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.

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

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policy decisions by supporting high-priority research and interagency initiatives related to NOAA's mission in three goal areas: coastal ecosystem oceanography, cumulative coastal impacts and coastal forecasting/natural hazards.

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.

The Coastal Ocean Program is currently funding over 68 competitively awarded ongoing extramural research funding commitments to over 80 external marine science institutions. This cutting-edge research has already and will in the future benefit the management of U.S. coastal resources and increase our understanding of the coastal ocean. Projects are underway to unravel the ecology and oceanography of harmful algal blooms and help coastal states manage HAB associated health and economic risks; understand the effects of human impacts on coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean and Micronesia; assess the potential impacts of the Everglades restoration project on South Florida ecosystems; understanding the effects of climate variability on fish stocks in the Northwest Pacific and Northwest Atlantic; and detecting and assessing the extent of the hypoxic area in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. CSCOR studies will also examine the impacts of multiple stressors on coastal ecosystems in Louisiana and integrate the findings of recently completed east coast research projects.

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 coastal ecosystem oceanography, cumulative coastal impacts, and coastal forecasting/natural hazards.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

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

CSCOR/COP will accept proposals that include foreign researchers as collaborators with researchers who are affiliated with a U.S.

academic institution, Federal agency, or other nonprofit organization.

Nonfederal and Federal applicants will be competed against each other.

For the Oceans and Human Health Initiatives Program, eligible applicants are: Institutions of higher education, hospitals and other not-for-profit institutions, commerical organizations, State, local and Indian tribal governments.

Federal agencies are not eligible to receive federal assistance under this program.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Organizations and individuals with interests in coastal oceanography. And for the OHHI program, organizations an individuals with interests in support of managing effectively the Nation's oceanic and atmospheric 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.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372 and OMB Circular No.

A-102.

And is not considered significant for purposes of E.O 12866.

Application Procedures

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

Proposals must be submitted in accordance with instructions published in the Federal Register notice. The deadline date will be at least 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.

Authorization

16 U.S.C. 1456c; 33 U.S.C. 883d; 33 U.S.C 1442; 15 U.S.C. 1540, Public Law 105-383. Act of National Weather Service and Related Agencies Authorization 1999, as amended.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

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

Appeals

None.

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 or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

From one to five years, with funding approved annually.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

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.

Audits

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. For the OHHI program, In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 27, 2003); Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations; nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

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

FY 07 $16,000,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported. For the OHHI program, those funds are allocated within the COP budget dollar amounts.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$25,000 to $1,000,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

None.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Rob Magnien, Director, NOAA/CSCOR/COP, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713- 3338, Fax: (301) 713-4044. For the OHHI program: Hal Stanford, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-3020, Ext. 135, Fax (301) 713-4044.

Headquarters Office

Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal Ocean Program, National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, 1305 East West Highway, Room 8243, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-3338.

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.