Funding | Programmatic
Funding for our Programs
NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) partners with coastal states (including Great Lakes) and territories to manage ocean and coastal resources. OCRM provides funding in various forms through various programs, including:
- Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program
- Coastal Management Program
- Administrative Grants
- Coastal Resource Improvement Program
- Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants
- Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Funding
- National Estuarine Research Reserves
- Coral Reef Conservation Program
We also provide additional funding opportunities through our partners, including the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (16 U.S.C. § 1456d)
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) provides 1:1 matching funds to eligible coastal states and local governments to protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecologic, historic, or aesthetic values. Coastal states develop CELCP plans to identify the most important areas for acquisition. States also nominate their best projects to a national, competitive selection process.
Coastal Management Program
Administrative Grants (Section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act - 16 U.S.C. § 1455): Section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) provides funding for the administration of states coastal management programs. States provide matching 1:1 funds.
Coastal Resource Improvement Program (Section 306A of the Coastal Zone Management Act - 16 U.S.C. § 1455a): State coastal management programs may choose to spend up to half of their Section 306 funds on Section 306A projects. Among other things, Section 306A projects enhance public access to the coast and facilitate redevelopment of urban waterfronts. States provide 1:1 matching funds.
Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants (Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act - 16 U.S.C. § 1456b): The Coastal Zone Enhancement Program provides incentives for states and territories to enhance their programs in nine areas of national significance: aquaculture; cumulative and secondary impacts; energy and government facility siting; coastal hazards; marine debris; ocean/Great Lakes resources; public access; special area management plans; and wetlands.
Every five years, coastal states and territories assess each enhancement area. Based on these assessments, states develop new five year coastal enhancement strategies to increase their effectiveness in managing coastal resources. States and territories use Section 309 funding to implement these strategies. Federal coastal zone enhancement grants do not require a state match.
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (Technical Assistance/Section 310 of the Coastal Zone Management Act - 16 U.S.C. § 1456c): Implementation of State Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs (Section 6217 - 16 U.S.C. § 1456b) are funded under Section 310 (Technical Assistance). The Coastal Nonpoint Program encourages better coordination between state coastal zone managers and water quality experts to reduce polluted runoff in the coastal zone. States provide 1:1 matching funds.
National Estuarine Research Reserves (Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act - 16 U.S.C. § 1461)
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a network of protected areas that were established for long-term research, education and stewardship. The program is a partnership with coastal states and provides funding for acquiring lands and waters, operating and managing reserves, constructing reserve facilities, and for the purposes of conducting education or interpretive activities. States must provide 1:1 matching funds for the costs of acquiring lands and federal funds up to $5,000,000 to acquire a reserve may be available. Federal funds for operating and managing reserves, construction, and educational activities must be matched by states at a 7:3 federal to state ratio. Costs for educational activities that benefit the entire system may be exempt from match requirements. The program also administers a Graduate Research Fellowship Program that provides grants to support graduate student research in NERRs.
Coral Reef Conservation Program (Section 204 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 - 16 U.S.C. 6403)
The Coral Reef Conservation Program supports effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore valuable coral reef ecosystems. Through several grant opportunities, the Program provides funding to states, territories, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to support the implementation of local action strategies and a variety of other coral reef management, research and monitoring activities.