Request for Proposals: Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI)

August 23rd, 2024

New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) in conjunction with The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, has released a Request for Proposals (RFP). This research-grant based RFP, funded through the state’s Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI), promotes regional research and monitoring efforts to assess the impacts of offshore wind development on coastal and marine resources during the pre-construction, construction, operation, and decommissioning phases. Please see the full Request for Proposal here.

The goal of this funding is to execute a robust Research and Monitoring Initiative to support the responsible implementation of offshore wind energy in the waters off New Jersey’s coastline. The Initiative employs the best available science and is consistent with mandates to protect and responsibly manage New Jersey’s marine and coastal resources.With this solicitation, the RMI seeks to award funding for projects in the following focus areas:

  • Non-extractive methods for surveying wildlife and habitat ($500,000)
  • Technological innovations in data collection, analysis, and management ($500,000)
  • Fishery sustainability and socioeconomic impacts of offshore wind activities ($750,000)
  • Identifying and reducing offshore wind noise impacts on marine wildlife ($750,000)
  • Characterization of benthic ecosystems and primary productivity ($1,000,000)
  • Assessing bird and bat abundance, migration patterns, and risk exposure associated with offshore wind ($500,000)
  • Proposals that address other high priority research needs identified by the RMI. These high priority research needs include projects on data management, environmental change, benthic systems, birds, bats, fish and invertebrates, sea turtles, marine mammals, and fisheries ($750,000)

Applicants should contact New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium by August 28, 2024 by 5pm EST with their intention to submit a proposal by sending a Letter of Intent to Julie Lang at  jlang@njseagrant.org. For Principle Investigators with an approved Letter of Intent, the proposal deadline has been extended to October 22 by 5PM. Please contact Dr. Peter Rowe at prowe@njseagrant.org with any questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can organizations / institutions / agencies outside of New Jersey apply for these funds?
Yes, entities outside of New Jersey are allowed to apply for these funds. However, proposed work should be within New Jersey addressing New Jersey’s priorities, and finding suitable New Jersey partners. The project team does not need to include someone as co-PI from NJ but PI team should have partners that they will work with from NJ or have a presence in NJ. For example any support (letter of support in full proposal) from a state agency or organization (e.g., TNC) that operates there or associations with NJ interests (e.g., ECSGA, GSSA, JCAA), or industry (e.g., Lund’s Fishery).
May interested entities submit more than one Letter of Intent?
Yes, an entity submitting a Letter of Intent can submit more than one.
Are entities already being funded by NJDEP RMI allowed to submit a Letter of Intent and Proposal?
Yes, currently or previously funded entities through RMI are allowed to submit a Letter of Intent.
Are you looking to fund more than one project per focus area or should budgets match the available funding for that focus area?
DEP RMI is interested in funding one project from each focus area at the suggested cap. So please match your budget cap to that focus area.