Deadline: 24-May-22
The Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce is offering Funding Opportunity for 2022 Ocean Exploration to conduct or support ocean exploration of poorly understood regions of U.S. waters.
NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the deep ocean, closing prominent gaps in the basic understanding of U.S. deep waters and the seafloor and delivering the ocean information needed to strengthen the economy, health, and security of the nation.
Themes
NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals focused on any one of the following three themes:
- Ocean Exploration and Discovery: Proposals should be in support of the NOAA ocean exploration mission to explore unknown or poorly known ocean areas, processes, and resources in waters deeper than 200 meters. NOAA Ocean Exploration is particularly interested in exploration for, and discovery of, microorganisms, sponges, corals, and other organisms in waters deeper than 200 meters that may have biopharmaceutical or biotechnological potential.
- Martime Heritage: Proposals should address exploration and discovery of significant maritime heritage resources that improve historical knowledge and inform decisions concerning preservation, management, and potential seafloor use. Maritime heritage projects can be conducted in any water depth. Data products must benefit other academic and resource management disciplines. The use of autonomous and other innovative technologies is a NOAA Ocean Exploration priority.
- Technology: Proposals should feature application of new or novel use of existing ocean technologies or innovative methods that could increase the scope and efficiency of acquiring ocean exploration data and expanding its availability and use. They must be focused on the development and testing of innovative sensors and systems that could increase the capabilities of autonomous or remotely operated seagoing systems.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $750,000
- Award Floor: $75,000
- NOAA Ocean Exploration will accept proposals for projects that are one or two years in duration. The anticipated award start date is September 1, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants represent U.S.-based institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations; U.S. territory, state, local, and tribal governments and federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work; and for-profit organizations.
- NOTE: Before proposals from federal agencies other than NOAA can be funded, applicants must affirm that their agency has legal authority to receive funds from another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this notice is not proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act does not provide this authority.
- NOAA Ocean Exploration participates in the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) to facilitate partnerships between federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations to advance ocean science research and education.
- The NOPP agencies coordinate through the NOPP Interagency Working Group (IWG), which is a working group of the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338956
