FY 2022 US Marine Life Observations: Coordinated Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and Animal Telemetry Network (ATN) Activities to Ensure Resilient, Productive Ecosystems and Human Communities in the Face of Change

Funding Agency:
Department of Commerce

On behalf of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), NOAA and partner agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and the Office of Naval Research request proposals that: (1) build upon the foundation established by the US Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON), the US Animal Telemetry Network (ATN), and the US IOOS Regional Associations to work across sectors and disciplines towards an integrated, sustained marine life observing capability for the U.S. ocean, coasts and Great Lakes, from estuaries to the deep ocean; (2) advance technologies for efficient and/or automated collection of species and associated habitat observations; (3) enable open access to biodiversity data and information; and (4) utilize these observations, technologies, and data to address placebased (e.g., sanctuaries, reserves, protected areas, leasing blocks, etc) management, conservation and restoration needs.

NOPP anticipates making multiple awards, subject to the availability of funds, in amounts up to $500,000 per project per year for up to five years. Total estimated funding for all awards is up to $6M million per year. The number of awards is anticipated to range from approximately three (3) to twelve (12) and will be adjusted based on availability of funds. Proposals not funded in the current fiscal period may be considered for funding in the next fiscal period without NOAA or NOPP repeating the competitive process outlined in this announcement. Proposals that include a team leader component can request up to an additional $40,000 per year for that role in a separate budget (further details provided below).

Applicants are encouraged to visit marinebon.org and ioos.noaa.gov for more information about MBON, ATN and related activities. Applicants should note requirements later in the call for direct involvement of both resource managers (local, tribal, state and federal) and IOOS Regional Associations in proposal development and project implementation.

We are soliciting proposals for projects conducted in US waters only, defined as US coastal waters, Great Lakes, and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). While this solicitation targets projects in US waters only, activities supported in this call will advance international efforts to understand marine biodiversity and its changes from the local to global levels. US MBON actively contributes to the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) MBON thematic node. As core components of US IOOS, US MBON and US ATN actively contribute to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) via the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the GOOS Biology and Ecosystem Panel, OBIS, and the emerging GOOS network, AniBOS. Further, US MBON is a core contributor to the Marine Life 2030 Programme of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Deadline: Dec. 17, 2021

Agency Website

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants for this competition are institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and State, local, and tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions and foreign governments may not be the primary recipient of awards under this announcement, but they are encouraged to partner for funding with applicants, when appropriate.

For all NOPP-funded activities, team efforts are required among at least two of the following three sectors: academia, industry (including Non-Governmental Organizations, or NGOs), and government (including Federal, state and local).

Amount Description

NOPP anticipates making multiple awards, subject to the availability of funds, in amounts up to $500,000 per project per year for up to five years. Total estimated funding for all awards is up to $6M million per year. The number of awards is anticipated to range from approximately three (3) to twelve (12) and will be adjusted based on availability of funds. Proposals not funded in the current fiscal period may be considered for funding in the next fiscal period without NOAA or NOPP repeating the competitive process outlined in this announcement. Proposals that include a team leader component can request up to an additional $40,000 per year for that role in a separate budget (further details provided below).

Funding Type

Grant

Eligibility

Faculty

Category

Environmental & Life Sciences
Interdisciplinary

External Deadline

December 17, 2021