2024 Request for Proposals

There is significant concern for the health of Florida’s Coral Reef, particularly in the face of recent natural disasters, disease, ocean acidification, and changes in water temperatures. The scientific community considers coral reefs around the world to be threatened and those of Florida to be at great risk. In addition to their environmental and biological importance, Florida’s reefs also contribute considerably to the State’s economy. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests that coral reefs in southeast Florida have an asset value of $8.5 billion, generating $4.4 billion in local sales, $2 billion in local income, and over 70,000 jobs. Coral reefs are not only a major economic driver, but a foundation of history, culture, and resiliency of Southeast Florida and the Florida Keys. Yet funding to help utilize the best available science and technology to restore and maintain the vitality of this critical ecosystem is limited. Mote Marine Laboratory has been successfully leading the “Protect Our Reefs” (POR) specialty license plate for over 20 years to help supplement traditional coral reef research and restoration funding sources. Mote makes a substantial proportion of the proceeds from the sale of these plates available through POR grants to build partnerships that support research, education (and outreach), and conservation efforts focused on the restoration and sustainable use of Florida’s coral reefs. Over the past 20+ years of the POR Grant Program, Mote has received and reviewed over 500 proposals and grants have been awarded to more than 300 projects totaling over $7 million.

Eligible organizations shall be based in Florida and engaged in coral reef research, education, or conservation. Applicants must be a public agency, educational institution, or non-profit entity as designated by the IRS. 

Proposals this year should be for 12-month or less projects with funding requests not exceeding $30,000. A single award not exceeding $100,000 addressing the Special Focus Topic may be considered, please contact kclaridge@mote.org to discuss these proposals concepts.

Priority will be given to research and STEM education proposals that focus on coral reef restoration, such as coral propagation (sexual and asexual), rearing, and outplanting, as well as key coral reef associated fauna that may promote successful coral reef ecosystem recovery. A Special Focus Topic this year is on projects targeting the full scope and scale of the 2023 bleaching event and integrating methods to improve resilience in restored coral populations. Projects may include field-based or laboratory studies, integrate molecular techniques, and focus on the development or refining of best practices for nursery rearing and outplanting to optimize survival. It is highly recommended that proposals include collaboration with or use of Mote’s International Coral Gene Bank in Sarasota or Mote's Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration on Summerland Key (including the Climate and Ocean Acidification Ocean Simulator, more info is available on the Mote website at: https://mote.org/locations/details/international-center-for-coral-reef-research-and-restoration).

In order to be considered, proposals must be received by 5:00 P.M. (ET) on February 29, 2024. Award notification is projected for April 2024 with funds available in May 2024. Please note this application requires 2 parts:

1. Completion of the online submission form and

2. A copy of the complete proposal (as a PDF) submitted via email to kclaridge@mote.org

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

A Proposal Review Committee of individuals with broad and diverse backgrounds in coral reef research, education, conservation, and management will be organized to assist with grant application review. The Committee will be facilitated by Mote and charged with the review, evaluation, and ranking of each accepted proposal. Outside experts will also be consulted to review the proposals as may be necessary. The Committee will make recommendations to Mote's President & CEO for a final decision regarding which proposals should be selected and in what amounts.

Proposals must be related to Florida coral reef or coral reef ecosystem restoration:

•  Partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and other relevant Florida coral reef restoration organizations is also encouraged. Evidence of any identified partnerships/collaborations with these entities must be specifically detailed and documented with letters of commitment from the partnering/collaborating institution.

•  Projects should have clear deliverables that can be completed within one year of funding. Multi-year projects may be considered, but each subsequent year will compete for funding as a new proposal on an annual basis.

•  Research projects must have the potential for peer-reviewed published results.

•  Education proposals directly related to science-based restoration of coral reef ecosystems will be considered. Education projects are highly recommended to include Mote collaboration for efficiency and to avoid duplicative efforts. Education projects must have measurable outcomes.

•  Scientists that meet “Early Career” criteria should note that on their application.

•  Match is not required.

•  Funds may not be used in any way for lobbying as defined by the Internal Revenue Service or applicable Florida Statutes or for development activities by the applicants.

•  Core operations will not be funded.

•  Indicate if any required regulatory permits or other approvals have been acquired, applied for, or may be needed to accomplish the project.

•  Conservation and restoration projects that include volunteers or “citizen/community scientists” will only be considered if the participants are thoroughly trained and supervised by qualified individuals.

•  Requests for capital equipment such as vessels, buoys, and large nursery items will not be funded.

•  All publications and presentations resulting from POR funded projects must include a specific acknowledgement of the POR funding.

•  Copies of any resulting publications, even if published after the grant period, must be submitted to Mote Marine Laboratory. Publications can be emailed to library@mote.org.

Mote requires the submission of one electronic copy of the proposal in PDF format including:

Proposal Checklist

The Proposal Checklist is designed to help the proposers make certain that they have complied with all of the requirements of the RFP. The checklist is completed as part of the online submission form, but is available for reference on the Proposal Checklist page of this website.

