Biological Oceanography

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Oceanography (BioOce) Program is a fundamental research funding initiative housed within the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) under the Directorate for Geosciences. As part of NSF's ongoing commitment to advancing scientific understanding of Earth’s oceans and aquatic systems, the BioOce Program provides critical financial support for projects investigating the ecology and biological processes in marine and freshwater environments. These environments range widely from estuaries and coastal zones to the open ocean, deep sea, and even the Great Lakes. NSF is an independent federal agency known for supporting fundamental research across science and engineering disciplines, and the BioOce program reflects its dedication to foundational, interdisciplinary, and high-impact scientific exploration. The BioOce Program specifically seeks proposals that address population, community, and ecosystem-level processes within oceanographic contexts. Projects submitted must demonstrate compelling scientific value and contribute substantially to the understanding of marine or Great Lakes ecosystems. This includes exploring interactions between organisms and their physical, chemical, and geological environments. The scope of supported research is broad and encourages interdisciplinary approaches, often leading to co-funding with other programs in the Division of Ocean Sciences or the Directorate for Biological Sciences. In addition to standard research proposals, the program also supports Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), and supplemental funding requests, especially for ongoing NSF-funded research. Spending rules for BioOce awards adhere to NSF’s general financial guidelines, including compliance with the updated federal regulations in 2 CFR as of October 1, 2024. Proposal budgets must align with the project goals and conform to cost principles outlined in NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Researchers should include all standard components such as biosketches, budget justifications, and data management plans. Additionally, NSF emphasizes that proposals must follow submission requirements based on the PAPPG version active at the time of submission. Pre-submission planning, including coordination for projects requiring ship time or special facilities, is advised. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive. Public and private institutions of higher education, tribal colleges and universities, nonprofit research organizations, and eligible for-profit entities may apply. Principal Investigators must be affiliated with U.S.-based institutions, consistent with NSF’s general policy. The program does not specify cost-share or matching requirements, and no eligibility exclusions were noted for specific organization types. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, with all applicable guidelines from the respective submission platforms followed. The next target date for full proposals is August 17, 2026, and the program follows an annual cycle with recurring deadlines each August 15. Proposals are evaluated for their intellectual merit and broader impacts, as defined by NSF's standard merit review criteria. Researchers are encouraged to consult supplemental program guidance, sample data policies, and previously funded projects, all available via links on the program page. Contacts for the program include Jayne Gardiner, Stephanie Kamel, and Cynthia L. Suchman, all reachable via the NSF GEO/OCE office. Prospective applicants may also benefit from reviewing community planning documents and resources on proposal development provided on the BioOce program page. The application cycle is recurring and predictable, facilitating long-term research planning. Projects are reviewed and funded on a competitive basis, with award announcements typically following NSF’s review timelines. Performance periods and funding levels vary based on project scope and duration. The program page provides access to recent awards, enabling applicants to examine the types of projects previously supported. While no pre-application step is required, researchers should ensure all documentation complies with the current version of the PAPPG and reach out to program officers with questions specific to research focus or submission logistics.