The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued Solicitation NSF 23-525 for the Oceanographic Facilities and Equipment Support program, which falls under the Directorate for Geosciences, Division of Ocean Sciences. This solicitation supports the procurement, conversion, upgrade, enhancement, and operation of oceanographic research facilities, including shared-use equipment and instrumentation for federally funded investigators and educators. The program ensures access to suitable oceanographic platforms and equipment, mainly in open-ocean, coastal, near-shore, and Great Lakes environments. This solicitation replaces NSF 19-602 and no longer includes Ship Operations, Ship Acquisition and Upgrade (SAU), and Other Facility Activities (OFA), which are now covered under separate solicitations.

The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to enhance the scientific productivity of oceanographic research by providing well-equipped and efficiently managed research facilities. The solicitation covers three distinct programs: Oceanographic Technical Services (Tech Services), Oceanographic Instrumentation (OI), and Shipboard Scientific Support Equipment (SSSE). The Tech Services program supports institutional technical services, including equipment maintenance, calibration, and at-sea support. The OI program funds shared-use instrumentation that enhances data collection and analysis capabilities. The SSSE program provides funding for permanent and portable shipboard scientific support equipment necessary for safe and efficient research operations.

The anticipated funding for this program is approximately $47.5 million annually, subject to available funding. The NSF expects to award between 25 and 50 grants per year, which may be in the form of standard grants, continuing grants, or cooperative agreements. Tech Services awards are typically five-year continuing grants, while OI and SSSE grants are awarded for one or two years, depending on the specific project. Funding is generally provided to institutions that support shared-use facilities and demonstrate the ability to manage oceanographic research infrastructure effectively.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (two- and four-year U.S.-based institutions, including community colleges) and nonprofit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies involved in educational or research activities. There are no limits on the number of proposals per organization or per principal investigator (PI). International branch campuses of U.S. institutions may apply but must provide a justification for conducting research at the international location rather than in the U.S.

Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, adhering to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. Proposal submissions must follow specific format guidelines, including detailed project descriptions, budget justifications, and supplementary documentation. Each program has specific proposal preparation requirements, including management structure, equipment inventory, and detailed funding requests.

NSF evaluates proposals based on the merit review criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts, alongside program-specific criteria such as the effectiveness of proposed technical services, the degree of multi-project use for instrumentation, and the necessity of requested shipboard equipment. Additional factors include cost reasonableness, safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term maintenance plans. Proposals undergo a rigorous review process, including external peer review, program officer evaluation, and administrative review before funding decisions are made.

The full proposal target deadline for submissions is January 10, 2024, and annually on January 10 thereafter. Awards are subject to NSF reporting requirements, including annual and final project reports, which must be submitted via Research.gov. Awardees must also comply with relevant policies, including Build America, Buy America provisions and any additional award conditions set by NSF. For further details, applicants may contact program officers Timothy McGovern, Laura Stolp, or Brian Midson at NSF.