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$4 Million Available for New Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Projects

November 08, 2019

NOAA is seeking proposals for 2020 grant awards through our Community-based Restoration Program.

Rogue River_Partial_Dam_Removed_River Design Group_750x500.jpg Restoration work underway on the Rogue River in Oregon. (Photo: River Design Group)

Update: Due to the earthquakes and widespread blackouts in Puerto Rico, the deadline for pre-proposal submissions will be extended by two days. Pre-proposals must be received by Grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service by 11:59 PM Eastern time on January 10, 2020. This two-day extension applies to all applicants.


NOAA is committed to promoting healthy ecosystems and resilient coastal communities. We are announcing the availability of up to $4 million in Community-based Restoration Program funding for new coastal and marine habitat restoration projects in 2020. We are seeking proposals from non-federal partners for projects that will help recover threatened and endangered species and promote sustainable fisheries. We will also continue funding 19 projects selected in 2019.

Investing in habitat restoration and recovery projects leads to real, lasting differences for communities, businesses, and the environment. By removing dams and other barriers, restoring coral and oyster reefs, and rebuilding coastal wetlands, selected projects will not just support protected resources and sustainable fisheries. They will also yield community and economic benefits, such as increased coastal resilience and recreational opportunities.

A large fish jumps out of rapids

Many past Community-based Restoration Program projects have restored habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as Atlantic salmon. (Photo: Atlantic Salmon Federation)

This funding opportunity requires a pre-proposal. The pre-proposals will help determine if proposed projects are well-suited for this specific funding competition and if a full proposal is warranted. Pre-proposals are due January 10, 2019. Applicants who are successful in the pre-proposal process will be eligible to submit full proposals, with a deadline in April 2020.

NOAA will not accept proposals with a federal funding request of less than $75,000 or more than $3 million over a three-year award period. For more information, view the Fiscal Year 2020 Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants funding opportunity.

Since 1996, the Community-based Restoration Program has provided more than $196 million to implement more than 2,150 coastal habitat restoration projects. Partnering with more than 2,900 organizations, we have restored more than 90,000 acres of habitat for fish and opened 4,070 stream miles for fish passage.