The NSF Physical Oceanography program funds innovative research into oceanic processes, focusing on the physical structure and dynamics of oceans and their interactions with biological, chemical, and atmospheric systems. Research areas supported include ocean circulation patterns, heat and carbon transport, interactions between ocean layers, and the study of critical phenomena such as wave dynamics, turbulence, and the response of ocean systems to climate variability.

Several recent awards exemplify these research themes. For instance, the MEZCAL project investigates the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) by reconstructing historical data on AMOC’s spatial and temporal dynamics using machine learning, aiming to improve monitoring systems and address climate-related shifts in circulation【5†source】. Another study on “Spray-mediated air-sea gas exchange” focuses on how high winds and breaking waves facilitate the exchange of carbon dioxide between the ocean and atmosphere, with implications for climate modeling and environmental assessments【5†source】. Additionally, the "Submesoscale and Surface Gravity Wave Interactions" project explores nearshore dynamics influenced by small-scale ocean currents, with broader implications for understanding coastal ecosystems and pollution dispersion【5†source】.

Projects funded through this program support the scientific community broadly, often involving international collaboration, as seen in the NSF-GEO and UK NERC-funded MEZCAL project. Funding covers a range of activities, from laboratory studies to field research and model development, aiming to advance the understanding of the interconnected processes within and around ocean systems. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research centers, and partnerships that often engage in interdisciplinary research approaches.

Submission for these proposals follows the NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and specific requirements of each funding call. Proposals are evaluated for intellectual merit and broader impacts, with recent examples demonstrating successful integration of student training, outreach, and public engagement initiatives. For example, projects like "Understanding Wave-Breaking Dynamics" incorporate STEM education components by involving high-school students in research activities and producing open-source data for educational use【5†source】.

With these investments, NSF seeks not only to address fundamental oceanographic questions but also to contribute valuable data for use in climate models, environmental monitoring, and coastal management, thereby serving both scientific and societal needs.