The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for funding to promote scientific progress in understanding coastal ecosystem resilience. The funding opportunity focuses on two areas of research: characterizing, quantifying, and defining indicators or metrics of resilience for various coastal ecosystems, and developing methods and approaches to advance economic valuation of resilience benefits provided by coastal ecosystems. The EPA anticipates funding approximately 7 awards up to $1,200,000 per award.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces a funding opportunity under its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program focused on enhancing coastal ecosystems' resilience amid climate change. The solicitation aims to support research that characterizes resilience metrics for various coastal ecosystems and develops methodologies for economic valuation of resilience benefits. With a budget of approximately $8.4 million, the EPA anticipates funding around seven awards of up to $1.2 million each. The research proposals must align with the EPA's strategic goals of improving climate change adaptation and waterbody protection. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public institutions, and other entities, excluding for-profit firms and federal agencies. Emphasizing innovation and sustainability, the initiative encourages diverse participation, especially from historically underrepresented institutions, to enhance understanding and management of coastal ecosystems against multiple stressors. The application process requires detailed project narratives, submission through Grants.gov, and adherence to special provisions concerning data management and human subjects research where relevant. This initiative underlines the importance of scientific research in sustaining coastal ecological and community resilience against environmental challenges.