National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law summary: “Shall be for National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund grants, as authorized under section 906(c) of division O of Public Law 114–113 (Title IX).”

Communities in coastal areas of the United States are experiencing more extreme weather events due to the impacts of climate change. To protect coastal communities from the negative impacts of these events, the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) restores, increases and strengthens natural infrastructure to protect communities while also enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife. The program invests in projects that restore or expand natural features such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, forests, coastal rivers and floodplains, and barrier islands that minimize the impacts of coastal flooding on nearby communities. The program, established in 2018, is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in coordination with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management.

New funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will significantly increase annual investments to support natural and nature-based infrastructure projects in coastal areas. These projects help to tackle the climate crisis and advance support for underserved communities by enhancing coastal resilience, conserving our lands, waters and biodiversity, providing storm protection and flood reduction, and increasing carbon sequestration and storage. In combination with other NOAA habitat restoration investments, NOAA will greatly reduce the impacts of coastal flooding in coastal communities and enhance the ecological integrity and functionality of coastal and inland ecosystems and floodplains. These NCRF funds will support projects that build resilience of coastal communities and their infrastructure from flooding and erosion, in addition to their co-benefits for fish and wildlife. They will also contribute to the New Blue Economy, supporting job creation in design and implementation of restoration projects, from monitoring and assessment to engineering design and construction jobs.  

The additional new BIL funding will also enable NCRF to provide increased support for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, including those who have been historically disadvantaged. NCRF funding  will include enhanced engagement and technical assistance to support applicants and grantees, including partnerships with organizations that address issues related to equity and justice.  It also includes private sector partnerships and investments, given their  mutual interest in building community resilience and avoiding future damages and costs to individuals, communities and businesses. These efforts will complement the NFWF’s ongoing equity focused efforts to ensure effective coordination with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in program implementation.

 $492M over 5 years

• Notice of Funding Opportunity offsite link (The Funding Opportunity closes April 12, 2023) 
• Webinar offsite link (The March 2, 2023 webinar can be viewed to better understand this and future competitions. You must register to view.)