (HCTI) under the auspices of the NCCOS/CRP Prevention, Control and Mitigation of HAB Program. This funding opportunity will provide support for one award to develop and administer a national program that accelerates the development and application of HAB control approaches.

Grant Details
The main objective of the HCTI will be to fund extramural proof of concept, innovative HAB control technology projects to assess their feasibility. Promising technologies will then be encouraged to apply to relevant future PCMHAB competitive funding announcements independent from the HCTI.

In addition, the other objective of the HCTI will be to provide guidance to end users and stakeholders on navigating the relevant licensing and permitting processes relevant to the applicability of proven control methods during responses to ongoing HAB events.

The proposals must address how the HCTI will accomplish these two objectives. The funding opportunity is intended to support the administration of the HCTI and is not intended to directly support individual research projects or short term activities on specific local coastal HAB issues.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are non-federal partner institutions of the NOAA approved Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Lead PIs must be employees of an eligible NOAA approved CESU listed above; applications must be submitted through that entity; and should comply with their institutional requirements for application submission.

Period of Performance
It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2022 start date.

Full applications must cover an award period of five years. The project selected for an initial five year award may be invited to submit a new, non-competitive renewal application for an additional five year award that builds upon the initial five-year project.

Grant Value
If funds become available for this program, one project for a HCTI will be funded for approximately $1.5M/year for 5 years, not to exceed $7.5M over that period. If successful, the selected project may receive an additional $7.5M for a second and final 5 year period of performance.