The NOAA FY2025 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBES) funding opportunity supports research that examines how social, behavioral, and economic factors influence responses to weather-related hazards. This funding aligns with the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 and is specifically geared toward understanding human responses to meteorological events to improve weather services. Up to $1.5 million is available annually, with awards anticipated for 6–7 projects at a maximum of $250,000 per project per year, for up to two years. Projects will address critical areas in SBES, including community response to weather, behavioral responses to hazardous weather, and the societal impact of forecast accuracy.

The program seeks to fund projects between readiness levels (RLs) 2 and 8, emphasizing both foundational research and near-operational applications. Priority areas include (1) understanding how weather information flows through communities and affects responses to hazards, (2) examining individual and group behavioral responses to hazardous weather information, and (3) analyzing societal outcomes linked to forecast accuracy, including impacts on public safety, property protection, and economic factors. Researchers are encouraged to utilize interdisciplinary approaches across fields such as communication, sociology, psychology, and economics to integrate findings into NOAA's operational forecast and community response systems.

Eligible applicants include public and private organizations, educational institutions, and state, local, and tribal governments in the U.S., although federal employees may participate as collaborators without receiving direct funding. Prior to submission, applicants must register with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, as this can take up to six weeks. Additionally, NOAA encourages diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in project design, with a preference for projects that target historically underserved populations or underrepresented regions.

Submission guidelines suggest an optional Letter of Intent (LOI) by October 2, 2024, which helps NOAA assess alignment with program goals. Full applications are due by December 2, 2024, and must include a project narrative covering objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and detailed budget information. Required attachments include a data management plan, and if applicable, a software management plan and IRB approvals for human subjects research. Proposals should be structured to allow clear review against program priorities, relevance, technical merit, and outreach potential.

Evaluation criteria include project relevance to NOAA’s SBES goals, scientific merit, team qualifications, cost-effectiveness, and outreach strategies. Considerations for DEIA are integrated into project review, especially those initiatives that expand participation or benefit underserved communities. Funding decisions are expected in May 2025, with projects beginning in August 2025, subject to NOAA’s final funding allocations.

Award recipients must submit semi-annual progress reports and a comprehensive final report. NOAA encourages public sharing of findings to enhance program impact, including potential data publication in NOAA-approved repositories and software under open-source guidelines, where appropriate. Recipients are also required to ensure compliance with NOAA’s policies on harassment-free workplaces and to foster inclusive research environments.