FY 2026 – 2028 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), National Ocean Service
🏛 DOC NOAA - ERA Production (DOC-DOCNOAAERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Nov 13, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research and ecosystem studies projects supporting NOAA's mission to protect oceans and marine resources. Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofits, tribes, state and local governments, and individuals. Commercial and international organizations may also apply. Federal agencies are not eligible unless special interagency agreements exist. CESU-specific projects are only open to member institutions of regional CESU programs across the United States.
Geographic scope covers the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories depending on project focus and CESU region. Applicants must align work with NOAA Line and Staff Office priorities.
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Program description
A description of NOAA Line and Staff Offices is found at https://www.noaa.gov/about/organization, and applicants may contact the Agency Contacts in Section VII. below for more information. If you submit the same application to more than one Line or Staff Office, mention this in your application and notify the relevant contacts in Section VII. so that NOAA may coordinate internally. This notice also solicits proposals that are part of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. CESU is a U.S. federal partnership network that connects agencies with universities, tribes, nonprofits, and other partners to address natural and cultural resource challenges. Each CESU is structured as a working collaborative with participation from numerous federal and nonfederal institutional partners. CESUs are based at host universities and focused on a particular biogeographic region of the country.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Work
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational/Institutional Certification
- Résumés or CVs of key project personnel
- Letters of Support from partners (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Nicola R Bell Grantor
- 📧 Julie.Whitaker@noaa.gov
- 📞 301-628-1328
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
-
$5,256,268
-
$4,989,874
-
$1,656,410
-
$1,399,874
-
$783,171
-
$753,831
-
$749,999
-
$683,220
-
$649,814
Top States by Funding
- DC 5 awards $10.4M
- CA 7 awards $6.8M
- CO 4 awards $2.1M
- WA 3 awards $1.9M
- NY 1 awards $1.4M
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
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, nonprofits, tribes, state/local governments, and individuals are eligible. CESU projects require membership in a regional CESU program. Federal agencies generally cannot apply.
What is CESU and why does it matter?
CESU is a federal partnership network connecting agencies with institutional partners on natural resource issues. CESU projects have stricter eligibility—only CESU member institutions can apply.
What types of projects are funded?
The BAA supports research and activities advancing NOAA's ocean, marine, and coastal priorities. Specific focus areas vary by NOAA Line or Staff Office.
Is there a deadline I need to know about?
This is a multi-year BAA (FY 2026–2028) with a fixed deadline of September 30, 2028. Applicants should confirm submission windows with NOAA program contacts.
Do I need cost-sharing or match funds?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant. However, applicants should discuss project budget directly with program officers.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the relevant NOAA Line or Staff Office early to clarify priorities and fit. This significantly improves competitiveness.
- If submitting to multiple NOAA offices, disclose this upfront to avoid duplication and enable internal coordination.
- For CESU projects, verify your organization's membership in the appropriate regional CESU before applying.
- Align your proposal with NOAA's strategic priorities in ocean science, coastal management, or marine resource protection.
- Demonstrate partnerships and collaborations. NOAA values multi-institutional and cross-sector approaches to environmental challenges.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting CESU applications without verifying institutional membership in the required regional CESU program. Failing to clarify which NOAA office will administer the award when pursuing multiple office submissions. Proposing work that misaligns with NOAA's core mission areas or that lacks demonstrated ecological or resource management relevance.
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