NOTICE OF: Mote Marine Laboratory “Protect Our Reefs”
2007 License Plate Grant Funding Availability- Request For Proposals
GRANT TITLE/LINK

Protect Our Reefs
http://www.mote.org/4reef
FUNDING SOURCE
and LINK
WHO CAN APPLY?

Mote Marine Laboratory – Protect Our Reefs- License Plate
http://www.mote.org/4reef
Eligible organizations shall be based in Florida and engaged in reef research, education and/or
conservation. Applicants must be a public agency, educational institution or a non-profit
entity as designated by the IRS. Reef program areas are:



Research
Education
Conservation
PROGRAM DESIGN
 Proceeds from the “Protect Our Reefs” specialty license plate will be available through
grants, to support research, education (and outreach) and conservation of the Florida Coral Reef
Ecosystem.
HOW CAN THE
GRANT MONEY BE
USED?
 Eligible organizations will utilize these funds to support projects related to research,
education (and outreach) and/or conservation of the Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem. Priorities of
science research, education and conservation are similar to those outlined by the: Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary Science Plan, the NOAA-Coral Reef Conservation Program, the
Water Quality Protection Program, and the National Undersea Research Program descriptions of
coral reef research priorities, and other existing coral reef program priorities.
FUND AVAILABILITY
and AWARDS
 Approximately $450,000 will be available from 2007 license plate receipts
 The program has no predetermined grant amount by category, geography or type of project.
Typical awards in past years have ranged from $5-40K.
 All proposals will be reviewed by the Grants Advisory Committee, which will set priorities
and make recommendations for awards to the President of Mote Marine Laboratory.
MATCH/LEVERAGE
REQUIREMENT
 None required, but matching or leveraging of additional funds is encouraged. In addition,
partnerships with established organizations based in FL with interests in coral reefs (e.g.; Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary; Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida-based
universities, Mote Marine Laboratory) are strongly encouraged.
KEY DATES




