Opportunity Information: Apply for OIA CRNR 2026
Apply for OIA CRNR 2026
- The Department of the Interior in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.875.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-18. (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 $2,800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), focused on protecting and restoring coral reefs and other key natural resources in U.S. insular areas. The program is built around the practical idea that healthy reefs and ecosystems are not just environmental priorities but also day-to-day community infrastructure: they help sustain food security (including fisheries and traditional harvesting), reduce coastal erosion and storm impacts by protecting shorelines, support local economies tied to tourism and marine resources, and strengthen long-term resilience by restoring native species and habitats.
A major part of the program also targets invasive species threats. The CRNR Initiative supports work across the full management cycle, including risk management and prevention (reducing the chance of new invasions), rapid response (moving quickly when new invasive species are detected), and eradication or control efforts (removing or suppressing established invaders). This emphasis recognizes how invasive species can quickly undermine reef health, native biodiversity, agriculture, and water resources, and how early action is often far cheaper and more effective than delayed intervention.
Funding is intended specifically to benefit the U.S. territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), as well as the freely associated states: the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau. While applicants may be based in the United States, its territories, or internationally, proposed projects must clearly deliver benefits to these listed insular areas and comply with federal assistance rules under 2 CFR 200 (the Uniform Guidance).
Eligible applicants include non-federal local government entities and their component units, hospitals and health centers, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. The opportunity also allows international entities to apply if their projects directly benefit the covered islands and meet federal compliance requirements. One explicit restriction is that the judicial and legislative branches of local governments are not eligible for award under the cost principles described in 2 CFR 200.444.
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 15.875, uses a grant funding instrument, and falls within the environment activity category. The funding opportunity number is OIA CRNR 2026, and applications are due by 2026-05-18. The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $2,800,000, with an estimated 10 awards expected, indicating a competitive process aimed at supporting a limited set of larger or high-impact projects rather than many small ones. The opportunity was created on 2026-03-16, and it is authorized under 48 U.S. Code 1469d (general technical assistance), Public Law 96-597, Section 601, and subsequent amendments, which collectively provide the legal foundation for OIA to fund technical and resource-focused initiatives that strengthen insular communities and their environments.
FAQs: OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026
What is the OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026?
The OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). It funds projects that protect and restore coral reefs and other key natural resources in U.S. insular areas and certain freely associated states.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program supports practical, community-relevant natural resource work. It treats healthy reefs and ecosystems as essential community infrastructure that can support food security (including fisheries and traditional harvesting), reduce coastal erosion and storm impacts by protecting shorelines, strengthen local economies tied to tourism and marine resources, and improve long-term resilience through restoration of native species and habitats.
Which environmental issues does the program emphasize?
The opportunity emphasizes coral reef and ecosystem protection and restoration, along with a significant focus on invasive species threats. The intent is to prevent or reduce damage to reef health, native biodiversity, agriculture, and water resources.
How does the program address invasive species?
The CRNR Initiative supports work across the full invasive species management cycle, including:
- Risk management and prevention (reducing the chance of new invasions)
- Rapid response (acting quickly when new invasive species are detected)
- Eradication or control (removing or suppressing established invasive species)
Why is rapid action on invasive species highlighted?
The opportunity notes that invasive species can quickly undermine reef health and broader natural and community resources, and that early action is often far cheaper and more effective than responding after an invasion becomes widespread.
Which locations must benefit from the proposed project?
Projects must clearly deliver benefits to the following insular areas and freely associated states:
- American Samoa
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
- Guam
- U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)
- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
- Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
- Republic of Palau
Can an applicant be based outside the listed islands?
Yes. Applicants may be based in the United States, its territories, or internationally. However, the proposed project must clearly benefit one or more of the listed insular areas/freely associated states and must comply with applicable federal assistance requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-federal local government entities and their component units
- Hospitals and health centers
- Institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations
- International entities (if projects directly benefit the covered islands and meet federal compliance requirements)
Are any parts of local government explicitly not eligible?
Yes. The judicial and legislative branches of local governments are not eligible for award under the cost principles described in 2 CFR 200.444.
What federal rules govern this grant?
Projects must comply with federal assistance rules under 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance). The opportunity also references the cost principles in 2 CFR 200.444 in connection with eligibility restrictions for certain branches of local government.
What type of funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The program is listed under Assistance Listing number 15.875 (formerly referred to as CFDA).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is OIA CRNR 2026.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Environment.
When is the application due?
Applications are due by 2026-05-18.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $2,800,000.
How competitive is the program expected to be?
The opportunity indicates an estimated 10 awards, alongside a relatively high maximum award amount. This suggests a competitive process designed to support a limited number of larger or high-impact projects rather than many smaller awards.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-03-16.
What legal authority authorizes this grant program?
The opportunity is authorized under 48 U.S. Code 1469d (general technical assistance), Public Law 96-597, Section 601, and subsequent amendments. These authorities provide the legal foundation for OIA to fund technical and resource-focused initiatives that strengthen insular communities and their environments.
What kinds of community benefits does the program connect to coral reef and ecosystem health?
The opportunity links healthy reefs and ecosystems to real-world community needs, including food security (fisheries and traditional harvesting), shoreline protection (reducing coastal erosion and storm impacts), economic activity (tourism and marine-resource-related economies), and long-term resilience (restoring native species and habitats).
Do projects have to focus only on coral reefs?
No. While coral reefs are a central focus, the opportunity also supports protection and restoration of other key natural resources, including efforts that strengthen native species and habitats and address invasive species that threaten broader ecosystems and resources.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of the Interior
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Next opportunity: OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026
Previous opportunity: FY 2026 Energizing Insular Communities Program
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