I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Program Objective
Purpose: National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) research funds are provided to support management-related research projects that will enhance scientific understanding of the reserve ecosystem, provide information needed by reserve management and coastal management decision-makers, and improve public awareness and understanding of estuarine ecosystems and estuarine management issues (15 CFR§ 921.50).
The reserve system's Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Program offers qualified master's and doctoral students the opportunity to address scientific questions of local, regional and national significance. The result is high-quality research focused on improving coastal management issues.
All GRF projects must be conducted in a National Estuarine Research Reserve and enhance the scientific understanding of the reserve's ecosystem. While graduate research fellows receive hands-on experience, reserve managers and coastal decision-makers receive vital ecological data.
B. Research Focus Areas
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is focusing on the following areas of research. Proposed research projects submitted in response to this announcement should address one of the following estuarine ecosystem topics:
- eutrophication, effects of non-point source pollution and/or nutrient dynamics;
- habitat conservation and/or restoration;
- biodiversity and/or the effects of invasive species;
- mechanisms for sustaining resources within estuarine ecosystems; or
- economic, sociological, and/or anthropological research applicable to estuarine ecosystem management
Proposals must 1) address, through master’s or doctoral research programs, coastal management issues identified as having local, regional, and/or national significance within the "Research Focus Areas" identified above, and 2) be conducted within one or more of the designated reserve(s). Proposals must clearly specify which focus area is being addressed and how it relates to research needs and priorities of the reserve or reserve system.
Note: Although the areas of coastal and estuarine research interest identified above may be considered national in scope, they relate to and encompass regional and local issues unique to the environments of the individual reserves. It is strongly suggested that applicants contact the intended host reserve(s) (see Appendix I) for specific information about the reserve(s) and the accompanying research needs and priorities as they relate to this announcement. Applicants should determine whether their proposed projects are relevant to the reserve’s(s’) site specific research needs.
C. Program Authority
Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended CZMA), 16 U.S.C. § 1461, establishes the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). 16 U.S.C. § 1461 (e)(1)(B) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to any coastal state or public or private person for purposes of supporting research and monitoring within a National Estuarine Research Reserve that are consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c).
D. Cost Principles
The applicant may request funds under any of the following categories as long as the costs are reasonable and necessary to perform research: personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, construction, other, and indirect. The amount of federal funds requested must be matched by the applicant’s institution by at least 30% of the total project cost. Cash or in-kind contributions directly benefiting the research project may be used to satisfy the matching requirements. Waived overhead costs may also be used as match. Funds from other federal agencies and reserve staff salaries supported by federal funds may not be used as match. Up to 10% of the federal share may be used for overhead or indirect costs. Requirements for the non-federal share are contained in 15 CFR Part 14, Uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit and commercial organizations and 15 CFR Part 24, Uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements to state and local governments. The Estuarine Reserves Division strongly suggests that the applicant work with their institution's sponsored programs office to develop their budget.
For more information contact Alison Krepp.
