OPPORTUNITY REPORT:

NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge

Friday, June 30, 2023

Program Summary

Key information at a glance:

Opportunity Title: Inflation Reduction Act: NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge
Opportunity Number: NOAA-NOS-OCM-2023-2008068
Agency: Department of Commerce
Total Program Funding: $575,000,000
Award Ceiling: $75,000,000
Cost Match: Not required
Expected Number of Awards: 45
Letter of Intent Deadline: August 21, 2023
Full Application Deadline: February 13, 2024

Looking for assistance with your application? Click here to learn how CFS can help.

Program Overview

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced its first-ever Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. The NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge provides $575 million in funding that aims to help coastal and Great Lakes communities become more resilient to extreme weather and impacts of climate change. Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Challenge seeks to transform the resilience of these communities, ecosystems, and associated economies to weather and climate impacts. There are two tracks included in the opportunity: the Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development track and the Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions track. Applications submitted for both Track One and Track Two are prioritizing projects that contribute to risk reduction, regional coordination and collaboration, equity and inclusion, and enduring capacity.

Program Tracks

The Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development funding can be used to initiate new, regional-scale collaborations or to advance existing partnerships focused on climate resilience. NOAA will select 20-25 applicants to receive $500,000 to $2 million each over three to five years. Total funding for all Track One awards may be up to $25 million.

Track One supports the following activities:

Building and expanding regional partnerships.
Assessing risk and vulnerability.
Engaging and partnering with tribes and marginalized, underserved, underrepresented communities.
Assessing risk and vulnerability.
Planning resilience strategies and adaptation actions.
Building community and workforce capacity for climate adaptation efforts.

The Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions funding can be used to implement coordinated adaptation efforts for resilience and build sustainable capacity in these communities. NOAA will select approximately 15 applicants to receive $15 to $75 million over five years. Total funding available for all Track Two awards is up to $550 million.

Track Two supports the following activities:

Acquiring vulnerable land.
Building natural infrastructure.
Improving public infrastructure’s resilience.
Strengthening or protecting public access to coastal natural resources.
Building regional capacity for ongoing actions that increase resilience.
Planning and preparing for community-led relocation.
Updating state and local codes and policies.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are as follows:

Coastal States, territories, or Tribes;
Counties, cities, or other political subdivisions of a coastal State or territory, including special purpose units of government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities;
The District of Columbia;
Institutions of higher education; and
Non-profit organizations or associations, including those acting in cooperation with a State, tribal, local or territorial government; regional councils of government and regional planning councils.