NMFS West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program | NOAA NMFS WCRO 2022 2007169

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS WCRO 2022 2007169

The NMFS West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, administered through NOAA Fisheries (NMFS). The program is built around a straightforward goal: support education and outreach efforts that help conserve West Coast Region endangered and threatened species, marine mammals, and the "Species in the Spotlight" group, which is a NOAA Fisheries initiative highlighting nine species considered at especially high risk of extinction in the near future. Projects funded under this opportunity are meant to do more than share information; they are expected to educate, engage, and genuinely motivate members of the public and local communities to participate in conservation of West Coast marine resources. The opportunity emphasizes the value of education and outreach partnerships, suggesting that collaborative approaches between organizations, institutions, and communities are viewed as an important way to expand reach and impact.

Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements, with an award ceiling of $100,000 per award and an anticipated total of about 8 awards. The program is categorized under several activity areas, including education, natural resources, science and technology, research and development, and business and commerce, reflecting the reality that marine conservation outreach can involve schools and informal education, community groups, industry-facing engagement, and science communication. The listing is associated with CFDA number 11.454, which is commonly used for NOAA Fisheries-related assistance programs.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribes and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not higher education institutions); and even individuals. That wide eligibility signals that NMFS is interested in supporting conservation communication and community engagement wherever strong ideas and credible capacity exist, whether through formal organizations or qualified individuals.

Key dates for this specific notice show it was created on February 3, 2022, with an original application closing date of April 5, 2022. While those dates indicate this particular competition cycle has closed, the summary captures what the program is designed to fund: practical, community-facing education and outreach projects that build awareness and inspire action to protect highly vulnerable West Coast marine species, including those highlighted under the Species in the Spotlight initiative (referenced in the notice through NOAA's public webpage).

• The Department of Commerce in the business and commerce, education, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NMFS West Coast Region Education and Outreach Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.454.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 03, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 05, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for NOAA NMFS WCRO 2022 2007169

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