NOAA’s NCCOS/CRP is offering this grant to assess the social, cultural, and economic impacts of harmful algal blooms.

Please note that:

(1) PIs must be employees of an eligible entity listed above; and applications must be submitted through that entity. Non-Federal researchers should comply with
their institutional requirements for application submission.

(2) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Cooperative/Joint Institutes will be funded through cooperative agreements.

(3) Foreign researchers must apply as subawards or contracts through an eligible U.S. entity.

(4) Federal applicants are eligible to submit applications for intra- or inter-agency funds transfers through this competition. Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal authority to accept funds for this type of research.

(5) An eligible U.S. entity may propose Federal agency researchers as funded or unfunded collaborators. If Federal agency researchers are proposed as funded
collaborators, the applicant should present the collaborator’s funding request in the application in the same way documentation is provided for a subrecipient for purposes of project evaluation, even though intra- or inter-agency funding transfers will generally be used if the project is selected.

(6) NCCOS researchers may apply through an eligible U.S. entity as funded or unfunded collaborators but cannot be the lead PI on the application. NOAA Federal salaries will not be paid.

The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)/Competitive Research Program (CRP) [formerly Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR)/Coastal Ocean Program (COP)] is soliciting proposals for the Social, Cultural and Economic Assessment of Harmful Algal Bloom program. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2024 Federal appropriations. It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a September 1, 2024 start date. An informational webinar on this solicitation will be offered within approximately two weeks from the publication date of the NOFO. Information regarding this announcement, including webinars and additional background information, is available on the NCCOS funding opportunities website (https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/ ).

It is anticipated that up to approximately $1,500,000 may be available in Fiscal Year 2024 for the first year for all projects combined. If funds become available for this program, 3 to 5 projects are expected to be funded at the level of $300,000 to $400,000 per year per proposal. Projects are not expected to exceed 3 years in duration. NCCOS/CRP may reject any proposals submitted with an annual budget that is greater than $400,000 for any year.

NOAA encourages applicants and awardees to support the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work. NOAA defines diversity as the mixture of the unique attributes that shape an individual’s identity which they bring into the workplace to help NOAA accomplish its goals (1). Diversity refers to demographic diversity (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation), experiential diversity (e.g., affinities, hobbies, and abilities), and cognitive diversity (e.g., sensory processing and problem solving). Equity is defined as the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment (2,3). NOAA defines inclusion as a culture that values the unique attributes of all team members. Inclusion is an environment which is respectful, collaborative, supportive, and one that allows for equal access (1). Inclusion requires active and intentional engagement on the part of everyone and provides a feeling of belonging. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion NOAA seeks to improve the creativity, productivity, and the vitality of its research community.

The required LOI should be sent by e-mail to nccos.grant.awards@noaa.gov. Full proposals will not be considered if a LOI was not submitted.

Electronic Access: Proposals should be submitted through Grants.gov, http://www.grants.gov .            Sign up to receive any potential amendments to this Announcement via www.grants.gov.

1. Social, Cultural, and Economic Assessment of HABs Priorities

      NCCOS/CRP is soliciting proposals that assess the social, cultural and economic

      impacts of HAB events. Research funded through this opportunity may guide 

      future research on the social, cultural and economic impacts of HAB events at a 

      local, state, and regional, and national level, and inform the selection of

      management strategies and methods most appropriate to a specific HAB event 

      and ongoing issues. Resulting research will also provide the necessary building 

      blocks that can lead to a better national assessment of the social, cultural and 

      economic impacts from HAB events.

      Proposals must address at least one of the following priorities:  

        –  Social and/or cultural impacts of HAB events response at local, state and/or

          regional scales.

        –  Economic impacts of HAB events at local, state and/or regional scales.

        –  Impacts of HAB events on subsistence at local, state and/or regional scales.

      Within one of these priorities, ideal proposals will address at least one of the

      following objectives:

        –  Assess the impacts of HAB events on different human uses ( e.g., 

          commercial, recreational, and subsistence), human communities, social 

          networks, and/or individuals; 

        –  Identify and/or quantify actual and potential vulnerability and resilience of

          industries (e.g, shellfish, seafood and tourism), communities, and/or 

          individuals to HAB events;

        –  Evaluate behavioral response to HAB events and/or HAB prevention, control

          and mitigation strategies;

        –  Measure the cost and benefits of HAB prevention, control, and mitigation  

          strategies.

