NOAA: FY2014 Marine Sensor and Advanced Observing Technologies Transition Project Grant

The U.S. IOOS Program and the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (Programs) are seeking to jointly fund projects, subject to the availability of funds, which advance new or existing marine sensors and other observing technologies that address long standing and emerging coastal observing challenges. The projects will be focused on those sensors and other observing technologies for which there are demonstrated operational end-users who commit to integrated, long term use of those technologies and open data sharing. Funding will be targeted to marine sensors and other observing technologies that are beyond their research phase, with specific emphasis on transition and life cycle costs, including data management, overall operations, and maintenance expenses.

The Programs are seeking Letters of Intent (LOIs) from prospective investigators relating how their project ideas align with either of two topic areas: 1) a very broad topic of marine sensor transitions, and 2) a narrower topic of ocean acidification observing technologies to better serve the ocean observing needs for impacted or potentially vulnerable industries or stakeholders (e.g., fisheries, coral reef conservation, state agencies, others). Applicants are invited to submit LOIs for either of these topic areas, which are described in detail below. Applicants should ensure that the topic area to which they apply is clearly identified and that all required information is presented such that merit reviewers can best evaluate the proposal.

In FY 2014, it is estimated that up to $8 million will be available from the U.S. IOOS Program along with up to $1 million from the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. Multiple awards are anticipated, subject to availability of funds, in amounts ranging from approximately $250,000 to $1 million per year for up to three years, with some exceptions for highly ranked proposals, subject to the availability of funds.

Investigators are highly encouraged to visit the U.S. IOOS and NOAA Ocean Acidification Program websites for more information about the Programs: www.ioos.noaa.gov and oceanacidification.noaa.gov.