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NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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

Funds land purchases, construction and planning projects for NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves.

A living shoreline needs land under it. This program pays for buying land, building or upgrading facilities, and planning that work for NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System — the network of protected estuaries set aside for coastal research, monitoring and education.

Two different caps apply depending on what's proposed. Acquisition or construction projects can get up to $3,000,000 i

Land acquisition, construction and stand-alone planning and design projects at NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves, open only to a Reserve's designated lead state agency or university under an existing NOAA memorandum of understanding. A cost share is required.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.18 Sept 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$8.5M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: NOAA-NOS-OCM-2026-33239Source: www.grants.gov