      Examples include research that helps:

        –  Assess the social and/or cultural impacts of HAB events (e.g., changes in 

          recreation and tourism, community conflict, changes in social, cultural,

          and/or psychological well-being, etc.);

        –  Assess subsistence impacts of HAB events (e.g., lost fishing and seafood 

          access, changes in subsistence, changes in social, cultural, and/or 

          psychological well-being, etc.);

        –  Assess the social and or cultural impacts of HAB events on vulnerable social 

          groups or communities (e.g., are some groups disproportionately affected or 

          less able to avert harm?);

        –  Evaluate behavioral changes that may occur during and after HAB events in

          different sectors and communities (e.g., temporal and spatial shifts in 

          activities, changes commercial, recreational and subsistence use, community 

          conflict, etc.);

        –  Evaluate perceptions, value, and use of information (e.g., how people 

          perceive, understand, and act on advisories, trust or distrust management 

          decisions, etc.);

        –  Determine the economic impacts of HAB events across communities, 

          demographic groups, regions, and policy interventions (e.g., loss of access, 

          loss in revenue, cost of avoidance, etc.)

        –  Estimate loss and cost by HAB events and sector (e.g., aquaculture industry, 

          recreational activities, coastal tourism, etc.);

        –  Measure economic impacts of HAB events on individuals, households and 

          communities associated with commercial, recreational, and subsistence 

          fisheries (e.g., economic impact analysis, cost-benefit analysis, etc.)

      Possible research products and outputs may include: 1) Research and strategies 

      that lead to more accurate assessments of the direct social, cultural and or 

      economic impacts of HAB events at the local, state, and regional scales 2) 

      Development and/or use of transferable research approaches that can be applied to 

      different HAB events and at different scales (e.g., local, state, regional).

      While 3 to 5 projects are expected to be funded, NCCOS/CRP envisions funding at 

      least one project focused on social, cultural and/or subsistence impacts of HAB 

      events and at least one project focused on economic impacts of HAB events.

   2. Examples of Non-Applicable Research Topics

      NCCOS CRP coordinates with other NOAA, federal, and state research programs to 

      leverage their research investments and avoid duplication of effort. The scope of 

      these programs has been described in several reports (6,10,11,12,13). NCCOS 

      Competitive HAB Programs will not fund research in the following areas:

        a) Research on inland or freshwater HABs except in the Great Lakes and coastal 

           waters, which, as defined in the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. 

           1453 (3)), contain a measurable quantity or percentage of seawater. Research 

           on freshwater toxins that are transported into the coastal zone is, however, 

           permitted.

        b) Disease surveillance, clinical characterization, and therapeutic guidance in 

           humans are the purview of other agencies, such as NSF/NIEHS COHH, CDC 

           and FDA.

        c) Routine monitoring for HAB cells and toxins and water quality.

        d) Operational HAB forecasting and observation systems.

    3. Management Technical Advisory Group

      Application of research results for use by managers, policy-makers, and other end 

      users through a highly integrated and collaborative approach is a central objective of 

      NCCOS/CRP. Proposals should clearly articulate outcome-based management goals 

      of the project (more information can be found in Section IV.B. and at 

      https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/fundingopportunities/outputs-and-

      outcomes/) and a continuous engagement process with relevant end users.

      Engagement activities with end users may include, but are not limited to, annual 

      meetings, workshops, training sessions on how to apply information or tools, and 

      inclusion on coordination calls. The Lead Principal Investigator (PI) is strongly 

      encouraged to establish a Management Transition Advisory Group (MTAG) to ensure

      effective collaboration between the project PI(s) and end users, and successful 

      transfer of research results to the intended end user(s). 

   4. References

      (1) NOAA FY2020-2024 Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, December 2020.

         https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/document/2020/Dec/NOAA%

         202020-2024%20Diversity%20and%20Inclusion%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf.

      (2) Government-Wide Strategic Plan To Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.

         Accessibility In The Federal Workforce, November 2021. The White House.

         https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Strategic-Plan-to-

         Advance-Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-and-Accessibility-in-the-Federal-Workforce-

         11.23.21.pdf.

      (3) Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 

         Communities Through the Federal Government (EO 13985), January 20, 2021. 

         https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20

         /executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-

         communities-through-the-federal-government/

      (4) NOAA Blue Economy Strategic Plan 2021-2025, January 2021.

         https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/economy/blue-economy-strategy/.

      (5) Proceedings of the Workshop on the Socio-economic Effects of Harmful Algal

         Blooms in the United States, U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms, 

         Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, March 2021.

         https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/33455. 

      (6) National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Ocean Sciences and 

         Technology, 2016. Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Comprehensive Research 

         Plan and Action Strategy: An Interagency Report. Washington, DC. 94 pp.

         http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=230904&pt=10&p=19132.

      (7) HARRNESS, 2005. Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National

         Environmental Science Strategy 2005-2015. Ramsdell, J.S., D.M. Anderson and 

         P.M. Glibert (Eds.), Ecological Society of America, Washington DC, 96 pp.

         http://www.esa.org/HARRNESS/harrnessReport10032005.pdf.

