National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) and Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration (ICOSRMI) | Apply Online

FAQs: NOPP/ICOSRMI Ocean Science and Technology Research Solicitation (ONR)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a federal research solicitation under the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) and the Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration (ICOSRMI), issued by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). It supports ocean science and technology projects aligned with the partnership goals established in Title II, Subtitle E of Public Law 104-201.

What is the main purpose or intent of the program?

The central intent is to advance ocean-related research through true collaboration across organizational boundaries. The program emphasizes practical integration and broader national benefit rather than isolated, single-organization efforts.

What is the required teaming structure for proposals?

Proposals must include participants from at least two of these three sectors: academia, industry (explicitly including Non-Governmental Organizations), and government (including state and local government entities). A single-sector proposal (for example, a university working alone) does not meet the stated intent.

Do NGOs count as industry for teaming purposes?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) within the industry sector.

Does "government" include state and local entities, or only federal agencies?

The solicitation states that the government sector includes state and local government entities.

Why is cross-sector collaboration emphasized?

The solicitation is designed to incentivize partnerships where different sectors contribute complementary strengths, such as universities providing fundamental science, companies or NGOs providing platforms or operational capabilities, and government partners providing mission alignment, data needs, or transition-to-operations pathways.

What technical topics are ONR seeking proposals in?

ONR is seeking proposals across three main technical topics: (1) improving wind-wave predictions from global down to regional scales, (2) sensors and measurement technologies for biological, bio-optical, optical, or chemical properties of the ocean, and (3) improving tropical cyclone intensity forecasting.

What is Topic 1 about (wind-wave predictions)?

Topic 1 focuses on improving wind-wave predictions from global to regional scales. It generally targets better numerical modeling, improved assimilation of observations, more accurate representation of air-sea interactions, and enhanced forecasting skill. Benefits can include navigation, coastal planning, operational oceanography, and defense-related maritime awareness.

Does Topic 1 include both broad-scale and regional-scale work?

Yes. The stated scope spans broad-scale wave climate prediction as well as finer regional conditions affecting specific coastal zones and operational theaters.

What is Topic 2 about (ocean sensors and measurements)?

Topic 2 targets sensors and measurement technologies for biological, bio-optical, optical, or chemical ocean properties. It emphasizes advancing how the ocean is observed, especially parameters tied to ocean biology, biogeochemistry, optics, and water quality.

What are the two subtopics under Topic 2?

Topic 2 includes: Subtopic 1 (integrating in situ optical or bio-optical sensors onto nontraditional or novel sampling platforms) and Subtopic 2 (developing the next generation of biological, chemical, optical, and bio-optical measurements), which is further divided into Subtopics 2A, 2B, and 2C.

What is Topic 2, Subtopic 1 focused on?

Subtopic 1 emphasizes integrating existing or emerging in situ optical or bio-optical sensors onto nontraditional or novel sampling platforms. The intent is not simply to build a sensor, but to demonstrate it on platforms that expand coverage and persistence beyond conventional ship-based sampling.

What kinds of "nontraditional or novel sampling platforms" are mentioned?

The solicitation gives examples such as autonomous vehicles, gliders, floats, moorings, and other innovative deployment methods that can reach environments or timescales that ships and conventional sampling cannot.

What is Topic 2, Subtopic 2A about?

Subtopic 2A calls for next-generation optical and bio-optical field sensors designed to better exploit existing ocean color satellite products and/or new observations derived from ocean color satellite retrievals. This points toward field instruments that improve calibration/validation, reduce uncertainty in satellite-derived products, and provide complementary in-water measurements to interpret satellite observations.

What is Topic 2, Subtopic 2B about?

Subtopic 2B focuses on enhanced or new laboratory instrumentation. It indicates interest in improved analytical tools, bench-top systems, and lab-based measurement methods that can improve precision, throughput, or the range of measurable properties.

What is Topic 2, Subtopic 2C about?

Subtopic 2C highlights novel approaches to characterizing suspended particles and particle populations in situ, focusing on their properties and dynamics. Examples of relevant characterization include particle size distributions, composition, aggregation, transport, and temporal changes, with relevance to carbon cycling, water clarity, ecosystem dynamics, and remote sensing interpretation.

What is Topic 3 about (tropical cyclone intensity forecasting)?

Topic 3 addresses improving tropical cyclone intensity forecasting, with an emphasis on increasing skill in predicting storm strengthening or weakening. This area often involves improved understanding and modeling of atmosphere-ocean coupling, upper-ocean thermal structure, air-sea fluxes, processes driving rapid intensification, and approaches such as improved observations, model physics, and data assimilation.

Is this opportunity focused on research, operations, or both?

Based on the description, the solicitation is research-oriented but strongly emphasizes practical integration and broader national benefit, including transition-to-operations opportunities through government partners and pathways that support real-world use.

Who is issuing and administering this solicitation?

The solicitation is issued by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is ONRBAA09-012.

When was the opportunity posted, and what is the closing date?

It was posted January 5, 2009. The final closing date listed is April 15, 2009 (originally February 11, 2009).

What types of award instruments might be used?

Awards may be made using several instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and other mechanisms. This reflects flexibility in how ONR can structure partnerships and manage projects.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA listing provided is 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

Who is eligible to apply as a prime applicant?

Eligibility is broadly open to responsible sources from academia and industry, subject to the teaming intent and the stated restrictions on certain government-affiliated entities serving as prime applicants.

Are HBCUs and Minority Institutions encouraged to participate?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly encourages participation by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), while also stating that no portion of the opportunity is reserved or set aside specifically for them.

Can FFRDCs (including DOE national labs) submit proposals as prime applicants?

No. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to submit as prime applicants.

Can Navy labs, warfare centers, or other DoD/civilian agency labs receive awards directly or submit as primes?

No. Navy labs, warfare centers, and other Department of Defense or civilian agency laboratories are not eligible to receive awards directly or submit proposals as prime applicants.

Can FFRDCs or government labs participate at all?

Yes. Both FFRDCs and government labs may participate through teaming arrangements with eligible prime applicants, assuming those collaborations are allowable under the relevant sponsorship agreements.

If a government lab wants to participate, what is the suggested next step?

Government labs interested in participating are directed to coordinate with the ONR science and technology point of contact identified in the full announcement.

Does this program fund single-organization projects?

The stated intent requires collaboration across organizational boundaries, and proposals must include at least two of the three sectors (academia, industry/NGO, government). A single-organization effort would not meet the intent described.

What kinds of national benefits does the solicitation emphasize?

The description emphasizes broader national benefit through improved predictive capability (wind waves and tropical cyclone intensity) and advances in sensing and measurement technologies, with an emphasis on real-world integration and partnerships that support transitioning science into broader operational or societal value.