RFP posted: October 4, 2007.
Proposals due: December 14, 2007.
Notifications: Feb 29, 2008.
Grants Awarded: Mar 17, 2008.
OTHER GRANT INFORMATION: On the website at:
www.mote.org/4reef
All questions should be directed to Rusty Holmes, Mote Grants Specialist (research@mote.org; 941-388-4441; x-479)
Protect Our Reefs Grant Program
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October 4, 2007 RFP
FLORIDA “PROTECT OUR REEFS” GRANTS PROGRAM
FUNDING FOR RESEARCH – EDUCATION – CONSERVATION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
October 4, 2007
(Please note: this RFP is revised from previous years)
Background
There is tremendous concern for the health of Florida’s coral reefs throughout their entire range.
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 contribute significantly to the State’s economy. In the Florida Keys alone, tourism
generates over $1.2 billion annually with coral reefs being the primary attraction. Yet, funding to
help preserve the reefs is extremely limited. In order to supplement traditional funding sources,
Mote Marine Laboratory successfully introduced the “Protect Our Reefs” specialty license plate
in 2003. Since its launch, this attractive plate has been well received by the citizens of Florida. A
significant proportion of the proceeds from the sale of these plates is made available annually
through a competitive grants program to support research, education/outreach, and conservation
efforts that directly address the preservation of Florida’s coral reefs.
Program Scope
Protect Our Reefs (POR) grant funding will primarily be directed towards research, education,
and conservation efforts that address the major reef tract that extends from Miami to the Dry
Tortugas. However, all proposals focused on coral reefs throughout the State of Florida will be
considered.
The POR Grants Program encompasses all elements of the coral reef ecosystem and is not
limited to stony corals; i.e.
-
Coral Reef: Reefs or shoals composed primarily of corals
Coral Reef Ecosystem: Corals and other species and communities of reef organisms
(including reef plants) associated with coral reefs and the environmental factors that
directly affect coral reefs (that together function as an ecological unit in nature).
Eligibility
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.
Fund Availability
Current fund availability for awards to be made in March 2008 total approximately $450,000.
There are no prescribed limits on grant size or allocations between types of projects; typical
awards in past years have ranged from $5-40K. Applicants may request multi-year funding for
up to three years. Future funding levels will depend on continuing license plate sales and
availability of residual funds from previous cycles.
Protect Our Reefs Grant Program
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October 4, 2007 RFP
Deadlines
In order to be considered, proposals must be submitted as single PDF files to the following
address by 5:00 P.M. (ET) on December 14, 2007: research@mote.org Please include the words
“POR Proposal” in the subject line of the e-mail. Award notification is projected for Feb 29,
2008 and funds will be available as early as March 17, 2008.
Proposal Content
Checklist: The first page of the proposal (template attached) designed to help the proposors
make certain that they have complied with all of the requirements of the RFP.
Cover Letter (1 p max): Briefly introduce the proposed project, state the amount of funding
requested, describe the applicant’s status as a Florida-based organization, supply contact
information for the Project Leader plus one grant administration person, and include signature of
the Project Leader.
Project Description (8 pp max): The project description should describe the critical research,
educational or conservation areas to be explored. The description should also include the
objectives of the proposal, the scope of work proposed, the goals to be achieved, and the
proposed deliverables and deliverable timelines. The significance of the project to the overall
goal of preserving Florida’s reefs should be addressed. If applicable, the description should also
include a detailed discussion of the scientific methods and procedures to be employed. Finally,
the roles and qualifications of each team member should be described briefly.
Budget and Justification (2 pp max): Describe all proposed expenditures over the life of the
project. The expenditures may include, but not necessarily be limited to: salaries; fringe benefits;
equipment; materials and supplies; travel; consultants and/or subcontractors; other direct costs;
and 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. Please note that program 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 applicant.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria and Review Process
Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria relevant to research, education/outreach, and
conservation. These will include: Rationale - how well the proposal addresses the project goals
and objectives; Merit - how well the project advances the state of reef research, education, or
conservation: Feasibility - ability of the project to be successfully completed within time and/or
other constraints; Qualifications - demonstrated ability of the Project Leader and/or team to
integrate and complete the project successfully; Budget - is the proposed budget reasonable and
adequate to complete the proposed project. While not required, additional consideration will be
accorded to proposals that leverage POR funding with matching funds or the donation of in-kind
services. Additional consideration will also be accorded to proposals that effectively utilize
partnerships or teaming with state universities, Mote Marine Laboratory, the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission or other established FLbased organizations with expertise in coral reef research, education, and conservation.
Mote Marine Laboratory has been authorized by the state of FL to administer funds collected
from Reef Plate sales. The final decision as to which proposals will be funded and under what
conditions will be made by Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Mote. Dr. Mahadevan will assemble a Grants Advisory Committee of eight individuals with
Protect Our Reefs Grant Program
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October 4, 2007 RFP
broad and diverse backgrounds in coral reef research, education, conservation and management.
This Committee will evaluate and rank each of the proposals submitted. Outside experts will be
consulted to peer review the proposals as necessary. The Committee will make a
recommendation to Dr. Mahadevan as to which proposals should be selected. The successful
applicants will be notified by e-mail on February 29, 2008.
Reporting Requirements
A brief Interim Progress and Financial Report will be due no later than October 1, 2008. A more
detailed Final Technical and Financial Report will be due sixty days after contract termination.
Report templates will be made available to all grant recipients. For successful multi-year
projects, Interim Reports will be required at six-month intervals with a Final Report due at the
conclusion of the project. The acceptability of the reports will be at the sole discretion of Mote
Marine Laboratory.
All successful applicants will be required to make a brief formal presentation in Key West, FL in
February 2009 (precise date and location to be specified). The general public will be invited and
the Grants Advisory Committee will be in attendance. The Committee may draw from the public
presentations and interim reports to base future award recommendations.
All grant recipients are required to acknowledge the POR Grants Program in all publications,
posters, and other products resulting from POR support. Wherever possible, we ask that
recipients prominently display the “Protect Our Reefs” license plate logo on their products and if
possible, their web sites, to promote this program. Computer-ready marketing materials can be
obtained from Melissa Sparks of the Mote Communications Department in Sarasota
(melissa@mote.org; 941-388-4441; x-446).
Payment schedule
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.
Questions
Any questions about the Protect Our Reefs Grants Program should be directed to Ms. Rusty
Holmes (research@mote.org; 941-388-4441; x-479).
Protect Our Reefs Grant Program
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October 4, 2007 RFP
Protect Our Reefs Grants Proposal Checklist
October 4, 2007
Please complete this form and check the appropriate boxes to help you make certain that you have
fully complied with the requirements of the RFP. Sign and return the form with your proposal.

Cover Letter (1 p)

Project Introduction

Amount Requested

Non-Profit Credentials

Contact info for Project Leader

Contact info for Grant Administrator

Project Leader Signature

Project Description (8 pp)

Proposal Objectives

Scope of Work

Goals to be Achieved

Proposed Deliverables

Deliverable Timelines

Project Significance

Scientific Methods, if applicable

Team Roles and Qualifications

Budget and Justification (2 pp)

Salaries

Fringe Benefits

Equipment

Materials/Supplies

Travel

Consultants/Subcontractors

Other Direct Costs

Indirect/Overhead Costs

Additional Considerations

Matching Funds

In Kind Donations

Partnerships or Teaming
Proposal Title:__________________________________________
Lead Agency:___________________________________________
Project Leader
Signature:______________________________________________
Date:___________________