Ocean Exploration FY 2017 Funding Opportunity | Apply Online

Ocean Exploration FY 2017 (NOAA OER) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ocean Exploration FY 2017 Funding Opportunity?

It is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The program supports ocean exploration projects designed to expand scientific knowledge of ocean areas that are still unknown or poorly understood.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The central purpose is to identify, describe, and build baseline characterizations of newly observed ocean habitats, marine resources, and ocean processes. OER emphasizes exploration that improves understanding across physical, geological, chemical, biological, and archaeological settings, and then shares results broadly to advance ocean science and public understanding.

What kinds of outcomes does NOAA expect from funded projects?

Expected outcomes include new baseline datasets and characterizations that can serve as foundational references for future research and management. NOAA anticipates improved understanding of processes on U.S. continental margins and in the deep ocean, insights relevant to climate variability and marine ecosystems, identification of potential new or unconventional resources (energy, mineral, biological, or archaeological), and improved awareness of hazards tied to extreme events such as submarine volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

How does OER define or emphasize "exploration" in this program?

The program is framed around interdisciplinary exploration of poorly known ocean regions and processes. OER prioritizes efforts that build new baseline knowledge (what is there, what it is like, and how it works) and that share findings broadly.

What are the main exploration themes NOAA is inviting proposals to address?

NOAA is inviting proposals aligned with four themes:

1. Deep water column below 200 meters: exploration of physical, chemical, and biological environments and the processes shaping deep midwater realms.
2. Seamounts: exploration of geological, physical, and biological environments and associated biogeochemical processes linked to underwater mountains.
3. Innovation: development or application of novel technologies and methodologies to increase the pace, reach, and efficiency of ocean exploration, with interest in tools that enhance exploration of the deep water column, seamounts, and archaeological sites.
4. World War II submerged marine heritage: discovery and exploration of historically significant submerged marine heritage related to WWII, including sites, features, and artifacts.

Can a proposal address more than one theme?

Yes. Projects that combine multiple themes are explicitly encouraged, reflecting OER's preference for efforts that can generate broader, integrated outcomes from a single expedition or research program.

Is there a depth requirement for all themes?

The deep water column theme specifically targets areas below 200 meters. Archaeology proposals focused on World War II submerged marine heritage are not limited by depth (or geography) based on the information provided.

Are archaeology proposals restricted to specific regions?

No. The opportunity notes that proposals related to historically significant submerged marine heritage from World War II are not limited by depth or geography.

What types of innovations are of interest under the innovation theme?

Proposals may focus on developing or applying novel technologies and methodologies that increase the pace, reach, and efficiency of ocean exploration. There is particular interest in tools that enhance exploration of the deep water column, seamounts, and archaeological sites, including advances in platforms, sensors, and field methodologies that improve the ability to observe and interpret deep-ocean environments.

What geographic areas are highlighted for seamount exploration?

OER highlights seamount characterization within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or Extended Continental Shelf (ECS). Areas called out include the Gulf of Alaska, the Northwest Atlantic, and deep regions within Marine Protected Areas.

Does NOAA only fund projects in those highlighted regions?

The announcement leaves room for proposals in other regions if they strongly align with NOAA and OER mission priorities and bring significant leveraged resources.

What are "leveraged resources," and why do they matter?

Leveraged resources refer to meaningful partner contributions such as co-funding, ship time, access to instrumentation, or other in-kind support. The opportunity indicates that proposals outside highlighted regions may be more competitive if they bring significant leveraged resources and align strongly with NOAA/OER priorities.

Why is NOAA interested in seamount characterization in areas where ocean mining may occur?

NOAA expresses interest in seamount-related environmental characterization in regions where ocean mining may occur, and provides the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone as an example. This reflects an emphasis on building baseline environmental knowledge in places where human activities could expand.

What is the expected number of awards?

The posting anticipates a total of about 10 awards.

What is the maximum funding amount per award?

The award ceiling is $750,000 per award.

What type of funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity and may be awarded as either a grant or a cooperative agreement.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed is 11.011.

What is the opportunity number for this funding announcement?

The opportunity number is NOAA OAR OER 2017 2004970.

When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on August 2, 2016, and the original closing date was December 23, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This suggests multiple applicant types may be eligible depending on the specific criteria described in the complete funding notice.

What kinds of ocean settings does OER want to better understand through this program?

OER emphasizes interdisciplinary exploration that improves understanding of the ocean's physical, geological, chemical, biological, and archaeological settings, particularly in areas that are unknown or poorly understood.

How does this program support public understanding?

A stated program emphasis is to share exploration findings broadly to advance ocean science and public understanding.

What kinds of hazards might funded exploration help address?

The opportunity notes that exploration can help identify or better understand risks tied to extreme events such as submarine volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

What is meant by "baseline characterization" in this context?

In the context of this opportunity, baseline characterization refers to creating foundational descriptions and datasets about newly observed habitats, resources, and processes so future research, management, and assessments have a reliable reference point.

What is the program trying to discover or reveal?

The program is designed to discover and document new information about ocean habitats and processes, and it may also reveal new or unconventional resources, including energy, mineral, biological, or archaeological resources, based on the information provided.