National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026
NOAA funds designated NERRS lead state agencies or universities in coastal states and territories to acquire land, construct or improve reserve facilities and monitoring infrastructure, and conduct related planning and design for reserve mission support.
⚑ Eligible applicants are limited to designated NERRS lead state agencies or universities operating under a NOAA MOU in coastal states and territories. · Acquisition/construction projects are capped at $3,000,000 federal share; stand-alone planning and design projects are capped at $500,000. · NOAA may reserve up to 10% of FY2026 funds for critical vehicle or vessel needs and award those noncompetitively. · Project periods may run 12-36 months, with complex construction projects up to 60 months total.
This is a coastal reserve land-acquisition and construction program for NERRS, centered on facilities, vessels, and infrastructure rather than the team’s social-behavioral research agenda. The closest fit would be environmental/public-policy adjacent, but none of the roster has a program in coastal management or construction projects.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-07-18
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topic: environment (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds construction equipment — not a research fit |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 40 partial | technical depth: substantial; funds construction equipment (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 25 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) consists of estuarine areas of the United States and its territories designated and managed for research and educational purposes (Reserve) as specified in 15 C.F.R. Part 921. By funding Reserve lead agencies and universities to conduct land acquisition and construction projects that support the NERRS mission, NOAA will strengthen protection of key land and water areas, enhance long-term protection of Reserve areas for research and education, and provide for facility and exhibit construction activities that meet the highest sustainable design standards possible. Each Reserve was designated to ensure its effectiveness as a conservation unit and as a site for long-term research and monitoring. In maintaining their effectiveness, the Reserves may find it necessary to expand their boundaries through strategically planned land acquisitions and/or to develop or enhance their reserve facilities, including their in-situ monitoring infrastructure, to meet the demands of research, monitoring, and education program objectives.
NOAA anticipates approximately $8.5 million in Fiscal Year 2026 will be available to designated lead Reserve agencies or universities in coastal states. NOAA anticipates funding between 5-20 construction, acquisition, and/or planning & design projects. Project periods are expected to range from 12–36 months. Complex construction projects may request extended project periods, but the cumulative must not exceed 60 months. Final project selections are subject to availability of funds and negotiation with NOAA.
Acquisition or construction projects have a $3,000,000 federal funding cap . Stand-alone planning and design projects have a $500,000 federal funding cap.
At the discretion of NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, up to 10% of the Fiscal Year 2026 funds will be reserved for critical reserve vehicle or vessel needs. These funds will be awarded noncompetitively to stand-alone vehicle or vessel project applications that address a critical reserve need.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are lead state agencies or universities designated to receive NERRS operations funding through a Memorandum of Understanding with NOAA in coastal states and territories.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Nicola R Bell Grantor <Matt.Chasse@noaa.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · NOAA / Department of Commerce conventions SEE A NOAA EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — NOAA / Department of Commerce's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.