Frequent Questions: Atlantic Salmon Habitat Restoration Partnership Grants

When are proposals due?

The deadline for proposals is April 12, 2021.

Will match or cost-share be required for this program?

While there is no statutory match or cost-share requirement for this funding, NOAA typically leverages its federal funding with matching contributions and/or partnerships from a broad range of sources in the public and private sector to implement locally important coastal habitat restoration. To this end, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a 1:1 non-federal match for NOAA funds requested to conduct the proposed project.

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education; non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations; foreign public entities and foreign organizations; and state, territory, local, and Indian tribal governments. Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to work with states, tribes, non-governmental organizations, municipal and county governments, conservation corps organizations, and others that are eligible to apply.

Will there be any educational resources (webinars, phone calls, etc.) on how to apply or improve applications?

Yes, we plan to hold an applicant webinar, which will be recorded and the information posted to the website. Information about the webinar will be posted on the NOAA Fisheries website once it is scheduled. In addition, each applicant is offered feedback about how to improve an application after the competitive process is complete.

What is the minimum and maximum NOAA funding request?

NOAA will not accept proposals with a NOAA federal funding request of less than $300,000 or more than $1.5 million over a three-year award period.

What types of projects will be supported by this funding?

Proposals may include the following types of activities: feasibility studies, planning and assessments directly linked to restoration implementation, engineering design and permitting, on-the-ground implementation, monitoring, or a combination thereof.

When can funded projects start?

October 1, 2021, is the earliest potential start date for awards.

Are there ineligible project types?

Yes, a complete list is in Section III.C of the funding opportunity. Some examples include land acquisition, marine debris removal, and activities that alleviate the liability associated with legally required compensatory restoration for natural resource damages.

Can projects outside the state of Maine be funded?

Applicants must propose work within one or more Salmon Habitat Recovery Units (SHRUs) in the state of Maine. Physical and/or mailing addresses for applicant organizations are not required to be located within the SHRU boundaries. The SHRUs encompass the full range of the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic salmon, including: 1) Merrymeeting Bay, which covers the Androscoggin and Kennebec, and extends east to include the Sheepscot, Pemaquid, Medomak, and St. George watersheds; 2) Penobscot Bay, which covers the entire Penobscot basin and extends west to and includes the Ducktrap watershed; and 3) Downeast, including all coastal watersheds from the Union River east to the Dennys River.

Is there a limit on the number of proposals from any one applicant, geographic area or Salmon Habitat Recovery Unit (SHRU)?

No. There is no limit on the number of proposals from any one applicant, geographic area, or SHRU.

Will a letter from my state or territory's governor be required?

No, a letter from your state or territory governor is not required. However, letters of support from a diverse set of stakeholders may enhance the proposal’s score in the Outreach and Education criteria (Section V.A.5 of the funding opportunity).

Will NOAA ensure geographic distribution of selected awards?

The NOAA Selecting Official will select applications in rank order, unless there is justification to select out of rank order based upon standard selection factors outlined in the funding opportunity, including the availability of funding and balanced distribution of funds according to geography, type of partners, research/focus areas, and project types.

Will there be another competition issued next year (FY2022)?

No, we do not anticipate issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Atlantic salmon habitat restoration partnership grants in FY2022. In FY2022, funding will be used to complete the multi-year projects awarded under this FY2021 competition.