Climate Program Office FY 2026 - Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this NOAA funding opportunity?

This is a FY 2026 funding opportunity from the NOAA Climate Program Office (within NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research) through the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program. It supports regionally focused, place-based teams that connect climate and weather science with real-world planning and decision needs.

What is the main purpose of the RISA program in this solicitation?

The purpose is to help states, communities, and regional partners better understand, prepare for, and reduce risks from recurring and intensifying hazards. The program emphasizes climate-informed preparedness, risk management, and resilience decisions that go beyond short-term emergency response.

What kinds of hazards and impacts is NOAA trying to address through RISA teams?

The opportunity highlights hazards such as flooding, extreme heat, drought and water shortages, wildfires, and severe storms. These hazards are framed in terms of impacts on public health, housing, safety, local economies, and business continuity.

What type of funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This implies substantial NOAA involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant.

Is this opportunity considered discretionary funding?

Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The listing identifies the program under CFDA 11.431.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is NOAA OAR CPO 2026 33094.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date is 2026-05-05.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 2026-06-05.

How much funding is available per award?

The opportunity listing provides an award ceiling of $1,800,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, and state, local, territorial, and tribal governments.

How many regions does NOAA plan to fund RISA teams in for FY 2026?

For FY 2026, NOAA plans to solicit proposals for RISA teams in nine U.S. regions.

What does NOAA mean by "place-based" and "regionally focused"?

Based on the opportunity description, applicants are expected to tailor their work plan to a specific region, grounded in that region's climate risks and the real decision-making context of local and regional partners.

Are RISA awards intended to be short-term research projects?

No. RISA teams are expected to function as sustained science-to-decision partnerships rather than short-term research projects.

What does "science-to-decision partnership" mean in this opportunity?

In this solicitation, it refers to a team structure that links climate and weather research with engagement so the outputs feed directly into planning, operations, and resilience decisions by real-world users of climate information.

What is NOAA looking for in a competitive proposal?

Competitive proposals should: (1) integrate research and engagement activities into one cohesive work plan; (2) show strong knowledge of regional climate risks and local decision contexts; and (3) demonstrate credible partnerships with organizations that use climate information in planning and operations.

What kinds of partners does NOAA expect teams to work with?

The opportunity gives examples such as emergency managers, utilities, ports, city and regional planners, rural communities, regional councils, and small- and medium-sized businesses. The common theme is partners who will use climate information in planning and operational decisions.

What kinds of outputs are emphasized?

The emphasis is on actionable insights, tools, and processes that can be used in preparedness, risk management, and resilience decision-making, with a focus on longer-term, proactive planning.

How should research and engagement be organized in the proposed work?

NOAA is looking for research and engagement activities presented as a cohesive, integrated work plan tailored to a region, rather than separate or loosely connected activities.

Does the opportunity require stakeholder co-development?

The description strongly emphasizes an intentional strategy for co-developing knowledge with stakeholders, translating findings into usable formats, and sustaining relationships so the work can evolve as needs and risks change.

What does NOAA mean by "actionable" in this context?

In the context provided, "actionable" refers to insights, tools, or processes that can feed directly into planning and operational decisions related to preparedness, risk management, and resilience.

How should applicants address scaling or transferability?

Applicants should explain how successful approaches or products could be scaled within the region or adapted to other regions, in addition to describing benefits and outcomes for the target region.

What does the cooperative agreement imply for the relationship with NOAA?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, the listing indicates there will be substantial NOAA involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant.

What should applicants clearly explain in their proposals?

Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed research agenda and stakeholder partnerships will produce tangible outcomes for planning and decision-making in the selected region.