NOAA Coastal and Ocean Grants Guide

NOAA's Funding Landscape

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funds research, conservation, and management activities related to oceans, coasts, weather, climate, and fisheries. NOAA's grant programs span a wide range, from small-scale community resilience projects to multi-million-dollar research initiatives.

NOAA is organized into line offices — the National Ocean Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and others — each with its own grant programs and priorities. Understanding which line office aligns with your work is the first step toward finding the right funding opportunity.

Key Grant Programs

Sea Grant

NOAA Sea Grant is a network of 34 university-based programs across the country that fund research, education, and extension activities related to coastal and ocean resources. Sea Grant programs issue competitive grant solicitations at the state level, making them one of the most accessible entry points for researchers and community organizations working on coastal issues.

Each state Sea Grant program sets its own priorities based on regional needs. Contact your state program to learn about upcoming solicitations, priority areas, and application requirements.

Coastal Resilience Grants

NOAA administers several grant programs focused on building the resilience of coastal communities to storms, sea-level rise, flooding, and other hazards. These programs fund nature-based solutions, community planning, infrastructure hardening, and capacity building. Eligible applicants typically include state and local governments, tribal nations, and nonprofit organizations.

Fisheries Research and Management

The National Marine Fisheries Service funds research on fish populations, marine ecosystems, and fisheries management. Programs include the Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) Grant Program, which supports projects that benefit the U.S. fishing industry, and various cooperative research programs that partner scientists with commercial fishers.

Climate and Weather Research

The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research funds fundamental and applied research on climate, weather, ocean chemistry, and atmospheric composition. These competitive programs typically target university researchers and are announced through Grants.gov.

Application Strategy

Align with NOAA Strategic Priorities

NOAA publishes strategic plans at the agency level and within each line office. Before writing your proposal, review these plans to understand the agency's current priorities. Proposals that explicitly connect to NOAA's strategic goals are more competitive than those that do not reference the agency's broader mission.

Build on Existing Relationships

NOAA values partnerships and collaboration. If you have worked with NOAA scientists, used NOAA data, or participated in NOAA-funded programs, reference those connections in your proposal. Prior engagement demonstrates that you understand the agency's work and can be a productive partner.

Use NOAA Data and Tools

NOAA maintains extensive datasets, models, and tools that are publicly available. Proposals that leverage these resources demonstrate alignment with the agency and add value by extending the utility of existing investments. If your project will generate new data, describe how it will be shared through NOAA-compatible formats and repositories.

Address Stakeholder Engagement

Many NOAA grant programs emphasize the application of research to management decisions or community needs. Your proposal should describe how stakeholders — resource managers, community leaders, industry representatives — will be engaged in the research process and how findings will be translated into actionable guidance.

Proposal Components

Technical Narrative

Describe your project objectives, approach, and expected outcomes with specificity. NOAA reviewers are domain experts who expect rigorous scientific or technical proposals. Include a literature review that positions your work within the current state of knowledge, a detailed methodology section, and a clear description of deliverables.

Data Management Plan

NOAA requires a data management plan for most grants. Describe what data you will collect, the formats you will use, where the data will be archived, and how it will be made publicly available. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) serves as a primary archive for environmental data. Aligning your data management plan with NOAA's policies signals awareness and professionalism.

Milestones and Deliverables

Provide a detailed project timeline with specific milestones for each quarter or year. NOAA program officers use milestones to track progress and assess whether projects are on schedule. Clear milestones also make your proposal easier to evaluate, because reviewers can see exactly what you plan to accomplish and when.

Budget

Prepare a detailed budget with full justification for each cost category. NOAA grants follow standard federal budget categories. Pay attention to any program-specific budget restrictions, such as caps on indirect costs or requirements for cost sharing.

Common Pitfalls

• Applying to the wrong NOAA line office or program for your project type
• Proposals that focus on basic research without connecting to management or societal applications
• Weak data management plans that do not address NOAA's specific requirements
• Failing to engage stakeholders who will use the research results
• Ignoring the specific evaluation criteria published in the funding announcement

Building a Relationship with NOAA

NOAA is a mission-driven agency that values long-term partnerships with researchers and organizations. Attend NOAA-sponsored conferences and workshops. Participate in advisory committees and working groups. Contribute to NOAA's open data ecosystem. These activities build familiarity with the agency's culture and priorities, which translates directly into more competitive proposals.

Success with NOAA funding often comes from sustained engagement rather than one-off applications. Organizations that align their work with NOAA's mission and demonstrate a commitment to translating research into practice are well-positioned for repeat funding.