Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity from NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS), through NCCOS and its Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR), under the Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The main goal is to support research that improves understanding and prediction of how increasing ocean acidification affects key fish and shellfish species, and the coastal and estuarine ecosystems that support them, in US waters.

3) What kinds of projects are the best fit for this call?

The strongest fit is work centered on developing modeling and prediction tools that move beyond isolated laboratory findings and enable forecasting of ocean acidification impacts at broader biological scales (populations, communities, and whole ecosystems), with clear relevance to fisheries.

4) What does NOAA mean by moving beyond isolated laboratory findings?

NOAA is looking for efforts that do more than report lab-based physiological responses in isolation. The emphasis is on connecting ocean acidification exposure to outcomes that can be used in forecasting or scenario testing at population, community, or ecosystem scales.

5) What types of outcomes should the models or tools be able to predict?

The opportunity highlights predictive approaches that can project or test scenarios involving outcomes such as changes in abundance, recruitment, survival, species interactions, habitat suitability, food webs, and other ecosystem processes.

6) Are physiological studies allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. Proposals may include physiological research on targeted species or ecologically linked groups, as long as that physiology work is used to clarify mechanisms and improve model realism, rather than being a stand-alone topic.

7) Do projects have to focus on specific species?

Projects must target, or be clearly relevant to, US commercial and/or recreational fishery species. The research questions and expected outputs should be tied to management-relevant organisms and outcomes.

8) Does the work need to be relevant to fisheries management?

Yes. NOAA states that research questions and outputs should be tied to management-relevant organisms and outcomes, with clear relevance to fisheries.

9) What is the total estimated funding amount?

The competition was estimated at about $1.5 million total across three years, subject to final appropriations.

10) How many awards did NOAA expect to make?

NOAA anticipated making about two awards.

11) What is the typical project budget and duration?

Typical project budgets were expected to be roughly $200,000 to $400,000 per year, for projects lasting up to three years.

12) Can an applicant request ship time?

Yes. Projects may request ship time beyond the standard budget limits, but ship time requests are judged on whether they are well-justified and essential to meeting project objectives.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible entities include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, Indian Tribal governments, US territories, commercial organizations, and federal agencies that have legal authority to accept this type of funding.

14) Can federal agencies apply?

Yes, federal agencies can apply if they have the legal authority to accept this type of funding. Non-NOAA federal applicants would need to provide certifications or documentation showing they have the legal authority to receive the funds.

15) Can foreign researchers apply directly?

No. Foreign researchers could participate through subawards under an eligible US entity, rather than applying directly.

16) Does NOAA encourage participation from underrepresented groups and institutions?

Yes. NOAA emphasized a commitment to broadening participation and encouraged proposals involving or led by underrepresented groups and institutions, including historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and organizations working in underserved areas.

17) Are there restrictions on paying salaries for federal full-time employees?

Yes. NCCOS/CSCOR generally would not pay federal full-time employee salaries.

18) What costs could NCCOS/CSCOR support if not federal full-time employee salaries?

The announcement indicates NCCOS/CSCOR could support other costs tied to the research, including travel, equipment, supplies, and contracted personnel.

19) Are there any exceptions to the restriction on paying federal full-time employee salaries?

Exceptions would require documentation and advance approval from the program manager prior to submitting a letter of intent.

20) Does the application have to be submitted through an organization?

Yes. Proposals had to be submitted through an eligible organization.

21) What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA listing?

The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS NCCOS 2012 2003178. The CFDA number is 11.478 (Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal Ocean Program).

22) What were the key dates for posting, deadline, and archiving?

The posting date was November 15, 2011. The application deadline was January 30, 2012. The archive date was February 29, 2012.

23) When did NOAA expect to make final funding recommendations?

NOAA expected to make final funding recommendations by mid-calendar year 2012.

24) What was the anticipated project start date?

The anticipated project start date was September 1, 2012.

25) How were applications submitted?

Applications were to be submitted through Grants.gov.

26) Where can applicants find referenced background information about NCCOS/CSCOR programs?

The opportunity referenced program background at www.cop.noaa.gov.