The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination (OTIC) Program provides funding for projects focused on advancing technological development in ocean sciences. This program prioritizes instrumentation that broadly benefits oceanographic research by enhancing observational, experimental, or analytical capacities. Designed to support a range of interdisciplinary research and technological initiatives, the OTIC program accepts unsolicited proposals from researchers and institutions developing new instruments or improving existing technology that can serve diverse needs within the ocean science research community.

The program’s primary goal is to fund technological advancements that expand research capabilities within ocean sciences, especially through equipment that has wide-ranging applications across various oceanographic disciplines. OTIC also announces specific funding opportunities periodically, including support for the development and improvement of facilities, communications infrastructure, and equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML), as well as through the National Ocean Partnership Program. These announcements typically aim to bolster research infrastructure at key research and monitoring sites, thus supporting larger, collaborative efforts in marine science.

Eligibility for OTIC funding is open to researchers and institutions engaged in ocean science and technology development. Proposals should align with NSF’s guidelines and objectives, emphasizing broad applicability and community benefit. The program seeks proposals that push the boundaries of current research technologies, addressing existing challenges in data collection, environmental monitoring, and marine ecosystem analysis. Researchers and teams proposing new technologies must ensure that their designs and implementation strategies are well-documented and align with NSF's standards for grant proposals as outlined in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

Applications must be submitted following the NSF’s latest guidelines, with compliance to specific submission requirements as stated in the funding opportunity and the PAPPG. Proposal compliance is essential, as submitting in advance of deadlines does not exempt applicants from meeting all stated requirements. Researchers are expected to review updated award conditions, which have been revised as of October 1, 2024, in alignment with the updated OMB Federal Financial Assistance guidelines published in April 2024.

Evaluation criteria for OTIC proposals include the potential impact of the instrumentation on ocean science research, the feasibility of the project, and the proposal’s alignment with NSF’s broader research and educational missions. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the technology will be developed, tested, and integrated within the oceanographic community, providing valuable support for fieldwork, lab studies, or remote observation.

Key dates, submission deadlines, and additional requirements for OTIC proposals can be found on the NSF’s funding page. Proposers should consult the NSF website and Federal Register for the latest updates on financial award conditions, as well as any program-specific notices or updates to ensure full compliance and eligibility.