Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026

The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center opportunity is a federally funded cooperative agreement issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically through the Office of Coast Survey (OCS), under the U.S. Department of Commerce. This funding opportunity aligns with NOAA’s statutory mandates under the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act and the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act. Its objective is to establish a single joint center of excellence in collaboration with a U.S. institution of higher education to support ocean and coastal mapping research, operations, and education over a five-year period. The intended start of the award is October 1, 2026, with completion by September 30, 2031. This program supports the advancement of national capabilities in hydrographic and cartographic surveying, ocean and coastal mapping, and geospatial data integration. Central goals include improving access, interoperability, and reusability of hydrographic data, as well as increasing the efficiency of mapping operations through integration of multiple sensor technologies and automation. Specific research areas of interest include cloud-based data processing, automated workflows for marine navigation products, and implementation of the S-100 hydrographic data model suite. The cooperative center is also expected to engage in workforce development by offering curricula and short courses, and to promote technology transfer through licensing, commercialization, or open-source mechanisms. A distinguishing feature of this award is the co-location requirement: the selected institution must host up to 14 NOAA staff, including a NOAA co-director, and demonstrate capacity to house survey vessels and research infrastructure. Applicants are also expected to provide research space, lab facilities, IT infrastructure, and waterfront access. The federal government anticipates a total funding amount of approximately $8.5 million across five years, with an estimated $1.6 million allocated annually. However, each year’s funding is contingent upon congressional appropriations and satisfactory performance. Only U.S.-based institutions of higher education are eligible to apply, and the selection process will evaluate applicants on technical merit, alignment with program priorities, cost efficiency, broader impacts, and institutional capability. Though cost-sharing is not required, an applicant’s resource commitment may be considered during evaluation. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 11, 2026, using the SF-424 NOAA Research & Related Forms Package. Required materials include a project narrative, budget justification, data management plan, environmental compliance questionnaire, and related federal forms. Proposals will be administratively reviewed and evaluated by at least three independent reviewers using criteria that emphasize relevance to operational transition, innovation, institutional support, project cost, and community benefit. NOAA expects to issue the award no earlier than October 1, 2026, and no later than July 1, 2027. Post-award, recipients must submit performance and financial reports semi-annually via the eRA system. Questions can be directed to Teresa Fleisher at NOAA Office of Coast Survey, via [email protected]. The opportunity is not recurring and no matching funds are required. A unique feature of this NOFO is its emphasis on high-impact, cross-sector research collaboration and direct integration of NOAA personnel and equipment within the recipient institution.

Submit early due to complex multi-system registration (SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons); ensure exact PDF formatting to avoid rejection; align with NOAA program priorities and demonstrate operational transition impact.