NOAA IOOS Integrated Ocean Observing System Funding

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:10

NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System funding opportunities for ocean observation, data management, and marine monitoring technology.

Source: https://ioos.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities

Funding Details

Funder

NOAA U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program Office

Funding Goal

Support the development, operation, and enhancement of integrated ocean observing systems in the United States. Funded activities include ocean observation infrastructure, data management, marine biodiversity monitoring, harmful algal bloom detection, animal telemetry, HF radar networks, and ocean enterprise development for coastal and ocean management.

Funding Amount

Varies by Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Typical IOOS grants range from hundreds of thousands to several million USD per award, tied to specific observing system work programmes.

Deadline

Varies by announcement. Check Grants.gov for current active NOFOs. No single blanket deadline. (periodic)

How to Apply

Submit applications through Grants.gov. Applications must include Standard Form SF-424, Title Page, Project Summary, Project Description and Milestone Schedule, Data Management Plan, References, SF-424A budget forms, Budget Narrative, resumes, and Letters of Support. Check ioos.noaa.gov for current funding opportunities and specific NOFO details.

Target Region

United States and its coastal waters (Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of America, Great Lakes, Caribbean, Pacific Islands, Arctic)

Contact

IOOS Program Office: ioos.noaa.gov. eRA Service Desk: 866-504-9552. Michele Mazzocchetti (NOAA Grants Management): michele.mazzocchetti@noaa.gov

Last Checked

2026-03-15 12:53

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a U.S.-registered entity (research institution, university, NGO, or regional association)
• Register in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons before applying (4-6 weeks required)

Project Scope

• Project must align with IOOS ocean observing system mission and priorities

Required Documents

• Application includes SF-424, project description, data management plan, budget, and letters of support
• Submit via Grants.gov — check ioos.noaa.gov for current open NOFOs
• Data management plan required for all submissions

Constraints

• U.S.-only programme — international organisations are not eligible
• Progress reporting required per IOOS template (annual or as specified in award terms)

Summary

The NOAA U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Programme Office funds the development and operation of integrated ocean observation systems across the United States and its coastal regions. IOOS coordinates a national network of 11 Regional Associations covering Alaska, the Caribbean, Great Lakes, Gulf of America, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Pacific Islands, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Southern California, and Central/Northern California. The thematic scope includes ocean observing infrastructure (HF radar, underwater gliders, moored buoys), data management and cyberinfrastructure, marine biodiversity observation (MBON), animal telemetry networks (ATN), harmful algal bloom detection, coastal and ocean modelling, and ocean enterprise development. IOOS projects link observation data to societal applications including hazard forecasting, fisheries management, marine transportation safety, and coastal resilience. Eligible activities are those directly contributing to IOOS mission goals: maintaining and expanding observation networks, processing and managing observational data under FAIR principles, developing and validating oceanographic models, and translating ocean data into societal and commercial benefits. Research, education, and outreach projects aligned with IOOS strategic priorities are also eligible under broader NOAA funding mechanisms. Geographic scope is restricted to U.S. waters and coastal zones. IOOS funds observations across all U.S. coasts including Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of America, Caribbean, Great Lakes, and Arctic regions. International organisations are not eligible. Eligible applicants include IOOS Regional Associations, academic institutions, research institutes, and qualifying non-profit and government entities that are U.S.-registered. SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons registrations are mandatory prerequisites, taking four to six weeks to complete. Grant amounts vary by NOFO and programme area. Regional Association base funding, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) supplements, and Inflation Reduction Act awards are among the funding streams. Applicants should check Grants.gov regularly for specific open announcements.

Historical Context

NOAA IOOS was established by the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009. The IOOS programme manages 11 Regional Associations covering all U.S. coastal and ocean regions. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have provided additional IOOS funding streams since 2021. Progress Report Template was updated December 2025.

Sources

• https://ioos.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities

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