Department of Commerce

Description

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Centers (NCCOS)/Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR), in partnership with the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, and Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team, is soliciting proposals under the Regional Ecosystem Prediction Program for a project of up to 5 years in duration to conduct research to improve the understanding of population connectivity of key species between the southernmost portion of Pulley Ridge on the West Florida continental shelf, and downstream to the coral ecosystems of the Florida Keys. Coral ecosystems upstream of Pulley Ridge can be considered if directly relevant to population connectivity or to provide context to the overall study. This information will be used to improve the ability of Gulf of Mexico resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood mesophotic coral ecosystems, including coastal and marine spatial planning and the siting of marine protected areas and marine protected area networks for shallow and mesophotic coral ecosystems. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations. It is anticipated that final recommendations for funding under this announcement will be made by early Calendar Year 2011, and that any project funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2011 start date. One project is expected to be supported for up to 5 years, with an annual budget up to $1,000,000. Electronic Access: Background information about the NCCOS/CSCOR efforts can be found at http://www.cop.noaa.gov. Proposals should be submitted through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov.)

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Steve Drescher <br/>Policy Advisor <br/>
steve.j.drescher@noaa.gov