Climate Data Record Program Office for 2011 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Climate Data Record (CDR) Program Office 2011 grant opportunity?

It is a discretionary funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of Commerce, managed through NOAA, to support the development and long-term stewardship of Climate Data Records (CDRs). The focus is on producing climate-quality datasets derived from observations of the Earth system that are reliable, consistently processed, stable over time, and suitable for tracking and understanding climate variability and change.

What is NOAA trying to fund through this opportunity?

NOAA is looking for projects that can produce trustworthy, consistently processed climate datasets derived from Earth observations, with coverage across the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and the cryosphere (snow and ice). The program emphasizes both (1) producing the dataset and (2) establishing long-term stewardship so the record remains usable and credible over time.

What is a Climate Data Record (CDR) in practical terms?

In practical terms, a CDR is a consistently processed time series of measurements or derived variables from Earth observation systems, designed to be stable and reliable enough for long-term climate monitoring, including detection and assessment of climate variability and change.

What types of CDRs are referenced in the announcement?

The opportunity follows a National Research Council (2004) framework that distinguishes between Fundamental CDRs and Thematic CDRs.

What is a Fundamental CDR?

Fundamental CDRs generally refer to core geophysical variables derived from sensor measurements using methods that are transparent, consistent, and reproducible. The intent is to enable long-term monitoring by providing a stable record derived as directly and consistently as possible from observations.

What is a Thematic CDR?

Thematic CDRs are typically higher-level products tailored to specific scientific questions or applications. They are often built from one or more Fundamental CDRs and can be designed to support particular decision or analysis needs.

Which CDR types are prioritized in this 2011 competition?

The program is initially prioritizing Fundamental CDRs, plus Thematic CDRs that directly relate to major climate priorities: the Earth's water cycle, the Earth's energy cycle, and sea level.

Which climate topic areas are specifically highlighted as priorities?

The announcement highlights Thematic CDRs tied to three major climate priorities: the Earth's water cycle, the Earth's energy cycle, and sea level. It also notes Earth system coverage across the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and the cryosphere.

Is the program only about producing data, or also about maintaining it?

It is explicitly about both. The opportunity emphasizes development and long-term stewardship, suggesting proposals should address not just initial dataset production but also how the record will remain stable, trustworthy, and useful over time.

How important is end-user value in this opportunity?

End-user value is a major theme. NOAA is seeking CDRs that provide demonstrable benefits to end users and society. Competitive proposals would typically clarify who the users are, what decisions or analyses the CDR supports, and why the resulting record is more useful or more credible than existing datasets.

Who might be considered an "end user" for these CDRs?

The opportunity gives examples such as researchers, operational agencies, water managers, coastal planners, and decision-support communities. The key is showing that the dataset supports real analysis or decision needs beyond a single research team.

What broader goals is NOAA connecting this program to?

The program is framed as part of a broader, government-wide contribution intended to support national needs for climate change detection, understanding, assessment, adaptation, and mitigation. While NOAA manages the program, it is informed by other government agencies, and the resulting CDRs are intended to be broadly usable.

What kind of award instrument will be used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The opportunity states funding may be provided through grants or cooperative agreements. This indicates NOAA may have varying levels of involvement depending on the project, and cooperative agreements typically involve more federal collaboration during execution.

When was the opportunity posted and when are applications due?

It was posted on July 20, 2010. The application closing date is November 10, 2010. The archive date is December 10, 2010.

How many awards does NOAA expect to make and what is the total funding?

NOAA anticipated making about 15 awards with an estimated total program funding of $2,500,000.

What does the estimated funding level imply for applicants?

With about 15 anticipated awards and $2.5 million total funding, the average award size would be relatively modest. This suggests a competitive environment where clear scope, feasibility, stewardship plans, and demonstrated impact to end users may matter significantly.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes institutions of higher education; nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including commercial entities); international organizations; and state, local, and Indian tribal governments and agencies.

Are different applicant categories evaluated separately?

No. The notice states that applications from the different applicant categories will be competed against each other.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed in the provided information.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity and what does it indicate?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 11.440 (Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education). This aligns it with environmental data and related research and development activities.

What funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The funding activity category is described as Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development, consistent with generating climate-ready datasets that support science and applications.

Is this opportunity considered a contract or a procurement?

No. The notice clarifies that the announcement is not a procurement of goods or services. It is an assistance award opportunity (grant or cooperative agreement), not a contracting arrangement.

What is the note about the Economy Act and why does it matter?

The notice states that because the announcement is not a procurement of goods or services, the Economy Act is not an appropriate legal basis. This reinforces that awards are assistance instruments rather than a mechanism to purchase deliverables as a procurement contract would.

Is there any special legal requirement mentioned for non-NOAA applicants?

Yes. Before non-NOAA applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds from another agency in excess of their appropriation, with a specific exception for governmental research facilities under 49 U.S.C. 44720(b).

Where are the full technical requirements and submission instructions found?

The announcement directs applicants to use the "Full Opportunity" link for complete details. Those details would typically include technical requirements, evaluation criteria, required components of a CDR stewardship plan, data management expectations, and submission instructions.

Who should applicants contact if they have trouble downloading the announcement?

The listed contact for application download issues is Steve Drescher, Policy Advisor.