      (8) HARR-HD, Bauer, M., ed. 2006. Harmful Algal Research and Response: A 

         Human Dimensions Strategy. National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful

         Algal Blooms, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 58 pp

      (9) HAB RDDTT. 2008. Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Development, 

         Demonstration, and Technology Transfer National Workshop Report. Dortch, Q.,

         Anderson, D.M., Ayres, D.L., Glibert, P.M. (Eds). Woods Hole, MA. 

         hab.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RDDTT_National_Workshop_Report_

         Final_43464.pdf.

     (10) Jewett, E.B., Lopez, C.B., Dortch, Q., Etheridge, S.M., Backer, L.C., 2008.

         Harmful Algal Bloom Management and Response: Assessment and Plan.

         Interagency Working Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia and Human 

         Health of the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. Washington,

         DC, 76 pp. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/

         files/microsites/ostp/jsost_hab0908.pdf.

     (11) Lopez, C.B., Jewett, E.B., Dortch, Q., Walton, B.T., Hudnell, H.K. 2008. 

         Scientific Assessment of Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms. Interagency Working

         Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Human Health of the Joint

         Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, Washington, D.C., 65 pp. 

         http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=41023&pt=10&p=19132.

     (12) National Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters. 2000. National

        Science and Technology Council Committee on Environmental and Natural 

        Resources, 47pp. https://docslib.org/doc/2056206/national-assessment-of-

        harmful-algal-blooms-in-us-waters.

     (13) NOAA National Sea Grant College Program. 2001. Prevention, Control, and

        Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms: A Research Plan. 28pp. 

        http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=24160&pt=10&p=19132.

1. Social, Cultural, and Economic Assessment of HABs Priorities

      NCCOS/CRP is soliciting proposals that assess the social, cultural and economic

      impacts of HAB events. Research funded through this opportunity may guide 

      future research on the social, cultural and economic impacts of HAB events at a 

      local, state, and regional, and national level, and inform the selection of

      management strategies and methods most appropriate to a specific HAB event 

      and ongoing issues. Resulting research will also provide the necessary building 

      blocks that can lead to a better national assessment of the social, cultural and 

      economic impacts from HAB events.

      Proposals must address at least one of the following priorities:  

        –  Social and/or cultural impacts of HAB events response at local, state and/or

          regional scales.

        –  Economic impacts of HAB events at local, state and/or regional scales.

        –  Impacts of HAB events on subsistence at local, state and/or regional scales.

      Within one of these priorities, ideal proposals will address at least one of the

      following objectives:

        –  Assess the impacts of HAB events on different human uses ( e.g., 

          commercial, recreational, and subsistence), human communities, social 

          networks, and/or individuals; 

        –  Identify and/or quantify actual and potential vulnerability and resilience of

          industries (e.g, shellfish, seafood and tourism), communities, and/or 

          individuals to HAB events;

        –  Evaluate behavioral response to HAB events and/or HAB prevention, control

          and mitigation strategies;

        –  Measure the cost and benefits of HAB prevention, control, and mitigation  

          strategies.

      Examples include research that helps:

        –  Assess the social and/or cultural impacts of HAB events (e.g., changes in 

          recreation and tourism, community conflict, changes in social, cultural,

          and/or psychological well-being, etc.);

        –  Assess subsistence impacts of HAB events (e.g., lost fishing and seafood 

          access, changes in subsistence, changes in social, cultural, and/or 

          psychological well-being, etc.);

        –  Assess the social and or cultural impacts of HAB events on vulnerable social 

          groups or communities (e.g., are some groups disproportionately affected or 

          less able to avert harm?);

        –  Evaluate behavioral changes that may occur during and after HAB events in

          different sectors and communities (e.g., temporal and spatial shifts in 

          activities, changes commercial, recreational and subsistence use, community 

          conflict, etc.);

        –  Evaluate perceptions, value, and use of information (e.g., how people 

          perceive, understand, and act on advisories, trust or distrust management 

          decisions, etc.);

        –  Determine the economic impacts of HAB events across communities, 

          demographic groups, regions, and policy interventions (e.g., loss of access, 

          loss in revenue, cost of avoidance, etc.)

        –  Estimate loss and cost by HAB events and sector (e.g., aquaculture industry, 

          recreational activities, coastal tourism, etc.);

        –  Measure economic impacts of HAB events on individuals, households and 

          communities associated with commercial, recreational, and subsistence 

          fisheries (e.g., economic impact analysis, cost-benefit analysis, etc.)

      Possible research products and outputs may include: 1) Research and strategies 

      that lead to more accurate assessments of the direct social, cultural and or 

      economic impacts of HAB events at the local, state, and regional scales 2) 

      Development and/or use of transferable research approaches that can be applied to 

      different HAB events and at different scales (e.g., local, state, regional).

      While 3 to 5 projects are expected to be funded, NCCOS/CRP envisions funding at 

      least one project focused on social, cultural and/or subsistence impacts of HAB 

      events and at least one project focused on economic impacts of HAB events.

