FY 2026 Ocean Technology Transition Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations developing ocean and Great Lakes observing technologies ready for operational transition. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, for-profits, higher education institutions, and state/local/tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign governments cannot be primary recipients but may partner. Projects must address coastal observing, data management, or product development challenges with demonstrated end-users committed to long-term use.
Previously funded OTT projects are ineligible. Technologies must be mature enough for operational deployment, not early-stage research. Projects should focus on system integration, testing, validation, and verification activities moving technologies from research toward operations.
All partners receiving funds must be engaged through subcontracts or similar mechanisms. NOAA offices may receive funds via internal transfer from the IOOS office.
This grant is for organizations developing ocean and Great Lakes observing technologies ready for operational transition. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, for-profits, higher education institutions, and state/local/tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign governments cannot be primary recipients but may partner. Projects must address coastal observing, data management, or product development challenges with demonstrated end-users committed to long-term use.
Previously funded OTT projects are ineligible. Technologies must be mature enough for operational deployment, not early-stage research. Projects should focus on system integration, testing, validation, and verification activities moving technologies from research toward operations.
All partners receiving funds must be engaged through subcontracts or similar mechanisms. NOAA offices may receive funds via internal transfer from the IOOS office.
Program description
Request for Applications Description: The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a national and regional partnership working to provide ocean, coastal and Great Lakes observations, data, tools, and forecasts to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect our environment. To increase observational and technical capabilities we need smart investments to innovate sensors, data management, decision support products, and other technical capabilities that will improve our ability to monitor and forecast environmental conditions with greater efficiency. The primary objective of IOOS’ Ocean Technology Transition Project (OTT) is to reduce the Research to Operations/Commercialization transition period for ocean observing, product development, and data management technologies for the ocean, coastal and Great Lakes. The term ‘Technologies’ includes: ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes sensors, information technology (data management, data visualization), platform enhancement, and technology modernization efforts.
This objective is accomplished by investing in the transition of emerging and promising marine and Great Lakes observing technological capabilities from the mid to latter phases of research into operational status. Earlier technical development is supported by programs such as the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators [https://ioos.noaa.gov/ioos-in-action/accelerators/].
The U.S. IOOS Office is seeking to fund projects, subject to the availability of funds, which advance new or existing technology-based solutions that address long standing and emerging coastal observing, product development, and data management challenges. The projects will be focused on those technologies for which there are demonstrated operators or customers who commit to integrated, long term use of those technologies and open data sharing. A Transition Manager for the project should be identified and a Transition Plan will be a Year One deliverable.
Funding will be targeted to technologies that are sufficiently mature for long term operations. This announcement specifically funds activities needed to progress these technologies through the transitional stages between research and full operations such as system integration, testing, validation, and verification. Funding will not be awarded to continue projects previously funded through the Ocean Technology Transition Program.
In FY 2026-2029, it is estimated that up to $7.5 million will be available from the U.S. IOOS Office for this competition. Multiple awards are anticipated, subject to availability of funds, in amounts up to $400,000 per year for up to three years. Proposals not funded in the current fiscal period (Fiscal Year 2026) may be considered for funding in the next fiscal period (Fiscal Year 2027) without NOAA repeating the competitive process outlined in this announcement.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for organizations developing ocean and Great Lakes observing technologies ready for operational transition. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, for-profits, higher education institutions, and state/local/tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign governments cannot be primary recipients but may partner. Projects must address coastal observing, data management, or product development challenges with demonstrated end-users committed to long-term use.
Previously funded OTT projects are ineligible. Technologies must be mature enough for operational deployment, not early-stage research. Projects should focus on system integration, testing, validation, and verification activities moving technologies from research toward operations.
All partners receiving funds must be engaged through subcontracts or similar mechanisms. NOAA offices may receive funds via internal transfer from the IOOS office.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (proposal description)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of Commitment from identified operators/end-users
- Transition Plan (Year One deliverable outline)
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Program contact
- 👤 Frederick L Isaac Grantor
- 📧 Jennifer.Hinden@noaa.gov
- 📞 30-628-1330
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 11.012 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$40,157,012
-
$27,706,552
-
$23,492,126
-
$21,642,191
-
$21,124,720
-
$20,890,957
-
$19,588,118
-
$19,282,711
-
$17,541,232
-
$17,344,045
Top States by Funding
- DE 7 awards $80.6M
- CA 12 awards $66.2M
- HI 6 awards $39.2M
- SC 8 awards $38.9M
- NH 10 awards $36.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 11.012). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $135,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $128,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $77,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, for-profits, higher education institutions, and state/local/tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign governments cannot be the primary recipient.
Can projects previously funded by the Ocean Technology Transition Program reapply?
No. Projects already funded through OTT are ineligible for this competition.
What types of technologies are funded?
Ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes sensors; data management and visualization; platform enhancement; and technology modernization. Projects must be moving from research toward operational status, not early-stage development.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong letters of commitment from identified end-users or operators planning long-term use. A clear transition plan and identified transition manager. Realistic timelines for system integration, testing, and validation activities.
What is the funding range and timeline?
Awards up to $400,000 per year for up to three years. Unfunded proposals from FY 2026 may be automatically considered in FY 2027 without resubmission.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Identify committed end-users or operators early and include strong letters documenting their long-term operational commitment. Your entire project depends on demonstrated demand.
- Develop a clear transition plan for Year One. Include a named Transition Manager and specific milestones for system integration, testing, and validation moving toward operational status.
- Focus your proposal on mid-to-late stage technologies ready for operations, not emerging research concepts. NOAA funds earlier stages through separate programs like Ocean Enterprise Accelerators.
- Emphasize open data sharing commitments and integration with existing IOOS infrastructure. Compatibility and interoperability strengthen competitiveness.
- Include realistic timelines and budget breakdowns for testing, validation, and verification activities. Reviewers want to see your path from R&D to operations clearly mapped.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications proposing early-stage research or technologies not ready for operational deployment are rejected. NOAA funds research transitions, not R&D.
Lack of documented end-user or operator commitment is a major weakness. Vague letters or no letters of support signal insufficient real-world demand.
Projects continuing work already funded under previous OTT awards are automatically ineligible. Check the funded projects list carefully.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- CLOSED Virginia’s Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Grant – FY26 — Virginia The Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- CLOSING SOON FY27 Housing Counseling & Education (HCE) — Virginia Housing Development Authority
- ROLLING Highly Rural Transportation FO FFY 2026 — North Dakota Veterans Affairs
- OPEN 2026 JAG/SCIP Innovation — Iowa Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy