Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS OCS 2025 30451
The Joint Hydrographic Center 2025 opportunity is a NOAA-funded cooperative agreement intended to support one U.S. institution of higher education in operating and maintaining a Joint Hydrographic Center. The award is grounded in federal authorities that emphasize coordinated ocean and coastal mapping, specifically the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act. In practical terms, NOAA is looking to partner closely with a university-based center that can help advance national hydrographic and ocean mapping goals through applied research, data collection and integration, and related technical capabilities that strengthen NOAA's mission.
The program is also explicitly tied to broader national policy direction, including the November 2019 Presidential Memorandum on ocean mapping. That memo calls for mapping, exploring, and characterizing the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to improve understanding of ocean resources and to support U.S. economic interests, national security needs, and environmental stewardship. Proposals are expected to align with these objectives by addressing the program priorities described in the announcement, meaning applicants should design a center work plan that clearly contributes to improved hydrographic knowledge, mapping capacity, and the kinds of outputs that benefit navigation safety and ocean resource decision-making.
This is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the Department of Commerce, NOAA, under a cooperative agreement structure. Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial involvement by the federal agency during the period of performance, so applicants should anticipate an active partnership model with NOAA rather than a hands-off grant. The funding activity falls within environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development categories, and it is associated with CFDA number 11.400. NOAA anticipates making a single award under this competition, which makes it a highly competitive, winner-take-all opportunity.
The posted award ceiling is $47,500,000, signaling that NOAA is seeking a major, multi-year center-scale effort rather than a small research project. Because only one award is expected, proposals will likely need to demonstrate strong institutional capacity, credible governance and management structures, proven technical expertise in hydrography and ocean mapping, and a clear plan for sustaining high-quality operations that meet NOAA program needs.
Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the United States. Applicants must also complete and maintain required federal registrations in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. NOAA emphasizes that these registrations can take four to six weeks to complete, so institutions should start early to avoid being blocked from submission by administrative delays. The notice also points applicants to Department of Commerce Applicant and Grantee Training modules as a resource for avoiding common registration and application errors.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title "Joint Hydrographic Center 2025" and the opportunity number "NOAA NOS OCS 2025 30451." The opportunity was created on March 27, 2025, and the application deadline is May 27, 2025. Overall, this solicitation is best read as NOAA's effort to select one university partner to serve as a national hub for hydrographic and ocean mapping work that directly supports NOAA priorities and the federal push to better map and characterize U.S. waters, especially across the EEZ.Apply for NOAA NOS OCS 2025 30451
- The DOC NOAA - ERA Production in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Joint Hydrographic Center 2025" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.400.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-03-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $47,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Joint Hydrographic Center 2025 (NOAA) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Joint Hydrographic Center 2025" opportunity?
Joint Hydrographic Center 2025 is a NOAA-funded cooperative agreement competition to support one U.S. institution of higher education in operating and maintaining a Joint Hydrographic Center. The selected university-based center is expected to advance national hydrographic and ocean mapping goals through applied research, data collection and integration, and related technical capabilities that support NOAA's mission.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What funding instrument will NOAA use?
NOAA plans to make an award using a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically involves substantial involvement by the federal agency during the period of performance. Applicants should expect an active partnership model with NOAA rather than a hands-off grant relationship.
How many awards does NOAA expect to make?
NOAA anticipates making a single award under this competition.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. Because NOAA expects to make only one award, this is a highly competitive, winner-take-all opportunity.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling is $47,500,000.
Does the award ceiling suggest the size or scope of the project?
Yes. The $47,500,000 award ceiling signals a major, multi-year center-scale effort rather than a small research project, focused on operating and maintaining a Joint Hydrographic Center aligned with NOAA needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the United States.
What is NOAA looking for in a partner institution?
Based on the opportunity description, proposals will likely need to demonstrate strong institutional capacity, credible governance and management structures, proven technical expertise in hydrography and ocean mapping, and a clear plan for sustaining high-quality center operations that meet NOAA program needs.
What kinds of activities is the Joint Hydrographic Center expected to perform?
The center is expected to support national hydrographic and ocean mapping goals through applied research, data collection, data integration, and related technical capabilities that strengthen NOAA's mission. Proposals are expected to produce outputs that improve hydrographic knowledge and mapping capacity and that benefit navigation safety and ocean resource decision-making.
What national laws or authorities does this opportunity connect to?
The award is grounded in federal authorities emphasizing coordinated ocean and coastal mapping, specifically the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act.
How does this opportunity relate to U.S. ocean mapping policy priorities?
The opportunity is explicitly tied to the November 2019 Presidential Memorandum on ocean mapping, which calls for mapping, exploring, and characterizing the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to improve understanding of ocean resources and to support U.S. economic interests, national security needs, and environmental stewardship.
Do proposals need to address the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
The opportunity description highlights the EEZ and the national push to better map and characterize U.S. waters, especially across the EEZ. Proposals are expected to align with these objectives by addressing the program priorities described in the announcement.
What subject areas or categories does this funding fall under?
The funding activity falls within environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development categories.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 11.400.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is "Joint Hydrographic Center 2025."
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is NOAA NOS OCS 2025 30451.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 27, 2025.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 27, 2025.
What federal registrations are required to apply?
Applicants must complete and maintain required federal registrations in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons.
How long can registrations take, and when should applicants start?
NOAA emphasizes that registrations can take four to six weeks to complete, so institutions should start early to avoid being blocked from submission by administrative delays.
Are there any referenced resources to help applicants avoid registration or submission errors?
The notice points applicants to Department of Commerce Applicant and Grantee Training modules as a resource for avoiding common registration and application errors.
What is NOAA trying to accomplish through this solicitation?
NOAA is seeking to select one university partner to serve as a national hub for hydrographic and ocean mapping work that directly supports NOAA priorities and the broader federal push to improve mapping and characterization of U.S. waters. The intent is to strengthen NOAA's mission through coordinated, center-based applied research and operational capabilities.
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