Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination

The Oceanographic Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination (OTIC) Program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Division of Ocean Sciences (GEO/OCE), is designed to support innovation and technical advancement in ocean science. As a federal agency dedicated to the promotion of scientific progress across a wide range of disciplines, NSF's OTIC initiative seeks to improve the scientific community’s capacity to observe, experiment, and analyze the ocean and its dynamic systems. The program recognizes that the complexity and scale of modern oceanographic research require cutting-edge instrumentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. OTIC supports unsolicited proposals aimed at the development of novel instrumentation and technology with broad applicability in oceanographic research. This focus includes, but is not limited to, tools and systems that improve data collection, observation methods, analytical techniques, and experimental capabilities. Rather than prescribing fixed categories, the program remains intentionally flexible, allowing researchers to propose technology solutions that address emerging challenges in ocean science. Projects funded under this program are expected to advance the state of the art in ocean observation and serve as a foundational asset to multiple research endeavors across different oceanographic domains. In addition to general instrumentation development, the program includes funding for targeted opportunities such as the Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML), as well as through partnerships like the National Ocean Partnership Program. These coordinated opportunities allow OTIC to support broader infrastructure improvements and collaborative research ecosystems, further enhancing the utility of developed technologies. Applicants must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) in effect for the due date at the time of submission. Proposals can be submitted either through Research.gov or Grants.gov, and applicants are responsible for ensuring all submission requirements are met. The program’s open submission policy for unsolicited proposals enables year-round development, while a fixed annual target date helps guide regular submission cycles and proposal review timelines. The next target due date for full proposals is February 15, 2027, and this date recurs annually thereafter on the same calendar date. Given the open-ended nature of the program, this cycle facilitates consistent opportunities for researchers to seek funding and allows for proposal planning aligned with the academic and field research calendars. Proposal evaluations will be conducted by NSF's peer-review process, focusing on criteria such as intellectual merit, broader impacts, and technical feasibility. For additional information or specific inquiries about the OTIC program, applicants may contact Kandace S. Binkley at [email protected] or call (703) 292-7577. NSF’s headquarters are located at the Randolph Building, 401 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Comprehensive information about the program, its purpose, and submission procedures is available on the NSF website, along with access to past awarded projects and related resources.