Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2026 33239
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026 is a NOAA grant opportunity designed to help existing National Estuarine Research Reserves protect important estuarine lands and waters and improve the facilities needed to support long-term research, monitoring, and education. NERRS reserves are federally designated estuarine areas managed for conservation and for sustained scientific and public education work under 15 C.F.R. Part 921. Through this program, NOAA aims to strengthen the long-term integrity of reserve boundaries, expand reserves when strategically justified, and invest in construction and infrastructure that keeps reserves effective as research and learning sites. A major emphasis is that any facility or exhibit work should pursue the highest sustainable design standards that are feasible for the project.
The funding supports three main types of efforts: land acquisition projects that expand or better protect reserve areas; construction projects that build, renovate, or enhance reserve facilities; and planning and design work that prepares future acquisition or construction projects. Construction can include improvements to reserve operational and visitor facilities as well as in-situ monitoring infrastructure that underpins research and system-wide observation. The overall idea is to ensure reserves can meet growing demands for high-quality science, monitoring programs, and education and outreach activities, while safeguarding the estuarine habitats that make those programs possible in the first place.
NOAA expects about $8.5 million total to be available in FY 2026 and anticipates making roughly 5 to 20 awards covering construction, acquisition, and/or planning and design projects, depending on the size and scope of proposals and final appropriations. Typical project periods are expected to run about 12 to 36 months. For more complex construction efforts, NOAA indicates that longer timelines may be allowed, but the total project period cannot exceed 60 months. Final selections, award amounts, and conditions ultimately depend on available funds and the outcome of negotiations with NOAA.
Award size depends on project type. Land acquisition and construction projects are capped at $3,000,000 in federal funding per award. Stand-alone planning and design projects are capped at $500,000 in federal funding. NOAA also notes a set-aside option: up to 10 percent of FY 2026 funds may be reserved for critical reserve vehicle or vessel needs, and those specific vehicle or vessel awards would be made noncompetitively to stand-alone applications that clearly address a critical operational need at a reserve, at NOAA Office for Coastal Management discretion.
Eligibility is narrow and tied directly to the NERRS network. Applicants must be the designated lead state agencies or universities in coastal states or U.S. territories that receive NERRS operations funding through an official Memorandum of Understanding with NOAA. In other words, the program is intended for the established entities responsible for managing designated reserves, rather than for general local governments, nonprofits, or new partnerships that are not the reserve lead.
Key administrative details from the notice include that the program is a discretionary grant under CFDA 11.420, issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA. The funding opportunity title is "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026" with opportunity number NOAA NOS OCM 2026 33239. The posting indicates an expected maximum (ceiling) of $3,000,000 and an application deadline of 2026-09-18, with the opportunity created on 2026-07-17.Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2026 33239
- The DOC NOAA - ERA Production in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-18. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: NERRS Land Acquisition and Construction Program (FY 2026)
What is this NOAA funding opportunity?
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026 is a NOAA grant opportunity that supports existing National Estuarine Research Reserves with projects that protect important estuarine lands and waters and improve reserve facilities needed for long-term research, monitoring, and education.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to strengthen the long-term integrity of reserve boundaries, expand reserves when strategically justified, and invest in construction and infrastructure so reserves remain effective as research and learning sites. A key emphasis is that facility or exhibit work should pursue the highest sustainable design standards feasible for the project.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to the designated lead state agencies or universities in coastal states or U.S. territories that receive NERRS operations funding through an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NOAA. The opportunity is intended for established entities responsible for managing designated reserves (the reserve leads), not general local governments, nonprofits, or new partnerships that are not the reserve lead.
What types of projects can be funded?
The notice describes three main categories of funded efforts: (1) land acquisition projects that expand or better protect reserve areas; (2) construction projects that build, renovate, or enhance reserve facilities; and (3) planning and design work that prepares future acquisition or construction projects.
What is considered a land acquisition project under this program?
Land acquisition projects are those that expand or better protect reserve areas, with the broader goal of safeguarding estuarine habitats and strengthening reserve boundary integrity over the long term.
What is considered a construction project under this program?
Construction may include building, renovating, or enhancing reserve facilities. The notice states this can cover improvements to reserve operational and visitor facilities as well as in-situ monitoring infrastructure that supports research and system-wide observation.
Does the program fund planning and design work?
Yes. The program can fund planning and design work that prepares future land acquisition or construction projects.
Is there an expectation around sustainability for facility or exhibit projects?
Yes. The notice highlights a major emphasis that any facility or exhibit work should pursue the highest sustainable design standards that are feasible for the project.
How much total funding does NOAA expect to make available?
NOAA expects about $8.5 million total to be available in FY 2026, subject to final appropriations.
How many awards does NOAA expect to make?
NOAA anticipates making roughly 5 to 20 awards across construction, acquisition, and/or planning and design projects, depending on the size and scope of proposals and final appropriations.
What is the maximum federal funding per award for land acquisition or construction?
Land acquisition and construction projects are capped at $3,000,000 in federal funding per award.
What is the maximum federal funding per award for stand-alone planning and design projects?
Stand-alone planning and design projects are capped at $500,000 in federal funding.
Is there any funding set aside for vehicles or vessels?
Yes. Up to 10 percent of FY 2026 funds may be reserved for critical reserve vehicle or vessel needs.
How would vehicle or vessel awards be made?
The notice indicates these vehicle or vessel awards would be made noncompetitively to stand-alone applications that clearly address a critical operational need at a reserve, at the discretion of the NOAA Office for Coastal Management.
What are the typical project periods?
Typical project periods are expected to run about 12 to 36 months.
Can a project period be longer than 36 months?
Yes. For more complex construction efforts, NOAA indicates that longer timelines may be allowed; however, the total project period cannot exceed 60 months.
What factors can affect the final award amount or conditions?
Final selections, award amounts, and award conditions depend on available funds and the outcome of negotiations with NOAA.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed in the notice is 2026-09-18.
When was this opportunity posted or created?
The posting indicates the opportunity was created on 2026-07-17.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The official title is "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCM 2026 33239.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What type of grant program is this?
The notice identifies this as a discretionary grant program.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 11.420.
How does this program relate to the National Estuarine Research Reserve System?
NERRS reserves are federally designated estuarine areas managed for conservation and sustained scientific and public education work under 15 C.F.R. Part 921. This funding supports acquisition, construction, and planning/design activities that help reserves continue that mission.
Are projects required to support research, monitoring, or education at reserves?
The program description focuses on ensuring reserves can meet growing demands for high-quality science, monitoring programs, and education and outreach activities, while also safeguarding the estuarine habitats that make those programs possible.
Is the posted ceiling amount the maximum any award can receive?
The posting indicates an expected maximum (ceiling) of $3,000,000, which aligns with the stated cap for land acquisition and construction awards. Stand-alone planning and design awards have a separate cap of $500,000 in federal funding.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Previous opportunity: American Innovation and Workforce Advancement Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2026 33239
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NOAA NOS OCM 2026 33239", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.