Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science – NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program
CFDA 11.451 Active Cooperative Agreement

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$11M FY2026
$10.4M
FY24
$9.7M
FY25
$11M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 18 awards totaling over $9.6 million

Program Objective

NOAA’s RESTORE Science Program supports long-term research, observation, and monitoring to sustain Gulf of America ecosystems, fisheries, and fishing industries by funding collaborative, co-produced science projects that inform natural resource management decisions. The program is funded through non-appropriated Deepwater Horizon settlement funds under the RESTORE Act of 2012.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education; not-for-profit institutions; for-profit organizations; local, state, and tribal government entities; and U.S. territories and federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work. The lead applicant must be from a U.S.-based entity. Science Program funding opportunities may not be used to hire and fund the salaries of any permanent federal employees. Investigators are not required to be employed by an eligible entity that is based in one of the five Gulf States (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas).

Beneficiaries

  • Other

The five Gulf Coast states: Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Alabama

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Awards are made on the basis of competitive peer review of proposals.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 90 to 120 days

From 90 to 210 days from the time of proposal receipt

Program details & compliance

Description

The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) RESTORE Science Program is to carry out research, observation, and monitoring to support the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem, fish stocks, fish habitat, and the recreational, commercial, and charter-fishing industry in the Gulf of America. To meet this mission, the Science Program funds longer-term projects using cooperative agreements. Project teams include both researchers and natural resource managers and use co-production of science techniques to support natural resource management decisions in the Gulf. The Science Program is funded pursuant to the Deepwater Horizon consent decree under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies (RESTORE) of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-141, § 1604) using non-appropriated settlement funds from a mandatory NOAA account.

Mission Categories

Primary: Land and Forest Conservation

Other categories:
Earth and EnvironmentResearch and DevelopmentFish and Wildlife Preservation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Grants and cooperative agreements may be used to fund research to address the science needs in the Gulf of Mexico related to the objectives outlined in the RESTORE Act legislation

Restrictions

The funds provided may not be used for any existing or planned research led by NOAA, unless agreed to in writing by the grant recipient; to implement existing regulations or initiate new regulations promulgated or proposed by NOAA; or to develop or approve a new limited access privilege program (as that term is used in section 303A of the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853a)) for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, New England, or Gulf Fishery Management Councils.

Required Documentation

Proposals with statement of work, estimated budget, and curriculum vitae; Costs will be determined in accordance with relevant OMB Cost Principles, which NOAA anticipates will be located at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for State and local governments, educational institutions, and for nonprofit organizations. For commercial organizations, costs will be determined in accordance with 48 C.F.R. Part 31. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Determined at Time of Award
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

David Kidwell
202-670-3440
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Julie Whitaker
808-725-5296
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-19. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:26:35.