Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2024 2008212
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Collaborative Science Program 2024 is a NOAA funding opportunity to select one organization to run a nationwide, five-year applied research program that supports collaborative science across the entire NERRS network. Rather than paying for a single research study, NOAA is looking for a capable program administrator that can design, manage, and oversee a comprehensive, competitive extramural research portfolio. The core idea is to fund and coordinate multiple collaborative projects that respond to system-wide NERRS research and management needs, while still staying aligned with local and regional priorities at individual reserves and with broader NOAA priorities.
A central feature of the program is that the funded science should be directly useful to coastal decision-makers and practitioners. NOAA emphasizes producing credible, relevant information for the coastal management community by building user input into the way research questions are selected, projects are designed, and results are delivered. In practice, this means the program is expected to support stakeholder-driven or co-produced science, where reserve staff, managers, educators, stewardship practitioners, and other end-users help shape what gets studied and how findings are translated into management applications.
The opportunity also aims to strengthen the overall capacity of the NERRS system to move science into practice. NOAA describes a goal of increasing the ability of NERRS sectors, including management, research, education, stewardship, and coastal training, to transfer information and skills to end-users. The expectation is that the program administrator will not only run funding competitions and manage awards, but also help ensure that project outcomes are communicated and adopted in ways that improve coastal and estuarine resource management.
This is an established program with a long track record. NOAA notes that a NERRS collaborative science program has existed for about fifteen years, and this competition represents the fourth time NOAA has competed the cooperative agreement for a five-year program. That context signals NOAA is seeking an administrator with strong experience in national-scale grantmaking, partnership management, and applied research translation, because the role is to operate an ongoing program infrastructure, not to conduct a short-term initiative.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial NOAA involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant. The total potential funding ceiling is $25,000,000, with NOAA expecting to make one award for the five-year period. The funding instrument and scale suggest the selected applicant will be responsible for building and maintaining the program framework, running competitive processes to select and fund collaborative science projects, coordinating review and governance processes, tracking performance, and ensuring the funded work meets NERRS and NOAA needs across multiple geographies and reserves.
Eligibility is intentionally broad but excludes federal entities as direct recipients. Eligible applicants include non-federal institutions of higher education, other nonprofit organizations, state governments, local governments, Indian Tribal governments, and commercial organizations. Federal agencies and federal employees cannot receive funds under this announcement, but they may participate as collaborators or partners. If federal agencies are involved as collaborators, the application is expected to clearly describe the planned level of federal engagement, such as serving in a review role or participating on priority task teams, working groups, or leadership structures.
NOAA also draws clear boundaries around the role of its own staff in the application process. NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) employees and contractors are not allowed to help prepare applications, and letters of support from OCM staff or contractors are not permitted and will not be considered in merit review. At the same time, OCM staff identified in the opportunity can provide general information to potential applicants about program goals and objectives, ongoing NERRS activities, and NOAA funding priorities, which is meant to help applicants align proposals without crossing into proposal-writing assistance.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are explicit priorities for this program. NOAA encourages applicants and awardees to incorporate diversity and inclusion principles in both proposal development and program implementation. The opportunity highlights NOAA and Department of Commerce interest in broadening participation in the climate and coastal research community, including encouraging applications that involve historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions working in underserved areas. The overall message is that the program administrator should be prepared to build an inclusive national program, including outreach, partnership strategies, and processes that expand participation and strengthen the vitality of the research and practitioner communities connected to NERRS.
Administratively, the lead applicant carries responsibility for ensuring that all awarded funds, including any passed through to sub-awardees, are used in ways that are consistent with the program purpose and requirements. This underscores that the selected organization will function as the primary steward of federal funds for a network of collaborative projects and partners, with accountability for compliance, project oversight, and alignment with intended outcomes.
Key public listing details include the funding opportunity title "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Collaborative Science Program 2024," opportunity number NOAA NOS OCM 2024 2008212, agency Department of Commerce (NOAA), CFDA 11.419, discretionary opportunity category, and an original application closing date of February 9, 2024. The activity focus is environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development, with the primary deliverable being the effective administration of a national collaborative science program for the NERRS system rather than direct support for a single local research effort.Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2024 2008212
- The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Collaborative Science Program 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.419.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NERRS Collaborative Science Program 2024?
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Collaborative Science Program 2024 is a NOAA funding opportunity to select one organization to run a nationwide, five-year applied research program that supports collaborative science across the entire NERRS network. The emphasis is on building and operating a program that funds and coordinates multiple projects, not on carrying out a single research study.
Who is offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), specifically connected to NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (OCM) and the NERRS network.
Is this grant meant to fund a single research project?
No. NOAA is not looking to fund one standalone research study. NOAA is seeking a capable program administrator to design, manage, and oversee a comprehensive, competitive extramural research portfolio made up of multiple collaborative science projects.
What is NOAA looking for in an applicant?
