Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390
Apply for NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390
- The Department of Commerce in the education environment science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Ocean Sciences Competition for High School Students" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.008 NOAA Mission Related Education Awards.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 20, 2015 and posted on Feb 20, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 21, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Special district governments County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Ocean Sciences Competition for High School Students grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390) is a NOAA education funding announcement from the Department of Commerce designed to spark interest in ocean sciences among high school students across the United States and its territories. The central aim is to build excitement about ocean and related STEM fields while also making career pathways in those fields more visible and attainable for students. The effort is meant to be more than a single event; it is structured as a multi-year program that combines a nationwide academic competition with expanded learning and mentoring activities tied to real-world ocean science.
Funded projects are expected to run for three to five years and align with at least one goal from NOAA's Education Strategic Plan. The program is built around a tiered competition model, meaning students would participate in regional-level events that lead to a national-level event. NOAA anticipates the competition structure could involve roughly 2,000 students per year. At the same time, the opportunity emphasizes that the competition should not be the only learning component. Applicants are expected to add enrichment experiences that deepen learning for student participants as well as their peers and teachers, such as internships, field experiences, laboratory or research experiences, and other structured opportunities that connect classroom learning to authentic scientific practice.
A defining requirement of this opportunity is strong partnership involvement. Proposals must include partnerships with NOAA programs and/or offices, or otherwise demonstrate meaningful involvement of NOAA scientists or other NOAA personnel as resources to the project. These NOAA connections are not optional; they are a required feature of the program design and are meant to help ensure students engage with current science, credible mentors, and realistic views of STEM careers. In addition to NOAA partnerships, the opportunity expects collaboration across a broader network that can include academic institutions, nonprofit organizations (including museums, aquariums, and other free-choice learning venues), nongovernmental organizations, and state, local, and Tribal governments. Partnerships with other federal programs and offices are encouraged as a way to extend reach, strengthen programming, and leverage complementary resources.
The grant places a heavy emphasis on evaluation and measurable outcomes. Each project must include an evaluation plan that does two things at once: monitor the quality of participant experiences (students, teachers, and volunteers) and measure the program's impact during the award period. In practical terms, NOAA is looking for evidence that the program is well-run and that participation leads to demonstrable changes such as increased knowledge of ocean sciences, improved skills, greater awareness of STEM careers, stronger interest in ocean-related education pathways, or other outcomes that can be tracked and assessed while the grant is active. The notice also calls for clear, measurable impact on target audiences during the performance period rather than impacts that are only projected long after the project ends.
Another prominent expectation is equity and access. Proposals should show concrete efforts to engage underserved and/or underrepresented student communities. This implies that applicant organizations should think intentionally about recruitment, retention, geographic reach, accessibility supports, and partnerships that help remove barriers for students who have traditionally had fewer opportunities to participate in high-quality STEM enrichment and national academic competitions.
In terms of funding structure, this is a discretionary opportunity offered as either a cooperative agreement or a grant under CFDA 11.008 (NOAA Mission Related Education Awards). NOAA expected to make one award total. The overall federal request for the full project period must fall between $1.5 million and $2.1 million, with annual request limits set at no more than $300,000 for Year 1 and no more than $450,000 for each subsequent year. The estimated total funding available is listed as $2.1 million, and the award floor and ceiling are noted as $300,000 and $450,000 respectively (reflecting those annual caps). No cost sharing or matching is required.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and multiple levels of government including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Federally recognized Tribal governments, and other Tribal organizations. The opportunity was posted February 20, 2015, with an application deadline of April 21, 2015, and it was archived May 21, 2015. NOAA anticipated making the award by June 30, 2015, with a project start date no earlier than August 1, 2015. For administrative or access issues related to the announcement, the listed contact was Stacey Rudolph at 202-482-3739.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the National Ocean Sciences Competition for High School Students grant opportunity?
It is a NOAA education funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce designed to spark interest in ocean sciences among high school students across the United States and its territories. The program is intended to build excitement about ocean and related STEM fields, while making related career pathways more visible and attainable.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390.
What program or CFDA number is associated with this funding?
This opportunity is offered under CFDA 11.008, NOAA Mission Related Education Awards.
What is the main purpose or central aim of the program?
The central aim is to build interest and excitement in ocean sciences and related STEM fields among high school students, and to make education and career pathways in those fields more visible and attainable through competition, mentoring, and real-world learning experiences connected to ocean science.
Is this intended to be a one-time event or a longer program?
It is structured as a multi-year program rather than a single event. Funded projects are expected to run for three to five years and combine a nationwide academic competition with expanded learning and mentoring activities tied to real-world ocean science.
How is the competition expected to be structured?
The opportunity describes a tiered competition model, where students participate in regional-level events that lead to a national-level event.
How many students is the competition expected to involve?
NOAA anticipates the competition structure could involve roughly 2,000 students per year.
Does the program have to include learning activities beyond the competition itself?
Yes. The competition is not expected to be the only learning component. Applicants are expected to include enrichment experiences that deepen learning for participants as well as their peers and teachers.
What kinds of enrichment experiences are encouraged or expected?
Examples listed include internships, field experiences, laboratory or research experiences, and other structured opportunities that connect classroom learning to authentic scientific practice.
Are partnerships with NOAA required?
Yes. A defining requirement is strong partnership involvement, including partnerships with NOAA programs and/or offices, or otherwise demonstrating meaningful involvement of NOAA scientists or other NOAA personnel as resources to the project. These NOAA connections are required and are not optional.
Why does NOAA require involvement from NOAA scientists or personnel?
The notice explains that NOAA involvement is meant to help ensure students engage with current science, have access to credible mentors, and gain realistic views of STEM careers connected to ocean science.
What other types of partners are expected or encouraged?
