Assessing Sand and Mineral Resources on the Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) | M18AS00005

Opportunity Information: Apply for M18AS00005

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), through its Marine Minerals Program (MMP), offered a cooperative agreement to support research focused on offshore sand, gravel, and strategic mineral resources on the Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The work is framed around public-benefit needs, especially improving access to offshore sand resources used for coastal restoration projects and strengthening coastal resiliency efforts. In practical terms, the opportunity is meant to help Mid-Atlantic states better find, map, characterize, and manage offshore sediment resources that can be used for beach nourishment, dune rebuilding, storm damage reduction, habitat restoration, and other shoreline protection and recovery activities.

The central goal of the funded effort is coordination and implementation: building a more organized, regional approach to identifying, delineating, and managing sand, gravel, and strategic mineral resources across the Mid-Atlantic. That implies compiling and integrating existing data, filling key information gaps where needed, and establishing consistent practices that states and BOEM can use to make decisions about resource availability and suitability. Because these resources sit on the OCS, the project also supports planning and permitting decisions connected to offshore operations and sediment borrowing, helping ensure that resource use is environmentally responsible and aligned with federal and state requirements.

This opportunity was structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, meaning BOEM MMP staff were expected to be substantially involved in the project. That involvement can include participation in study design, coordination, technical input, data management expectations, and engagement during study execution. The legal basis cited is Section 1345 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), which authorizes BOEM to work with affected states through cooperative agreements to meet OCSLA requirements. The intent is to promote sharing of information, pooling of expertise, and joint monitoring or coordination arrangements so that federal and state agencies can better carry out applicable laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to OCS activities, both offshore and in related onshore contexts.

Eligibility was limited to Mid-Atlantic East Coast entities: state agencies and public universities (as defined by OCSLA) located in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. The notice also listed eligible applicant types more broadly as state governments, county governments, and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education, but the narrative makes clear that the funding was targeted to those Mid-Atlantic states. While collaborative research and team-based proposals were encouraged, only one award was expected, and funding was only available to a single agency or university as the primary recipient. States could decide whether to submit a single-entity proposal or a collaborative proposal led by one applicant on behalf of multiple partners. For multi-organization efforts, the announcement recommended that a State Geologist serve as the coordinator to help align stakeholders and keep the effort cohesive.

The maximum award amount (ceiling) was $250,000, with one award anticipated. Cost sharing or matching contributions were strongly encouraged and could be provided in cash or as in-kind support such as staff time, equipment, or other resources. At the same time, matching funds were not required, and proposals were explicitly not evaluated based on whether matching funds were available, which lowers barriers for eligible entities that may have limited capacity to provide cost share.

Administratively, the opportunity was issued as a discretionary funding action under BOEM, with a funding opportunity number of M18AS00005 and a CFDA listing of 15.424. The opportunity was created on August 14, 2018, and the original closing date was October 12, 2018. Overall, the program is best understood as BOEM partnering with Mid-Atlantic states to improve the science and management framework for offshore sediment and mineral resources so those resources can be used effectively and responsibly in support of coastal restoration and resilience priorities.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assessing Sand and Mineral Resources on the Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.424.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 14, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 12, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for M18AS00005

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