The NCCOS Competitive Research Program is pleased to announce two Fiscal Year 2019 Federal Funding Opportunities (FFOs) related to mesophotic coral ecosystems in American Samoa and the Hawaiian Archipelago. The deadline for full applications is January 17, 2019 for American Samoa, and January 31, 2019 for the Hawaiian Archipelago.

2019 Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) Program: American Samoa
NCCOS, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, is soliciting proposals under the Deep-CRES Program for a project of up to four years in duration to conduct research to improve the understanding of mesophotic coral ecosystems in American Samoa. Mesophotic coral ecosystems are characterized by the presence of light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths from 30–40 meters and extending to over 150 meters in some tropical and subtropical regions. Mesophotic coral ecosystems may be regarded as extensions of shallow coral ecosystems including sharing common species, but also contain species unique to mesophotic depths. This information will be used to improve the ability of resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood mesophotic coral ecosystems. One competitively selected project will be awarded with an approximate annual budget of up to $600,000.

Click here for the full funding announcement. Proposals due January 17, 2019.

2019 Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program (REPP): Coral Ecosystem Connectivity in the Hawaiian Archipelago
NCCOS, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, is soliciting proposals under REPP for a project up to five years in duration to conduct research to improve the understanding of population connectivity of key mesophotic coral ecosystem species in the Hawaiian Archipelago. This information will be used to improve the ability of resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood mesophotic coral ecosystems and provide insight into regional ecosystem connectivity. One competitively selected project will be awarded with an approximate annual budget of up to $1,000,000.

Click here for the full funding announcement. Proposals due January 31, 2019.