Biological Oceanography

The Biological Oceanography (BioOce) Program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), supports fundamental research that enhances understanding of the biology and ecology of marine environments. NSF, an independent federal agency, funds scientific inquiry across a wide array of disciplines and is particularly known for fostering basic research that contributes to long-term knowledge advancement. Within this context, the BioOce Program plays a critical role in supporting investigations into the biological processes in oceanic and Great Lakes systems, contributing to the broader mission of understanding Earth’s natural systems. The scope of research supported by the BioOce Program includes biological oceanography and marine ecology in settings ranging from estuaries and coastal areas to the deep sea and Great Lakes. Proposals must present a strong ecological or oceanographic context at the population, community, or ecosystem level. This ensures that funded projects provide meaningful contributions to ecological understanding and management of aquatic systems. The program is particularly interested in research that has a strong interdisciplinary nature, and projects often involve co-funding or co-review with other programs within NSF’s Division of Ocean Sciences and the Directorate for Biological Sciences. Applicants may submit proposals that focus on a broad range of topics, provided that the research contributes to the understanding of biological processes in marine or Great Lakes ecosystems. The program also accommodates specialized funding mechanisms, such as supplements, RAPID (Rapid Response Research), and EAGER (EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research) proposals, which are suited to specific types of research needs or circumstances. Further guidance on these mechanisms and applicable research priorities can be found through NSF’s “Additional Program Information” resources. Submission of proposals is governed by the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), which must be followed rigorously to ensure eligibility. Proposals may be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov. Each submission pathway adheres to distinct formatting and procedural rules. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the most current edition of the PAPPG applicable to their submission date and ensuring full compliance with all listed requirements. The BioOce Program has two target dates for full proposal submissions each year: February 15 and August 15. If these dates fall on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. The next specific deadlines are August 17, 2026, and February 16, 2027, followed by their recurring annual dates. No pre-application steps such as Letters of Intent or concept papers are required for submission. Applicants are encouraged to review funded project abstracts and guidelines to align their proposals with the program’s priorities. Program officers Jayne Gardiner, Stephanie Kamel, and Cynthia L. Suchman serve as key contacts for applicants, offering support in understanding the scope and requirements of the program. Each can be reached via the NSF phone directory or their official NSF email addresses. While award amounts are not explicitly stated in the program synopsis, applicants are encouraged to structure budgets that are reasonable for the scope of their proposed research. Guidance on the use of ship time or data policies is available through linked NSF resources. All proposals must align with NSF’s broader research integrity and security guidelines, including those updated as of July 2025.