NOAA’s Weather Program Office (WPO) is accepting proposals for the FY2025 Subseasonal to Seasonal (S2S) research funding opportunity, which seeks to improve forecasting capabilities for weather events occurring from two weeks up to two years in advance. This funding aligns with the 2017 Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act and aims to enhance resilience by improving forecasts for significant weather events that affect the economy, infrastructure, and public safety. Approximately $1.5 million in total funding is available, with a maximum of $350,000 per project per year, and NOAA expects to fund around 4-5 projects. Successful projects will contribute to advancements in forecasting by addressing S2S program priorities, including improvements in data assimilation, model development, and ensemble techniques within the Unified Forecast System (UFS).

The program emphasizes three main priorities: (1) improving data assimilation methods to allow cross-component Earth system predictions, including novel AI and machine learning (ML) approaches; (2) enhancing Earth system models and evaluating processes within and between components, such as land-atmosphere interactions, with a focus on precipitation and extreme events; and (3) refining ensemble forecast methods, including optimized initialization strategies and error reduction techniques. Projects should begin within readiness levels (RLs) 2-4 and show pathways for advancement. NOAA encourages projects that utilize NOAA’s resources, such as the Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration (JEDI), and collaborate with other UFS initiatives and relevant datasets.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based public and private institutions, including higher education institutions and tribal and local government agencies. Federal employees may serve as collaborators but cannot receive direct funding. Applicants must register with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, as the complete registration process can take up to six weeks. To encourage early alignment with program goals, applicants are advised to submit an optional Letter of Intent (LOI) by October 2, 2024. Full applications are due December 2, 2024, with funding decisions expected in June 2025, and project start dates anticipated in August 2025.

A complete proposal should include a project narrative with a title page, abstract, problem statement, methodology, expected outcomes, and a clear budget outline. Required supplementary materials include a data management plan and, if applicable, a software management plan, as well as relevant forms such as the SF-424 and budget justifications. Proposals should clearly address how they meet the technical criteria and align with one or more of the S2S program priorities, demonstrating an understanding of the project’s potential to contribute to operational forecasting improvements.

Proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with NOAA’s program priorities, scientific merit, the expertise of the project team, cost-effectiveness, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) goals. Successful projects will provide semi-annual progress reports and a final report, with data management that ensures public accessibility. NOAA encourages public dissemination of project findings, including publications and presentations, and mandates adherence to NOAA’s policies on open-source software and research reproducibility when applicable.

In addition to semi-annual and final reports, award recipients are encouraged to engage in broader visibility efforts, including educational outreach and collaboration with underserved communities. The program underscores the importance of incorporating DEIA considerations, and applicants are encouraged to foster diverse and inclusive research environments through partnerships with minority-serving institutions or organizations that promote equitable access in scientific research and education.