FY 2024 – 2026 – Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Office of Education
🏛 DOC NOAA - ERA Production (DOC-DOCNOAAERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking funding to support NOAA education and research initiatives related to ocean, coastal, and atmospheric sciences. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public institutions, educational organizations, research centers, and higher education institutions. Projects must align with NOAA's mission to understand and predict changes in Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources. The program emphasizes education, workforce development, and research in areas such as ocean literacy, climate science, marine biology, and environmental stewardship. While primarily focused on U.S.-based organizations, projects should demonstrate national or regional significance and capacity to conduct the proposed work.
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Program description
This notice is not a mechanism to fund existing NOAA awards. The purpose of this notice is to request applications for special projects and programs associated with NOAA’s strategic plan and mission goals, as well as to provide the general public with information and guidelines on how NOAA will select applications and administer discretionary Federal assistance under this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Each NOAA Line or Staff Office that supports financial assistance (National Marine Fisheries Service, National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, Office of Atmospheric Research, Office of Education, and National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service) has a separate BAA found in Grants.gov, so applicants should submit their application to the BAA for the Line Office that best fits their application. A description of NOAA Line Offices is found at https://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/public/lineoffices.html and https://www.noaa.gov/office-education, and applicants may contact the Agency Contacts in Section VII. below for more information. If you submit the same application to more than Line Office, mention this in your application and notify the relevant contacts in Section VII. so that NOAA may coordinate internally.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 Federal Application for Grants and Cooperative Agreements (or SF-424 (R&R) if using Grants.gov)
- Project narrative/proposal (typical maximum 15-25 pages, following BAA instructions)
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (resumes of key personnel, organizational chart, prior grant experience)
- Letters of support or commitment from partners (if applicable)
- Evaluation plan describing measurable outcomes and reporting methods
- DUNS number and SAM.gov registration verification
Program contact
- 👤 Maria Aguiniga Grantor
- 📞 301-628-1384
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 11.015 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$10,000,000
-
$5,067,768
-
$4,042,791
-
$1,656,410
-
$1,399,874
-
$753,831
-
$749,999
-
$683,220
-
$573,234
-
$480,000
Top States by Funding
- DC 4 awards $10.4M
- CA 4 awards $4.7M
- WA 3 awards $1.9M
- NY 1 awards $1.4M
- CO 2 awards $1.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 11.015). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $5,310,000 | |
| 2025 | $4,630,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $4,861,500 |
FAQ
What types of organizations are eligible for this BAA?
Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, colleges, research institutions, and some government agencies. Check the full BAA announcement for your specific organization type.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, this BAA has a fixed deadline of September 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on that date.
What activities are funded under this program?
Funding supports education initiatives, research projects, and workforce development related to NOAA's mission including ocean sciences, climate science, marine resource management, and environmental education.
How competitive is this funding?
BAAs typically attract significant competition. Success requires a clear project plan, demonstrated organizational capacity, alignment with NOAA priorities, and strong evaluation methods.
What is the typical funding range?
NOAA education grants typically range from $50,000 to $500,000+ depending on project scope and duration, though awards can vary significantly by competition and year.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Thoroughly review the full BAA announcement on grants.gov to identify specific technical areas and priorities NOAA is emphasizing this cycle; alignment with agency priorities is critical for competitiveness.
- Clearly articulate how your project advances NOAA's education mission and contributes to national or regional goals in ocean literacy, climate science, or marine resource management.
- Develop a robust evaluation plan with measurable outcomes and metrics; agencies look for demonstrated capacity to track and report on program results.
- Consider building partnerships with schools, research institutions, or community organizations to strengthen your application and expand your reach and credibility.
- Budget conservatively and justify all costs clearly; include indirect costs as allowed and ensure your budget narrative aligns with your project timeline and deliverables.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often fail to demonstrate clear alignment with specific NOAA priorities outlined in the BAA, resulting in applications that feel generic rather than responsive. Many organizations underestimate the level of detail required in project narratives and evaluation plans, particularly regarding how they will measure and communicate impact. Additionally, poorly justified budgets or failure to address organizational capacity to manage the grant can result in rejection despite strong project concepts.
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