Climate Program Office (CPO) FY2026 Earth System Science and Services Partnership
🏛 DOC NOAA - ERA Production (DOC-DOCNOAAERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 12, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic and research institutions seeking to collaborate with NOAA on Earth system science projects. Eligible applicants must be doctoral-degree-granting universities, consortia of such universities, or nonprofit research institutions. Single-institution applications only—multi-institution collaborations are not allowed. Projects should address NOAA's mission areas: atmospheric science, oceanography, coastal studies, land systems, ice research, ecosystem impacts, weather prediction, hazards, and community resilience.
Research and development activities supported include data collection, monitoring, analysis, numerical modeling, service innovation, and stakeholder engagement.
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Program description
The Earth System Science and Services Partnership (ESSSP) supports research, programs, projects and other activities related to NOAA’s mission, primarily through collaborations among scientists and professionals in areas of mutual interest associated with understanding and predicting changes in the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, coasts, land, and ice and their interrelated effects on ecosystems, weather and hazards, and communities and infrastructure. Areas for collaborative efforts under this agreement include research and analysis; observations and monitoring; data impact evaluations; numerical modeling; and service development and stakeholder engagement.
Eligible applicants must be academic institutions of higher learning which offer doctoral degrees in NOAA-related sciences; consortia of academic institutions of higher learning which offer doctoral degrees in NOAA-related sciences; or non-profit research institutions. Multi-institution applications will not be accepted.
The total NOAA funding amount available for the ESSSP is anticipated to be approximately $10,000,000.
This announcement provides requirements and details for the technical program, evaluation criteria, and competitive selection procedures.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Curriculum vitae or biographical sketches of key personnel
- Institution/organization documentation (proof of nonprofit or accreditation status for consortia)
Program contact
- 👤 Laura Hansen GMS
- 📧 todd.christenson@noaa.gov
- 📞 240-653-9028
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 11.431 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$40,118,228
-
$36,440,915
-
$23,081,989
-
$14,839,219
-
$14,249,315
-
$13,124,530
-
$12,187,884
-
$12,005,901
-
$7,010,696
-
$6,179,983
Top States by Funding
- CO 34 awards $135.7M
- CA 17 awards $40.8M
- HI 4 awards $12.6M
- AK 4 awards $9.4M
- WA 8 awards $9.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 11.431). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $88,947,641 | |
| 2025 | $69,520,538 | |
| 2026 est. | $70,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for ESSSP funding?
Doctoral-degree-granting academic institutions, consortia of such institutions, or nonprofit research organizations may apply. Multi-institution applications are not eligible.
Are multi-institution collaborations allowed?
No. This program accepts single-institution applications only. Consortia of universities are eligible as single applicants.
What types of activities does ESSSP support?
Research, observations, monitoring, data analysis, numerical modeling, service development, and stakeholder engagement related to Earth systems and NOAA priorities.
What is the funding range for awards?
Individual awards range from $1 million to $10 million, with approximately $10 million total available from NOAA.
Is there a deadline and can I apply multiple times?
The deadline is October 26, 2026. Reapplication after rejection is typically allowed for federal programs, but verify with NOAA for this specific announcement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong research agenda directly aligned with NOAA's Earth system priorities and current scientific gaps. Show clear connections between your proposal and NOAA's mission.
- Emphasize your institution's doctoral research capacity and track record in NOAA-related sciences. Reviewers prioritize applicants with demonstrated expertise.
- Develop a realistic budget and timeline for 1–5 year projects. Include specific milestones, deliverables, and metrics for success.
- Plan for data sharing and stakeholder engagement early. NOAA values projects that improve services and decision-making for end users.
- Review NOAA's strategic plans and current priorities before writing. Proposals that address urgent national challenges (climate adaptation, hazard prediction) score higher.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting multi-institution applications when only single-institution applicants are eligible. Proposing research disconnected from NOAA's core mission areas and strategic priorities. Underestimating budget needs or lacking justification for personnel and equipment costs.
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