 Cover Letter

Please include a Cover Letter (one page maximum) that:  

• briefly introduces the proposed project  and how it relates to the priority proposal topic

• answers the question of "Do you have a POR license plate?"

• states the amount of funding requested  

• establishes the applicant as a Florida based public agency, educational institution, or nonprofit entity  

• designates a contact person including contact information  

• is signed by the Project Leader

Project Description

The Project Description (three pages maximum) should describe: 

• critical research, educational, or conservation areas to be explored  

• project significance - how the proposed activities will enhance the restoration and/or sustainable use oversight capabilities of resource managers  

• objectives of the proposal  

• scope of work proposed  

• deliverables  

• deliverable timelines 

• roles and qualifications of all team members  

• scientific methods and procedures to be employed, if applicable 

Project Budget

The proposed Project Budget (one-page maximum) should describe in detail all proposed expenditures over the life of the project. Personnel expenditures in particular should be sufficiently documented to enable the Review Committee to determine whether the resources will be efficiently and cost-effectively utilized. The expenditures should include, but not necessarily be limited to:  

• salaries  

• fringe benefits  

• equipment  

• materials and supplies  

• travel  

• consultants and/or subcontractors  

• other direct costs  

• indirect or overhead costs - if indirect or overhead costs are proposed they should be no higher than the applicant’s reasonable, usual and customary rates. An explanation of the rates should also be included as well as the identification of the applicant’s cognizant agency, if applicable. 

Supplemental documents

Supplemental documents that may be included are: 

• references cited (one page maximum)

• CVs for each PI (2 page maximum per person)

• letters of support (one page maximum per letter)

• in-kind or matching funds commitment letter, signed (one page maximum)

Please note that all sections of the proposal must be combined into a single PDF and submitted via email to kclaridge@mote.org in addition to completing the online submission form. Please name your file using the following format:  PI's last name_Project Title   ie: "Smith_Researching coral sustainability in the southern Florida Keys"

Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria relevant to coral reef restoration research, education (and outreach), and conservation. This will include:

•  Rationale: how well the proposal addresses the project goals and objectives.

•  Merit: how well the project advances the state of coral reef restoration.

•  Feasibility: the ability of the project to be successfully completed within time and/or other constraints.

•  Deliverables: the tasks of the project have clearly obtainable deliverables that can be readily accomplished.

•  Qualifications: demonstrated ability of the Project Leader and/or team to integrate and complete the project successfully.

•  Budget: the proposed budget must be reasonable and adequate to complete the proposed project.

A detailed Interim Progress Report and a detailed Interim Financial Report will be due at the midpoint of the project year and no later than six months into the award period. A detailed Final Technical Report and a detailed Final Financial Report will be due at the end of the project and no later than twelve months into the award period. The acceptability of the reports will be at the sole discretion of Mote Marine Laboratory. The POR logo shall be prominently displayed on all reports.

In addition, all successful applicants will be required to make a formal presentation of their project and the results it achieved during the annual POR meeting  to members of the Grants Review Committee, other grant recipients, and interested members of the public. In addition to describing the project results achieved, the presentation should address how those results can be effectively utilized by resource managers. The presentation can be made virtually or in person. Acceptable virtual versions are:

• by either sending a pre-recorded presentation to hburleson@mote.org or 

• attending an online video call. 

We understand that No Cost Extensions are occasionally needed and will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. 

Failure to present your research in the desired timeframe will result in being ineligible for future POR grant funding.

Lastly, all successful applicants will be required to prominently display Protect Our Reefs license plate marketing materials when referencing any activities related to their funded POR projects. The POR logo and other Mote branding guidelines are available at https://mote.org/brandambassador.

Be sure to tag @protectourreefs in your Instagram stories and posts. If you have any questions regarding the @protectourreefs social media, please contact Haley Burleson at hburleson@mote.org

This checklist will help you make certain that you have fully complied with the requirements of the RFP.

 Cover Letter (1 page max)

•   Project Introduction

•  Amount Requested

•  Public Agency, Educational Institution, or Non-Profit Credentials

•  Do you have a POR license plate?

•  Agree to Terms & Conditions

•  Contact Person

•  Project Leader Signature

 Project Description (3 pages max)

•   Areas to be Explored

•  Project Significance

•  Proposal Objective (s)

•  Scope of Work

•  Proposed Deliverables

•  Deliverable Timelines

•  Team Roles and Qualifications

•  Scientific Methods, if applicable

 Project Budget (1 page max)

•   Salaries

•  Fringe Benefits

•  Equipment

•  Materials/Supplies

•  Travel

•  Consultants/Subcontractors

•  Other Direct Costs

•  Indirect/Overhead Costs

 Additional Consideration

•   Matching Funds

•  In Kind Donations

•  Partnerships or Teaming

The final payment schedule will be determined upon review of the proposals recommended for funding. In general, successful projects will receive 50% of the awarded funds upon contract execution, 25% upon approval of the Interim Report and the remaining 25% upon approval of the Final Report. Payments at each increment will be based on spending to date. 

Any questions about the Protect Our Reefs Grants Program should be directed to Kevin Claridge (kclaridge@mote.org) or Bryan Davis (bdavis@mote.org).