Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: US Fish & Wildlife Service

The NCCOS Competitive Research Program is pleased to announce its Fiscal Year 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Effects of Sea Level Rise (ESLR) Program.

Providing the scientific foundation for coastal decision making, particularly related to sea level rise and coastal flooding, is key to supporting adaptation and planning for long term coastal resilience. The ESLR Program is soliciting research proposals to evaluate and quantify the ability of nature-based solutions (NBS) to mitigate the effects of sea level rise and inundation (i.e., storm surge, nuisance flooding, and/or wave actions) on coastal communities, ecosystems and infrastructure. This NOFO has two focus areas; General Coastal Resilience and Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience. 

The General Coastal Resilience focus area is open to all coastal regions of the United States and its territories. This focus area will support research to advance existing modeling approaches for predicting coastal change and quantifying vulnerability; evaluate the benefit of coastal projects that include NBS; and develop actionable information and products for management to help inform the use of NBS in mitigation and adaptation solutions to sea level rise and coastal inundation. Approximately 2-4 projects of 2-4 years in duration are expected to be funded under the General Coastal Resilience focus area at a level of approximately $200,000 to $400,000 per year per proposal.

The Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area targets rural areas in Alaska that have previously not had the high resolution data necessary to run advanced models that evaluate coastal resilience management options. In the past decade, progress has been made to collect localized elevation data in Alaska and improve nearshore bathymetry. We are soliciting proposals that will leverage existing data where possible, to advance coupled coastal modeling in the region. Project teams must include at least one Alaska-based partner, and priority will be given to project teams with a demonstrated record of collaboration in the region. Approximately 1-2 projects of 2-4 years in duration are expected to be funded under the Alaska Regional Coastal Resilience focus area at a level of approximately $200,000 to $500,000 per year per proposal. 

The deadline for Letters of Intent for both focus areas is November 13, 2023, and for full applications is January 24, 2024. View the full NOFO here. NCCOS will host an overview and Q&A webinar for potential applicants on October 6, 2023 (a quick reference guide is available for general guidance).