In addition to NOAA partnerships, the opportunity expects collaboration across a broader network that may include academic institutions, nonprofit organizations (including museums, aquariums, and other free-choice learning venues), nongovernmental organizations, and state, local, and Tribal governments. Partnerships with other federal programs and offices are encouraged.
What is NOAA looking for in terms of evaluation and outcomes?
The grant emphasizes evaluation and measurable outcomes. Each project must include an evaluation plan that both monitors the quality of participant experiences (students, teachers, and volunteers) and measures program impact during the award period.
What types of impacts does NOAA want projects to measure?
NOAA is looking for evidence of demonstrable changes during the performance period, such as increased knowledge of ocean sciences, improved skills, greater awareness of STEM careers, stronger interest in ocean-related education pathways, or other outcomes that can be tracked and assessed while the grant is active.
Does NOAA want impacts measured during the grant period or only long-term projections?
The notice calls for clear, measurable impact on target audiences during the performance period rather than impacts that are only projected long after the project ends.
What are the expectations related to equity and access?
Proposals should show concrete efforts to engage underserved and/or underrepresented student communities. The announcement indicates applicants should think intentionally about recruitment, retention, geographic reach, accessibility supports, and partnerships that help remove participation barriers.
What type of award instrument will NOAA use?
This is a discretionary opportunity offered as either a cooperative agreement or a grant.
How many awards did NOAA expect to make?
NOAA expected to make one award total.
What is the total federal funding range that could be requested for the full project period?
The overall federal request for the full project period must fall between $1.5 million and $2.1 million.
What are the annual funding request limits?
Annual request limits are no more than $300,000 for Year 1 and no more than $450,000 for each subsequent year.
What is the estimated total funding available for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding available is listed as $2.1 million.
What are the award floor and ceiling amounts mentioned in the notice?
The award floor and ceiling are noted as $300,000 and $450,000 respectively, reflecting the annual caps described in the announcement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states that no cost sharing or matching is required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education); and government entities including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Federally recognized Tribal governments, and other Tribal organizations.
What geographic area is this program intended to serve?
The program is designed to reach high school students across the United States and its territories.
When was the opportunity posted and when was the application deadline?
The opportunity was posted on February 20, 2015, and the application deadline was April 21, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on May 21, 2015.
When did NOAA anticipate making the award?
NOAA anticipated making the award by June 30, 2015.
What was the earliest possible project start date?
The project start date was to be no earlier than August 1, 2015.
Who was the contact person for administrative or access issues?
The listed contact was Stacey Rudolph at 202-482-3739.
What should an applicant align their project with?
Funded projects are expected to align with at least one goal from NOAA's Education Strategic Plan.
Who are the primary audiences expected to benefit from the program?
The core audience is high school students, and the enrichment and evaluation components also reference benefits and experiences for teachers and volunteers, as well as peers of participating students.
Browse more business programs for High Schools
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Commerce
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: FWS Mountain Prairie Region Tribal Conservation Priority Support
Previous opportunity: Conducting Public Health Research in Georgia
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension and Technology Transfer 2015 Apply for NOAA OAR SG 2015 2004399 Funding Number: NOAA OAR SG 2015 2004399 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Auburn University Alabama Natural Heritage Program Black Warrior Waterdog Apply for F15AS00122 Funding Number: F15AS00122 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $37,542 |
| Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Apply for F15AS00249 Funding Number: F15AS00249 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $652,293 |
| Endangered Species Conservation Recovery Implementation Funds Ranchers Supply, Inc. Apply for F15AS00250 Funding Number: F15AS00250 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Central Valley Project Conservation Program and Central Valley Project Improvement Act Apply for R15AS00048 Funding Number: R15AS00048 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| S Curves Beach Nourishment Monitoring at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Apply for F15AS00342 Funding Number: F15AS00342 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Monitoring Dynamics of the Oregon Inlet Terminal Groin and Shoreline Erosion Along the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Beach Apply for F15AS00348 Funding Number: F15AS00348 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Construction Department of for renovations of the Countys A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research at the Historic Yates Mill County Park Apply for F15AS00361 Funding Number: F15AS00361 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Region 5 Northeast Fishery Center Apply for F15AS00381 Funding Number: F15AS00381 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Canid species, including Red Wolves (Canis rufus), on The Albemarle Peninsula Apply for F15AS00430 Funding Number: F15AS00430 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lincoln Park Zoo Apply for F15AS00443 Funding Number: F15AS00443 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Orianne Society Apply for F15AS00444 Funding Number: F15AS00444 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The University of Arkansas at Monticello, School of Forestry and Natural Resources Apply for F15AS00450 Funding Number: F15AS00450 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Providing Coordination and Leadership to the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative Phase II Apply for F15AS00449 Funding Number: F15AS00449 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CAP GILA RIVER BASIN NATIVE FISH AND RECOVERY AND CONSERVATION Apply for F15AS00453 Funding Number: F15AS00453 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Award Pacific Coast Joint Venture Administration Apply for FWS R1 PCJV FY2011 Funding Number: FWS R1 PCJV FY2011 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $678,939 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Pacific Coast Joint Venture Administration Apply for FWS R1 PCJV FY2012 Funding Number: FWS R1 PCJV FY2012 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $681,970 |
| Inventory of Unique Plant Communities SCNP in advance of Cliamte Change Apply for P13AS00119 Funding Number: P13AS00119 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $40,771 |
| Fiscal Year 2014 NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (BWET) Apply for NOAA NMFS NCBO 2014 2003956 Funding Number: NOAA NMFS NCBO 2014 2003956 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Digital Asset Management, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems, and Mobile Mapping Research and Development for the NPS RISD Program Apply for P14AS00266 Funding Number: P14AS00266 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $659,210 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NOAA SEC OED 2015 2004390", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.