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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Office is requesting proposals for 5-year awards supporting coordinated regional efforts that advance the Nation’s understanding and decision-making of its coastal ocean and Great Lakes through integrated observations, data provision and management, modeling, and engagement. The U.S. IOOS is a national and regional partnership working to produce, integrate, and communicate high quality ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes data that meets the safety, economic, and stewardship needs of the nation. • The U.S. IOOS supports NOAA’s mission: to understand and predict conditions in the ocean, coasts, and atmosphere; to share that knowledge and information with others; and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. • The work of the U.S. IOOS supports public, national security, search and rescue, commerce, safety, forecasting, food, energy, water quality, scientific, and resource management needs. • Decision makers, businesses, managers, scientists, and communities at local, regional, and national levels all use U.S. IOOS information tailored to their needs to improve predictions of ocean and weather conditions and their effects on coastal communities and the nation. • The U.S. IOOS is intended to represent the full scale of partners who contribute to, or benefit from, the integrated ocean observing system. • Any entity contributing toward solutions or implementation of U.S. IOOS is welcome as a part of the Enterprise. • Applicants should address how they will integrate each of the following subsystem elements: Governance and Management, Observing, Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC), Modeling and Analysis, and Engagement. • Proposals should clearly demonstrate the applications and benefits of the proposed activities to society at the local, regional, and national levels. • Proposals should clearly identify what intermediate and end users will be engaged and the societal needs that the activities will address.