FY 2022 US Marine Life Observations: Coordinated Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and Animal Telemetry Network (ATN) Activities to Ensure Resilient, Productive Ecosystems and Human Communities in the Face of Change | NOAA NOS IOOS 2022 2007005

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS IOOS 2022 2007005

This FY 2022 funding opportunity, issued by the Department of Commerce through NOAA under the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), supports projects that strengthen and expand a coordinated U.S. marine life observing enterprise. The core idea is to build on the existing work of the U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON), the U.S. Animal Telemetry Network (ATN), and the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Associations so the nation has an integrated, long-term capability to observe marine biodiversity and animal movements across U.S. oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes, spanning environments from estuaries to the deep ocean. The opportunity is framed around helping ecosystems and the human communities that depend on them remain resilient and productive as conditions change.

The solicitation is jointly backed by NOAA and multiple federal partners, specifically naming NASA, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and the Office of Naval Research. Proposals are expected to work across sectors and disciplines, meaning applicants should not treat this as a purely academic research program. Instead, projects should connect monitoring and technology development to practical management and decision-making needs, and they should be designed with collaboration and interoperability in mind so that observations and products can be sustained and reused beyond a single study area or project period.

The program has four main priorities. First, it seeks projects that extend and integrate MBON, ATN, and IOOS Regional Association efforts into a more unified observing capability. This includes coordinating observing strategies, harmonizing methods where appropriate, and ensuring observations can plug into broader regional and national systems rather than sitting in isolated project silos. Second, it encourages advancement of technologies that make biodiversity and habitat observation more efficient, scalable, and in some cases automated. In practice, that can include improved sensor systems, imaging and acoustic tools, telemetry approaches, and data workflows that reduce the time and cost of collecting and processing information on species presence, abundance, distribution, behavior, and associated habitat conditions. Third, it emphasizes open access to biodiversity data and information, signaling that successful projects should have clear plans for data stewardship, standardized metadata, and delivery through accessible platforms so that managers, researchers, and other users can find and use the outputs. Fourth, it requires applicants to demonstrate how the observations, tools, and data will be used to address place-based management, conservation, and restoration needs. Examples given include marine sanctuaries, reserves, protected areas, and offshore leasing blocks, but the broader expectation is that proposals tie monitoring directly to real-world decisions and outcomes in defined geographies.

A notable requirement highlighted in the announcement is the expectation for direct involvement of both resource managers and IOOS Regional Associations during proposal development and project implementation. Resource managers can include local, Tribal, state, and federal partners, and their involvement is meant to ensure the work is shaped by on-the-ground management questions and that products are usable in the settings where decisions are made. Similarly, engaging IOOS Regional Associations helps align projects with existing regional observing infrastructure, standards, and stakeholder networks, which supports longer-term sustainment and wider adoption of the results.

The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period (for example, coordination, technical guidance, or shared planning). NOAA lists the opportunity as discretionary and categorizes it under environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development. The CFDA number provided is 11.012. The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS IOOS 2022 2007005. The opportunity was created on September 22, 2021, with an original closing date of December 17, 2021.

In terms of award size and duration, NOPP anticipates making multiple awards depending on available funds. Projects can request up to $500,000 per year for up to five years, with an overall award ceiling listed as $2,500,000, consistent with the five-year maximum at the annual cap. Total estimated funding across all awards is up to $6 million per year. The expected number of awards is flexible, anticipated to range from about three to twelve projects, again depending on funds and the mix of proposals received. There is also an option for proposals that include a team leader component to request up to an additional $40,000 per year for that role, submitted as a separate budget element, which suggests the program anticipates some projects may serve broader coordination functions across partners or regions.

The announcement also notes that proposals not selected in the current fiscal period may be considered for funding in the next fiscal period without NOAA or NOPP repeating the competitive process described in the notice. That language is important for applicants because it implies meritorious proposals could remain in consideration beyond the initial selection window, though it is still contingent on funding availability and agency priorities.

Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at moving marine biodiversity and animal movement observing from a set of related programs into a more connected, enduring national capability, with a strong emphasis on partnerships, modernized observing technology, open and usable data, and clear ties to place-based management challenges. Applicants are encouraged to review background information and ongoing activities through marinebon.org and ioos.noaa.gov to align proposals with existing MBON, ATN, and IOOS efforts and expectations.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2022 US Marine Life Observations: Coordinated Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and Animal Telemetry Network (ATN) Activities to Ensure Resilient, Productive Ecosystems and Human Communities in the Face of Change" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 22, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 17, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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