NOAA is looking for one organization that can serve as a national-scale program administrator. Based on the description, the role includes building and maintaining program infrastructure, running competitive funding processes, coordinating governance and review, tracking performance, and ensuring that funded projects meet NERRS system-wide needs while aligning with reserve-level and NOAA priorities.
How long is the program period?
The program is intended to run for five years.
How many awards does NOAA expect to make?
NOAA expects to make one award for the five-year period.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The total potential funding ceiling for the opportunity is $25,000,000.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial NOAA involvement during implementation compared with a standard grant.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply for this opportunity?
As described, the cooperative agreement structure signals that NOAA is likely to be more involved during implementation than it would be under a typical grant. The selected organization is still expected to operate the program, but NOAA involvement is anticipated as part of carrying out the program over the five-year period.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The central purpose is to support collaborative science across the entire NERRS network by funding and coordinating multiple applied research projects that respond to system-wide research and management needs, while staying aligned with local and regional priorities at individual reserves and with broader NOAA priorities.
Who is the intended audience or end-user for the funded science?
NOAA emphasizes that the funded science should be directly useful to coastal decision-makers and practitioners. The program is expected to produce credible, relevant information for the coastal management community.
What does NOAA mean by stakeholder-driven or co-produced science?
In this opportunity, stakeholder-driven or co-produced science means that reserve staff, managers, educators, stewardship practitioners, and other end-users help shape the research questions, influence project design, and guide how results are delivered and translated into management applications.
How is this opportunity connected to the NERRS network?
The program is designed to operate across the entire NERRS system. It is intended to coordinate collaborative projects that address system-wide NERRS research and management needs, while still reflecting priorities at individual reserves and regions.
What outcomes does NOAA want beyond funding research?
NOAA also aims to strengthen the overall capacity of the NERRS system to move science into practice. This includes increasing the ability of NERRS sectors (management, research, education, stewardship, and coastal training) to transfer information and skills to end-users so that research results are communicated and adopted in ways that improve coastal and estuarine resource management.
What kinds of activities is the selected organization expected to perform?
The selected organization is expected to design and run a comprehensive extramural research portfolio, conduct funding competitions, manage awards, coordinate review and governance processes, track performance, and ensure that project outcomes are communicated and adopted in ways that support NERRS and NOAA priorities.
Is this a new program?
No. NOAA indicates the NERRS collaborative science program has existed for about fifteen years. This competition is described as the fourth time NOAA has competed the cooperative agreement for a five-year program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad but excludes federal entities as direct recipients. Eligible applicants include non-federal institutions of higher education, other nonprofit organizations, state governments, local governments, Indian Tribal governments, and commercial organizations.
Are federal agencies eligible to receive funds as the primary recipient?
No. Federal agencies and federal employees cannot receive funds under this announcement as direct recipients.
Can federal agencies or federal employees participate in the program in any way?
Yes. Federal agencies may participate as collaborators or partners. If federal agencies are involved as collaborators, the application is expected to clearly describe the planned level of federal engagement (for example, serving in a review role or participating on priority task teams, working groups, or leadership structures).
Can NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) staff help write or prepare an application?
No. NOAA states that OCM employees and contractors are not allowed to help prepare applications.
Are letters of support from NOAA OCM staff or contractors allowed?
No. Letters of support from OCM staff or contractors are not permitted and will not be considered in merit review.
Is there any way NOAA OCM staff can assist potential applicants?
Yes, within limits. OCM staff identified in the opportunity can provide general information about program goals and objectives, ongoing NERRS activities, and NOAA funding priorities. This is intended to help applicants align proposals without crossing into application preparation or proposal-writing support.
What does NOAA say about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in this program?
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are explicit priorities. NOAA encourages applicants and awardees to incorporate diversity and inclusion principles in both proposal development and program implementation, including outreach and partnership strategies that broaden participation in climate and coastal research and practice.
Does NOAA highlight any specific institution types or communities for broadening participation?
Yes. The opportunity notes interest in broadening participation by encouraging involvement of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions working in underserved areas.
What compliance or stewardship responsibilities does the lead applicant have?
The lead applicant is responsible for ensuring that all awarded funds, including any funding passed through to sub-awardees, are used in ways consistent with the program purpose and requirements. This underscores accountability for compliance, oversight, and alignment with intended outcomes across a network of projects and partners.
What is the official opportunity title?
The official title is "National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Collaborative Science Program 2024."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCM 2024 2008212.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 11.419.
What is the opportunity category?
The listing describes it as a discretionary opportunity category.
What is the activity focus area for this funding?
The activity focus includes environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development, with the primary deliverable being effective administration of a national collaborative science program for the NERRS system.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is February 9, 2024.
What is the primary deliverable NOAA expects from the award?
The primary deliverable is the effective administration of a national collaborative science program for the NERRS system, including the ability to coordinate and manage a competitive extramural research portfolio that produces usable results for coastal management and estuarine resource decision-making.
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