Advancing coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, and improved sediment management.

The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is soliciting competitive research proposals to develop tools, models, and products that advance natural‑infrastructure‑based coastal flood protection. Projects may focus on (1) public‑private partnerships to improve delivery of natural‑infrastructure solutions, (2) innovative insurance mechanisms that incentivize natural flood defenses, or (3) improved sediment‑management practices for beneficial use of dredged material. Funding is contingent on appropriations and will support 1‑6 projects for up to four years, with annual budgets up to $500,000 (maximum $2 million per project). Proposals must involve regional users, include an advisory group of intended users, and produce open‑source outputs. • Eligible applicants: U.S. higher‑education institutions, non‑profits, state/local/tribal governments, territories, and for‑profit entities. • Funding instrument: Cooperative Agreement (substantial NOAA involvement). • Expected deliverables: predictive flood‑risk models, decision‑support tools, cost‑benefit analyses, sediment‑placement guidelines, and open‑access data/code. • Required registrations: SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons (4‑6 weeks to complete). • Key dates: LOI due 11/09/2026; full proposal due 02/12/2027; informational webinar 10/20/2026. • Project start date: September 1 2027 (or first day of a month). • Mandatory annual advisory‑group meetings and reporting (semi‑annual financial, annual technical).