The FY26 Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants - Fishery Management competition, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program, provides financial assistance for projects that sustainably manage coral reef fisheries. This funding is authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § 6410.

Overview

Projects funded through this competition are intended to support activities that develop or update sustainable coral reef fisheries management plans, address science and information gaps that help advance sustainable management of coral reef fisheries stocks, and advance ecosystem-based fisheries management by modernizing analysis of existing data and application of fisheries management tools. Proposals selected for funding will be implemented through one- to three-year grants or cooperative agreements.

Funding and Benefits

Approximately $1,000,000 is expected to be available for this competition. The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program anticipates that awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000. NOAA will not accept proposals requesting less than $50,000. Funds will be administered by the Office of Habitat Conservation in conjunction with the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. Funding may be divided among the U.S. Pacific and Atlantic regions to maintain the geographic balance of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program grant portfolio, as required by the Coral Reef Conservation Act.

• Program Funding: $1,000,000 (estimated)
• Award Minimum: $50,000
• Award Maximum: $200,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement, Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include regional fishery management councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, nongovernmental organizations or research institutions that have demonstrated expertise in coral reef conservation or restoration and/or scientific research, designated coral reef research centers, U.S. states, territories, or local governments with authority over coral reefs, and Native entities with interests in a coral reef ecosystem.

Eligible applicant types include:

• County governments
• State governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
• Other Native American tribal organizations

Application Process

Applicants must pay close attention to the submission checks section and the common error section of the National Marine Fisheries Service website on the Grant Application Process. Common errors can prevent successful application submission and receipt in eRA Commons. Grants.gov may allow an application to be submitted, but eRA Commons will not accept the application if it includes these errors, and NOAA will not receive it. When applying, applicants will receive notification of submission validation from both Grants.gov and eRA Commons. Only validated applications are sent to NOAA for review. NOAA strongly recommends that a final and complete application be submitted at least two business days prior to the submission deadline. In addition to Grants.gov automated notification messages, once an electronic application is accepted in eRA Commons, applicants will receive an automated notification that the completed application was received and that an application number will be assigned. If there are errors in the application, eRA Commons will send automated email notifications of any errors or warnings identified. All eRA Commons errors must be resolved prior to the application due date for the application to be processed. Applicants should save and print the proof of submission messages from both Grants.gov and eRA Commons. If an acceptance message from both systems is not received, applicants should follow up with the eRA Helpdesk at 1-866-504-9552 and the agency contact to confirm NOAA’s receipt of the complete submission.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 23, 2026
• Posted Date: April 24, 2026
• Archive Date: August 22, 2026
• Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-OHC-2026-33125

Contact Information

For administrative or technical questions regarding this announcement, contact the competition manager: Liz Fairey.

• Phone: 301-427-8632
• Email: Liz.Fairey@noaa.gov