Coral Reef Restoration for Risk Reduction (CR4): A Guide to Project Design and Proposal Development

This Guide aims to provide potential project proponents from organizations to agencies an understanding of the key steps needed and critical information sources available to support CR4 proposals. This document guides potential applicants through the project conception, design, and implementation phases of a CR4 project. The Guide covers vital elements, including project scoping, identification of the project team, selection of site(s), benefit-cost analysis, identification of regulatory requirements, and potential funding opportunities.

Applications for federal assistance will usually need to be led and submitted by a local, state, territorial, or commonwealth agency. However, many stakeholders and project proponents can be involved in developing the project proposal and funding application. Further, the approaches outlined in this Guide can support many other nature-based projects and proposals beyond reef restoration for federal hazard mitigation funding.