FY 2026 Implementation of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

The FY 2026 Implementation of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), supports a nationwide network of Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS) designed to enhance understanding and decision-making related to the U.S. coastal ocean and Great Lakes. Managed through the NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS), the U.S. IOOS is a critical federal initiative that integrates ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observations into an interoperable and accessible framework, allowing public, private, academic, and governmental partners to generate data-driven tools and services that promote safety, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience. The funding opportunity is built on a cooperative agreement model, enabling sustained federal engagement in the execution of selected projects. Awardees will lead Regional Associations (RAs), tasked with operating certified RCOSs, which serve as the end-to-end infrastructure for collecting observations, managing data, supporting modeling systems, engaging stakeholders, and maintaining governance frameworks. The IOOS system is anchored in five integrated subsystems: Governance and Management, Observing, Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC), Modeling and Analysis, and Engagement. Through these elements, the program delivers stakeholder-driven, high-quality oceanographic and coastal data products across all eleven IOOS regions. Applicants must be institutions of higher education, non-profit or for-profit organizations, or state, local, or tribal governments. Federal agencies and foreign governments may partner in projects but cannot be the primary applicant. Applications must include detailed narratives, budgets, milestones, and a data management plan. NOAA anticipates awarding up to 11 cooperative agreements, each up to $5 million annually for a maximum of five years, pending annual appropriations. Projects must start on September 1, 2026, and end by August 31, 2031. No matching funds are required. The application process is rigorous and highly structured. Applicants must submit complete packages through Grants.gov, following strict formatting and documentation rules, including submission of the SF-424, SF-424A, proposal narratives, data management plans, budget justifications, and environmental compliance documentation. Each proposal must detail how the RCOS will meet regional and national needs through integrated subsystem activities, tailored stakeholder engagement, and contributions to national modeling and observing frameworks. Proposals will also be evaluated based on their alignment with IOOS strategic documents and NOAA-wide priorities, including coastal resilience, biodiversity, climate change, and public safety. Evaluation criteria focus on relevance to NOAA and IOOS goals, technical and scientific merit, applicant qualifications, budget feasibility, and the quality of outreach and education strategies. Emphasis is placed on how effectively proposals address the 34 IOOS core variables, leverage existing investments, and collaborate across regions and sectors. NOAA expects awardees to participate in semi-annual and national meetings, provide regular progress reporting, and ensure long-term data sharing and accessibility via approved data centers. Full proposals are due no later than 60 days after the official publication date of the NOFO. As of the analysis date, the NOFO has not yet opened for application submission, placing the opportunity in the “Early Engagement” phase. Anticipated notification of awards is scheduled for June 2026. Due to the recurring nature of this program, the next expected application cycle is projected for Winter 2027, with internal NOAA monitoring recommended in December 2026.

Proposals must demonstrate regional coverage, align with national frameworks, and emphasize integrated system design and stakeholder value.