   2. Examples of Non-Applicable Research Topics

      NCCOS CRP coordinates with other NOAA, federal, and state research programs to 

      leverage their research investments and avoid duplication of effort. The scope of 

      these programs has been described in several reports (6,10,11,12,13). NCCOS 

      Competitive HAB Programs will not fund research in the following areas:

        a) Research on inland or freshwater HABs except in the Great Lakes and coastal 

           waters, which, as defined in the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. 

           1453 (3)), contain a measurable quantity or percentage of seawater. Research 

           on freshwater toxins that are transported into the coastal zone is, however, 

           permitted.

        b) Disease surveillance, clinical characterization, and therapeutic guidance in 

           humans are the purview of other agencies, such as NSF/NIEHS COHH, CDC 

           and FDA.

        c) Routine monitoring for HAB cells and toxins and water quality.

        d) Operational HAB forecasting and observation systems.

    3. Management Technical Advisory Group

      Application of research results for use by managers, policy-makers, and other end 

      users through a highly integrated and collaborative approach is a central objective of 

      NCCOS/CRP. Proposals should clearly articulate outcome-based management goals 

      of the project (more information can be found in Section IV.B. and at 

      https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/fundingopportunities/outputs-and-

      outcomes/) and a continuous engagement process with relevant end users.

      Engagement activities with end users may include, but are not limited to, annual 

      meetings, workshops, training sessions on how to apply information or tools, and 

      inclusion on coordination calls. The Lead Principal Investigator (PI) is strongly 

      encouraged to establish a Management Transition Advisory Group (MTAG) to ensure

      effective collaboration between the project PI(s) and end users, and successful 

      transfer of research results to the intended end user(s). 

   4. References

      (1) NOAA FY2020-2024 Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, December 2020.

         https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/document/2020/Dec/NOAA%

         202020-2024%20Diversity%20and%20Inclusion%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf.

      (2) Government-Wide Strategic Plan To Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.

         Accessibility In The Federal Workforce, November 2021. The White House.

         https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Strategic-Plan-to-

         Advance-Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-and-Accessibility-in-the-Federal-Workforce-

         11.23.21.pdf.

      (3) Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 

         Communities Through the Federal Government (EO 13985), January 20, 2021. 

         https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20

         /executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-

         communities-through-the-federal-government/

      (4) NOAA Blue Economy Strategic Plan 2021-2025, January 2021.

         https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/economy/blue-economy-strategy/.

      (5) Proceedings of the Workshop on the Socio-economic Effects of Harmful Algal

         Blooms in the United States, U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms, 

         Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, March 2021.

         https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/33455. 

      (6) National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Ocean Sciences and 

         Technology, 2016. Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Comprehensive Research 

         Plan and Action Strategy: An Interagency Report. Washington, DC. 94 pp.

         http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=230904&pt=10&p=19132.

      (7) HARRNESS, 2005. Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National

         Environmental Science Strategy 2005-2015. Ramsdell, J.S., D.M. Anderson and 

         P.M. Glibert (Eds.), Ecological Society of America, Washington DC, 96 pp.

         http://www.esa.org/HARRNESS/harrnessReport10032005.pdf.

      (8) HARR-HD, Bauer, M., ed. 2006. Harmful Algal Research and Response: A 

         Human Dimensions Strategy. National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful

         Algal Blooms, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 58 pp

      (9) HAB RDDTT. 2008. Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Development, 

         Demonstration, and Technology Transfer National Workshop Report. Dortch, Q.,

         Anderson, D.M., Ayres, D.L., Glibert, P.M. (Eds). Woods Hole, MA. 

         hab.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RDDTT_National_Workshop_Report_

         Final_43464.pdf.

     (10) Jewett, E.B., Lopez, C.B., Dortch, Q., Etheridge, S.M., Backer, L.C., 2008.

         Harmful Algal Bloom Management and Response: Assessment and Plan.

         Interagency Working Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia and Human 

         Health of the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. Washington,

         DC, 76 pp. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/

         files/microsites/ostp/jsost_hab0908.pdf.

     (11) Lopez, C.B., Jewett, E.B., Dortch, Q., Walton, B.T., Hudnell, H.K. 2008. 

         Scientific Assessment of Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms. Interagency Working

         Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Human Health of the Joint

         Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, Washington, D.C., 65 pp. 

         http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=41023&pt=10&p=19132.

     (12) National Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters. 2000. National

        Science and Technology Council Committee on Environmental and Natural 

        Resources, 47pp. https://docslib.org/doc/2056206/national-assessment-of-

        harmful-algal-blooms-in-us-waters.

     (13) NOAA National Sea Grant College Program. 2001. Prevention, Control, and

        Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms: A Research Plan. 28pp. 

        http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=24160&pt=10&p=19132.