Gulf of Mexico Coast Conservation Corp (GulfCorps) Program | NOAA NMFS HCPO 2017 2005141

GulfCorps (Gulf of Mexico Coast Conservation Corps) Program FAQs

1) What is the Gulf of Mexico Coast Conservation Corps (GulfCorps) Program?

GulfCorps is a NOAA funding opportunity to build and run a Gulf-wide conservation corps that delivers on-the-ground coastal habitat and water-quality restoration across the five Gulf states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

2) What are the main goals of this funding opportunity?

The program has a dual purpose: (1) restore coastal habitats and improve water quality through practical restoration work, and (2) strengthen coastal economies by creating paid, job-driven training and employment pathways for local residents so participants gain transferable skills and long-term career prospects in conservation and restoration.

3) What kinds of activities are expected under this program?

Funded organizations are expected to recruit, train, and employ corps members who carry out habitat and water-quality restoration projects throughout the Gulf region. NOAA expects the applicant to be able to implement a range of restoration activities and manage multiple projects at the same time.

4) Where must the work take place?

Projects are intended to occur across the Gulf of Mexico region, specifically in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. NOAA highlighted an intent for work occurring in each of the Gulf states.

5) Who is the intended workforce or participant group?

The opportunity emphasizes paid, job-driven training and employment pathways for local residents in coastal communities, with the goal that participants leave with marketable skills, hands-on experience, and credible career-building opportunities.

6) What does NOAA want applicants to demonstrate in their proposals?

NOAA highlighted three core expectations: (1) strong technical and administrative capacity to implement restoration activities and manage multiple projects, including work across the five Gulf states; (2) partnerships, organizational resources, and regional knowledge to build a corps program that can last beyond the federal award period (a realistic sustainability path); and (3) a clear commitment to community benefit through workforce development so participants gain marketable skills and career opportunities.

7) Does the applicant need to operate in one state or multiple states?

Applicants are expected to show they can operate a conservation corps at scale either in a single Gulf state or across multiple states, and they should be able to coordinate closely with NOAA and state and federal partners when selecting projects.

8) How does NOAA view the role of corps labor in Gulf restoration?

A strong proposal should explain how corps labor will be a valuable and reliable part of the broader Gulf restoration workforce, rather than only a short-term staffing solution.

9) What is the funding instrument type?

Awards are made as cooperative agreements, which generally means NOAA expects to stay meaningfully involved during implementation rather than issuing funding and stepping back.

10) How long are awards expected to last?

NOAA anticipated multi-year awards lasting three years, with funding released in annual increments through 2019 without additional competition.

11) What is the funding range for requests?

Funding requests had to be between $1,000,000 (floor) and $7,000,000 (ceiling). The maximum award amount listed is $7,000,000.

12) Will NOAA make multiple awards or a single award?

NOAA indicated it expected to make as few awards as possible while still meeting program goals, and noted it could make a single award if that best met the objectives.

13) How does NOAA plan to distribute funding across the region?

NOAA emphasized an intent to achieve an even distribution of funding across all five Gulf states.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost-sharing or match requirement for applicants.

15) Can applicants include leveraged support even though match is not required?

Yes. NOAA encourages applicants to leverage federal dollars with non-federal cash or in-kind support, and indicates that leveraging can factor into how proposals are evaluated.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit (commercial) organizations, U.S. territories, and state, local, and Native American tribal governments.

17) Are individuals eligible to apply directly?

No. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

18) Can federal agencies or federal employees apply?

No. Federal agencies and federal employees cannot apply.

19) Can individuals or federal entities still participate in the effort?

Yes. NOAA explicitly encourages individuals and federal entities to partner with eligible applicants (such as states, local governments, and NGOs) to support program design and implementation.

20) What NOAA office administers this opportunity?

The program is administered within NOAA's Restoration Center, specifically through the Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program.

21) How does this program fit into broader Gulf restoration efforts?

The solicitation aligns the conservation corps model with larger Gulf restoration priorities, aiming to deliver measurable ecological outcomes while building a skilled restoration labor force rooted in coastal communities.

22) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NOAA NMFS HCPO 2017 2005141.

23) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 11.463.

24) What agency is offering this funding?

The agency is the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

25) What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development.

26) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posted (creation) date is December 14, 2016, and the original closing date is March 2, 2017.

27) What level of coordination does NOAA expect during project selection and implementation?

Applicants are expected to coordinate closely with NOAA as well as state and federal partners when choosing projects, and the cooperative agreement structure indicates NOAA expects meaningful involvement during implementation.

28) What does NOAA mean by program sustainability beyond the award period?

NOAA is looking for evidence that the applicant has the partnerships, organizational resources, and regional knowledge to build a corps program that can realistically last after NOAA funding ends.

29) What are the expected outcomes for corps participants?

The program emphasizes workforce development outcomes: participants should leave with marketable skills, hands-on experience, and credible career-building opportunities that support employment and environmental stewardship.

30) What are the expected environmental outcomes?

The program is intended to deliver real, on-the-ground ecosystem restoration, including coastal habitat restoration and improvements to water quality across the Gulf states.