Washington, D.C. —  Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, today announced the Coral Reef and Natural Resources (CRNR) Initiative open for applications from the U.S. Insular Areas. The goal of the CRNR Initiative is to improve the health of coral reef ecosystems and other natural resources in the U.S. insular areas for their long-term economic and social benefit. Priority will be given to projects that help the insular areas address threats to coral reef ecosystems and eradicate aquatic and terrestrial plant, insect, and animal invasive species.

“Acting Secretary Bernhardt and I are committed to protecting the natural resources of the insular areas in line with the mission of the Department,” said Assistant Secretary Domenech. “We have prioritized the eradication of invasive species, fulfilling requirements under S.47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed yesterday by President Donald J. Trump. This bipartisan public lands bill requires federal agencies to protect water, oceans, coasts, and wildlife from invasive species and to achieve an annual net reduction in invasive species, by reducing either their populations or their areas of infestation.”

Applications for 2019 funding are encouraged and will be considered from insular government entities, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations whose grant proposals directly benefit the four U.S. territories or three freely associated states, in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Complete instructions for applications may be found here.

The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2019. Visit grants.gov and use CFDA# 15.875.