PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To provide grants and cooperative agreements for biological, economic, sociological, public policy, and other research, administration, and public education projects on the coastal environment to benefit U.S. fisheries, conserve protected resources, and add to the economic and social well being of the Nation. Projects are funded to carry out public policy pertaining to protection and restoration of the Nation's wetlands and other coastal habitats, pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Estuary Restoration Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987, Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Research Act (CWPPRA) and other legislation. Research and management includes determining the effects of habitat modifications and contaminants on populations of living marine resources, restoring depleted stocks that have been adversely impacted by habitat modifications, determining if artificial or restored habitat fulfills essential habitat needs of living marine resources, and quantifying contaminants and debris that pose a hazard to populations of these animals.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. BUSINESS AND COMMERCE;
- Commercial Fisheries;
2. NATURAL RESOURCES;
- Land Conservation;
3. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY;
- Research - Specialized;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Federal;
- State;
- Other public institution/organization;
- Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments;
- Other private institution/organization;
- Anyone/general public;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- Federal;
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Other public institution/organization;
- Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments;
- U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Other private institutions/organizations;
- Anyone/general public;