National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System Land Acquisition and Construction Program is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through its Office for Coastal Management. This federal program supports designated reserve agencies and universities in coastal states and territories by providing funding for land acquisition, construction, planning and design, and related infrastructure improvements. The program is rooted in the Coastal Zone Management Act and is designed to strengthen long term protection, research capacity, and educational infrastructure within estuarine reserves across the United States. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and operational capacity of estuarine reserves. Projects funded under this program may include acquisition of land to expand reserve boundaries, construction of new facilities or retrofitting existing infrastructure, development of monitoring systems, and acquisition of vehicles or vessels necessary for reserve operations. NOAA prioritizes projects that improve habitat protection, support climate resilience, and incorporate sustainable design features such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and nature based infrastructure. Funding under this opportunity is expected to total approximately 8.5 million dollars for the fiscal year, with an anticipated 5 to 20 awards. Individual project funding caps are set at 3 million dollars for acquisition and construction projects and 500000 dollars for planning and design projects. Project durations typically range from 12 to 36 months, though complex construction projects may extend up to 60 months. Funding is contingent upon federal appropriations and subject to negotiation with NOAA prior to award. Eligible applicants are limited to designated state agencies or universities that are formally recognized to receive reserve system funding through agreements with NOAA. These applicants must demonstrate compliance with federal regulations and possess the administrative and technical capacity to complete the proposed project. Federal agencies may participate as partners but are not eligible to receive funds directly. Projects must meet specific criteria, such as being included in approved management plans and not involving eminent domain for land acquisition. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application package through Grants.gov, including standard federal forms, a detailed project narrative, and a budget justification. The narrative must outline project goals, methodology, anticipated outcomes, and alignment with program priorities. Evaluation of applications is conducted through a competitive, merit based review process, with scoring criteria focused on project relevance, technical merit, applicant qualifications, and budget realism. Additional considerations include readiness to proceed and alignment with resilience and sustainability goals. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is September 18, 2026 at 1159 pm Eastern Time. Successful applicants are expected to be notified around October 2026, with project start dates anticipated as early as February or March 2027 depending on final approvals and compliance requirements. The program operates on a recurring basis, typically aligned with federal fiscal cycles, and includes requirements for periodic reporting, environmental compliance, and adherence to federal grant management standards. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in coastal conservation, infrastructure resilience, and scientific research. By supporting targeted improvements in estuarine reserves, the program advances NOAA’s mission to protect coastal ecosystems while enhancing public access, education, and long term environmental monitoring capabilities.

Focus on resilience and sustainability features; demonstrate project readiness and detailed planning; align with reserve management plans; ensure clear match documentation