Biological Oceanography

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the Biological Oceanography Program, which supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology. NSF is an independent federal agency that funds research and education in science and engineering across the United States. The program is situated within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) and the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE). Its mission is to enhance understanding of marine and Great Lakes ecosystems by supporting studies that address processes at population, community, and ecosystem scales. The program encourages interdisciplinary work and often coordinates with other NSF programs, including those within the Directorate of Biological Sciences. The program funds projects that advance knowledge in estuarine, coastal, open-ocean, and deep-sea environments, as well as the Great Lakes. Applicants are expected to frame proposals in a compelling ecological or oceanographic context, ensuring research findings contribute significantly to understanding ecosystem dynamics. Supported projects may include research supplements, RAPIDS (Rapid Response Research), and EAGERS (EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research), reflecting NSF’s flexibility in funding mechanisms to support diverse scientific inquiries. Additionally, the program is known to co-review and co-fund projects with related programs, allowing for greater collaboration and broader scientific impact. All proposals must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, depending on the submission system used. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, and applicants are responsible for ensuring compliance with formatting and eligibility rules. NSF emphasizes that submitting proposals early does not exempt applicants from meeting all requirements. Proposals are evaluated for scientific merit, broader impacts, and alignment with program objectives. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with two primary submission windows. The next target due date is February 17, 2026, followed by February 15 annually thereafter. A second cycle occurs on August 17, 2026, with the recurring deadline of August 15 annually thereafter. These are target dates, meaning proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis around those times, but applicants should plan accordingly to meet exact deadlines. Applications are not accepted year-round but instead follow these fixed submission dates. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent, pre-proposals, or concept papers indicated in the program materials. Funding details such as the award ceiling, award floor, number of awards, or total program funding are not specified in the available description and must be verified through NSF’s budgetary allocations or by contacting program officers. Similarly, matching fund requirements are not stated and require confirmation. Spending rules are not explicitly detailed but are expected to align with NSF’s general research funding guidelines, which typically support personnel, equipment, research activities, and dissemination efforts. Eligibility is broad and consistent with NSF’s general funding policies. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and other qualified research entities. The program does not specify geographic restrictions beyond being open within the United States and its territories, meaning it can be considered nationwide in scope. Contact information is available for four program officers: Jayne Gardiner (jgardine@nsf.gov, 703-292-4828), Stephanie Kamel (skamel@nsf.gov, 703-292-4753), Ricardo M. Letelier (rletelie@nsf.gov, 703-292-7356), and Cynthia L. Suchman (csuchman@nsf.gov, 703-292-2092). In summary, the Biological Oceanography Program provides an ongoing opportunity for researchers to secure NSF funding to advance ecological and oceanographic science. With annual deadlines, broad eligibility, and flexibility in funding mechanisms, the program is structured to support high-impact scientific research that contributes to understanding marine and Great Lakes ecosystems. Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the PAPPG and related program documents to ensure compliance with all submission requirements before applying.