FY 2016 Joint Technology Transfer Initiative | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is the FY 2016 Joint Technology Transfer Initiative.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NOAA OAR OWAQ 2016 2004824.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Which NOAA offices are sponsoring or administering the program?

The opportunity is under NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), specifically its Office of Weather and Air Quality (OWAQ), and it is being run through the U.S. Weather Research Program (USWRP).

What is the main purpose of the Joint Technology Transfer Initiative?

The purpose is to support applied research and development projects that move promising weather and water prediction capabilities closer to operational use, with a strong emphasis on technology transfer (turning research advances into tools, methods, or guidance that can be adopted in forecasting and decision-support environments).

What does "technology transfer" mean in the context of this program?

In this context, technology transfer means translating research成果 into practical outputs such as tools, methods, and guidance that can be demonstrated, integrated, and adopted by operational forecasting and decision-support settings, rather than stopping at research findings alone.

What technical areas does the program focus on?

The scope centers on two closely related priorities: (1) advancing storm-scale modeling and (2) improving Integrated Water Prediction.

What is meant by "storm-scale modeling" here?

Storm-scale modeling refers to high-resolution numerical weather prediction aimed at better representing severe thunderstorms and convective processes, including convective initiation, storm evolution, and hazards such as hail, damaging winds, tornado potential, and intense rainfall.

What is meant by "Integrated Water Prediction" in this announcement?

Integrated Water Prediction refers to improving end-to-end prediction of the water cycle, covering precipitation through hydrologic response and impacts, including runoff, streamflow, flooding potential, and related water-resource effects.

Is this opportunity intended for basic research or near-term applications?

The opportunity emphasizes near-term progress and practical transition. It is framed around short-duration applied R&D with clear milestones and deliverables and a credible path to demonstration, integration, or transition, rather than purely exploratory research.

What is the expected project period or timeline?

The announcement emphasizes near-term progress over a 1 to 2 year period (approximately 12 to 24 months).

What type of award does NOAA expect to make?

Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements.

What does it mean that the award is a "cooperative agreement"?

A cooperative agreement typically involves a higher level of NOAA involvement than a standard grant. Based on the description, this may include substantial collaboration, coordination, and iterative engagement with NOAA staff or programs as the work progresses, especially to mature tools or methods for broader use.

How much funding is available per award?

The published award ceiling is up to $300,000 per award.

How many awards does NOAA anticipate making?

NOAA anticipated making around 10 awards.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 11.459.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized within environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This typically indicates eligibility may extend beyond traditional university applicants and could include organizations such as non-profits, private sector entities, federally funded research and development centers, or other organizations depending on the specific notice language.

When was the opportunity posted?

The announcement was posted on February 19, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was April 29, 2016.

What kinds of project outputs is NOAA looking for?

The description emphasizes practical, transferable outcomes such as tools, methods, or guidance that can be adopted in forecasting and decision-support environments, supported by clear milestones and deliverables over a 1 to 2 year timeline.

What hazards and impacts are explicitly connected to the storm-scale priority?

The storm-scale modeling priority is tied to improving representation of severe thunderstorm behavior and related hazards, including hail, damaging winds, tornado potential, and intense rainfall.

What parts of the water cycle are explicitly called out under Integrated Water Prediction?

The description calls out precipitation, hydrologic response, runoff, streamflow, flooding potential, and related water-resource impacts as components of the end-to-end prediction challenge.

What is the overarching goal of the initiative?

The overall goal is to accelerate practical advances in weather and water prediction by funding short-duration R&D projects that strengthen storm-scale forecast capability and integrated hydrometeorological prediction, with explicit intent to bridge research成果 into usable outcomes within 12 to 24 months.