NOAA Cooperative Institutes

NOAA's Cooperative Institutes sit under the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and anchor long-term research ties between NOAA laboratories and university consortia. The current portfolio includes 16 institutes linked to about 80 universities and research institutions across 33 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Canada. The instrument is a five-year cooperative agreement, with awards reaching up to $100 million over a term. Eligibility is centered on universities and research organizations, with nonprofit participation allowed and for-profit bidders excluded. Competitions appear when a term expires, so the cadence is episodic rather than annual, and each institute is meant to stay co-located with NOAA research labs. The strongest fits are large university alliances that can support NOAA lab research at scale and keep a durable program team in place. Because consortia are required, successful bids need governance, shared scientific depth, and an operational plan that can survive a full five-year term.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.