The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a historic, federal government-wide investment that furthers NOAA’s efforts to build a Climate-Ready Nation. The NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge is a $575 million competitive grant program that will invest in holistic, collaborative approaches to coastal resilience at regional scales.
The goal of the challenge is to help coastal communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, extreme weather events, and coastal erosion. The challenge will focus on two funding tracks:
- Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development
- Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions
How can you apply for the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge?
The challenge will be administered by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. Applications will be accepted from coastal communities and regions across the United States.
Eligible applicants can apply to two parallel but separate funding tracks:
- Track One: Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development
- Track Two: Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions
The First Step: Outline your proposed project and submit a letter of intent. NOAA will invite selected applicants to submit a full application. Details regarding the letter of intent and the application are provided within the funding announcement.
Due Dates: For the letter of intent: Monday, August 21, 2023. For the full application: Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024.
Eligible Applicants: Coastal states, territories, counties, cities, tribes, and tribal organizations; public or private nonprofit organizations; and institutions of higher education
Track 1: Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development
Track One funding can be used to initiate new, regional-scale collaborations or to advance existing partnerships focused on climate resilience. The goal of Track One is to collectively move more coastal communities closer to taking action, especially those that are marginalized, underserved, or underrepresented.
Funding Availability: NOAA will select 20 to 25 applicants, to receive $500,000 to $2 million each, which will be spent over three to five years. Typical Track One awards are anticipated to be $1 million. Total funding for all Track One awards may be up to $25 million.
Eligible Activities: NOAA will fund activities to 1) build and expand regional collaboratives; 2) engage and partner with marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities; 3) assess risk and vulnerability; 4) plan resilience strategies and adaptation actions; and 5) build community and workforce capacity for climate adaptation efforts. The Notice of Funding Opportunity provides additional examples.
Track 2: Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions
This track provides funding for applicants to implement coordinated adaptation efforts that support a holistic vision for resilience and build the capacity of the communities in a region to sustain efforts into the future, especially those communities that are marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented.
Funding Availability: NOAA will select approximately 15 applicants to receive $15 to $75 million each, to be spent over five years. Typical Track Two awards are anticipated to be between $25 and $50 million. Total funding available for all Track Two awards is up to $550 million.
Eligible Activities: Track Two funding can be used to support activities such as 1) acquiring vulnerable land; 2) building natural infrastructure; 3) hybrid green (natural) and gray (structural) construction activities; 4) strengthening or protecting public access to coastal natural resources; 5) building the region’s capacity for ongoing actions that increase resilience; 6) planning and preparing for community-led relocation; and 7) updating state and local codes and policies. The Notice of Funding Opportunity provides additional examples.
The NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge is a significant investment in coastal resilience. The challenge will help coastal communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change and protect their people, property, and economies.
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