FY26 Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants - Fishery Management: eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)

The FY26 Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants - Fishery Management is a federal funding opportunity administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application once the next cycle opens.

Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the FY26 Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grants - Fishery Management, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Details from the notice: Eligible applicants are regional fishery management councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), nongovernmental organizations or research institutions that have demonstrated expertise in coral reef conservation or restoration and/or scientific research; designated coral reef research centers, U.S. states, territories, or local governments with authority over coral reefs; and Native entities with interests in a coral reef ecosystem. Applicant types on grants.gov (partial list): Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); State governments; County governments; City or township governments; Special district governments; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.

How to apply: step by step

1. Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
2. Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
3. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from the Grants.gov listing. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
4. Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
5. Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit once the next cycle opens. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
6. Confirm receipt. Keep the tracking number or confirmation email, and check back in 1-2 business days that your application passed the validation checks.

For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.

Grant details

Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.

If you are exploring business financing beyond grants, the team at CeoCult covers loans, lines of credit, and alternative funding for founders.

Frequently asked questions