Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026 | Apply Online

Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026 (NOAA) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026 opportunity?

Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026 is a NOAA competitive funding opportunity (Department of Commerce, NOAA; CFDA 11.400) intended to support ocean and coastal mapping work through a single cooperative agreement with a U.S. institution of higher education. The goal is to establish or support a university-led center or program that advances NOAA mapping objectives and the priorities described in the full announcement.

2) Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

3) Is this a grant or something else?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, not a standard grant. NOAA expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordinating priorities, collaborating on deliverables, and aligning work with NOAA mapping needs.

4) What does "substantial involvement" mean in this cooperative agreement?

Based on the notice, NOAA anticipates being actively engaged during the project period. Examples given include coordinating priorities, collaborating on deliverables, and aligning project work with NOAA mapping needs (rather than operating in a hands-off manner like some grants).

5) What is the purpose or focus area of the funded work?

The activity focus is in environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development. The work is aligned with NOAA mapping, hydrography, and related applied research priorities, as detailed in the full announcement.

6) What laws authorize this award?

The award is authorized under the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act.

7) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education located in the United States.

8) How many awards will NOAA make under this opportunity?

The notice indicates this opportunity will support the work through a single cooperative agreement with a U.S. institution of higher education.

9) What is the total amount of funding expected for the full project period?

Total anticipated support across the five-year project period is about $8.5 million, subject to federal appropriations and satisfactory progress.

10) How is the funding expected to be distributed over time?

The planned project period is five years as a multiyear award with funding released annually. Roughly $1.6 million is expected to be available in FY 2026, with approximately the same amount anticipated in each of the following four years, subject to appropriations and satisfactory progress.

11) What is the award ceiling?

The listing notes an award ceiling of $1,600,000, which aligns with the expected annual increment described for the first and subsequent years of the five-year project.

12) Is continued funding guaranteed each year of the five-year period?

No. Annual funding is subject to federal appropriations and satisfactory progress, as stated in the notice.

13) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is May 11, 2026.

14) What is the funding opportunity number and category?

The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCS 2025 30563, and the opportunity category is discretionary.

15) What is CFDA 11.400?

CFDA 11.400 is the program identifier referenced in the notice for this NOAA competitive funding opportunity.

16) What registrations are required to apply and receive an award?

Applicant organizations must have active and maintained registrations in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons in order to apply and to receive an award.

17) How long can registrations take, and when should applicants start?

NOAA warns that SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons registrations can take 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Applicants are advised to start early and not wait until close to the deadline.

18) Where can applicants find guidance to reduce submission and compliance errors?

NOAA points applicants to the Department of Commerce Applicant and Grantee Training modules for guidance on avoiding common submission and compliance errors.

19) Are there any specific forms or application package components applicants should pay attention to?

Yes. The notice emphasizes careful attention to the "Additional Application Package Forms" referenced in the full proposal requirements section of the announcement.

20) How important is it to follow the full announcement?

The full announcement is described as the controlling document for specific program priorities, required project components, required forms, and evaluation criteria. Proposals must be responsive to the stated program priorities to be competitive.

21) What kind of applicant is NOAA looking for?

NOAA is looking for a university-led center or program capable of advancing the goals of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act by directly addressing NOAA program priorities laid out in the full announcement.

22) Does NOAA expect the funded work to align with NOAA mapping needs?

Yes. The notice explicitly states that, as a cooperative agreement, NOAA expects to coordinate priorities and align work with NOAA mapping needs.

23) What makes a proposal competitive for this opportunity?

The notice indicates that competitiveness depends on responsiveness to the program priorities and requirements stated in the full announcement, including required project components, required forms, and evaluation criteria.

24) What happens if an applicant waits too long to complete required registrations?

The notice cautions that required registrations can take 4 to 6 weeks. Waiting until close to the deadline may put an application at risk if registrations are not completed and maintained in time.