CZM Projects of Special Merit Competition - FY2022 | NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007017

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007017

The CZM Projects of Special Merit (PSM) Competition for FY2022 is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), specifically within NOAA NOS OCM. It provides cooperative agreement funding under CFDA 11.419 to support targeted, innovative work that helps states and territories strengthen and modernize their federally approved Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). The core purpose is tied to Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act: driving continual program improvement in areas NOAA has identified as nationally important, rather than simply maintaining the status quo.

This competition is designed around “enhancement areas” and is meant to fund projects that move a state or territory forward on strategies it has already committed to. For FY2022, the national priority focus areas called out in the announcement are Coastal Hazards, Ocean and Great Lakes Resources, and Public Access. In practical terms, projects are expected to produce measurable improvements such as better hazard resilience planning and implementation, stronger stewardship or management of ocean and Great Lakes resources, or more effective ways to protect and expand public access to coastal areas. The emphasis on “Projects of Special Merit” signals that NOAA is looking for approaches that are innovative, replicable, and directly supportive of program enhancement goals, not general-purpose coastal work.

Eligibility is anchored in having a NOAA-approved Coastal Management Program under the Coastal Zone Management Act and, critically, an approved 2021-2025 Section 309 Assessment and Strategy. Applicants are also limited to pursuing only those priority areas for which they already have a corresponding NOAA-approved strategy. That requirement is important because it ties the funding to documented needs and planned improvements, ensuring proposals are not ad hoc but instead aligned with an established roadmap for program enhancement. The announcement also notes that Coastal Zone Management Program regulations at 15 C.F.R. Part 923 apply, meaning applicants must follow the federal regulatory framework governing CMPs and the related program rules and procedures.

The opportunity was posted September 7, 2021, with an original closing date of December 3, 2021. NOAA anticipated making about 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $50,000 per project. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, which generally means NOAA expects an active level of federal involvement during the period of performance (for example, coordination, guidance, or collaboration), beyond what is typical for a standard grant.

A broad range of entities are listed as eligible applicants in the source data, including state, county, and local governments; special districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; and eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Even with that broad eligibility list, the program’s core intent and requirements make it most relevant to applicants working directly with, on behalf of, or in close partnership with a federally approved CMP, since the project must advance an approved Section 309 strategy and fit within the specified national enhancement priorities.

• The Department of Commerce in the energy, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CZM Projects of Special Merit Competition - FY2022" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.419.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 07, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 03, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007017

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