Through this Inflation Reduction Act Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal States, Tribes, and Territories Competition (hereafter referred to as “Climate Ready Workforce Competition”), NOAA will advance the Federal Ocean Climate Action Plan, make equity central to its work, and support economic growth–all toward the agency’s mission of science, service, and stewardship. Specifically, funded efforts will prepare and place workers in good jobs that enhance climate resilience and will advance environmental justice.

For purposes of this opportunity, a coastal state follows the definition in 16 U.S.C. § 1453(4), and includes Great Lakes states and US territories; the District of Columbia is also eligible under this opportunity.

This competition is designed to meet the emerging and existing skills needs of employers focused on climate resilience, while helping workers enter good jobs that enhance climate resilience. NOAA expects the results from this opportunity to directly support the actions from the U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan, including, but not limited to:

• Promote coastal community resilience strategies that are adaptive, equitable, and based on best practices.
• Support transformational resilience investments in coastal habitat restoration, conservation and in coastal community resilience.
• Advance evaluation and adoption of nature-based solutions, such as living shorelines, to build resilience against climate-driven coastal hazards.
• Reduce climate threats and improve the resiliency of climate-vulnerable protected species, including marine mammals.