[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

February 17, 2026 (Proposals accepted anytime until this date)

No specified ceiling or floor; typical NSF research awards vary, multi-year funding possible.

Supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology, including estuarine, coastal, open ocean, deep sea, and Great Lakes environments.

--- ## Description The Biological Oceanography Program supports innovative, fundamental research that advances understanding of the biology and ecology of marine and Great Lakes systems. Projects may focus on population, community, or ecosystem ecology or oceanography, and must address questions that significantly advance knowledge of marine or Great Lakes ecosystems. The program encourages interdisciplinary research and often co-reviews or co-funds proposals with other programs in the Division of Ocean Sciences and the Directorate of Biological Sciences. Research can address a wide range of environments, from estuaries and coastal waters to the deep sea and the Great Lakes. Studies may include field, laboratory, theoretical, or modeling approaches, and the program welcomes proposals that integrate across disciplines. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time until **February 17, 2026**. --- ## Funding Amount - No explicit maximum or minimum award amount is specified. - Typical NSF research grants may range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars, with funding usually provided for 1–5 years, depending on project scope and needs. - No cost sharing or matching is required. --- ## Eligibility - Open to all applicant types ("Unrestricted"), including: - Universities and colleges - Nonprofit and for-profit organizations - State, local, and tribal governments - Other research institutions - International collaborations are possible, but primary funding is for U.S.-based organizations. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted according to the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - Applications are submitted through [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/344858) or [NSF FastLane/Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop). - Carefully review the program description and additional guidance on the [NSF program page](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=506154). - Ensure compliance with new NSF research security policies and training requirements. --- ## Additional Information - The program supports interdisciplinary and collaborative research, including supplements, RAPID, and EAGER proposals. - See [recent awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=165000&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) for examples of funded projects. - Guidance available for proposals involving ship time and data/sample policies. - Award conditions for grants made on or after October 1, 2024, are subject to updated NSF and OMB guidelines. --- ## External Links - [NSF Biological Oceanography Program Information](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=506154) - [NSF Program Opportunity Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/biooce-biological-oceanography) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Browse Recent Awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=165000&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) - [Guidance on Proposals with Ship Time](https://new.nsf.gov/geo/oce/updates/guidance-proposals-ship-time) - [Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)](https://www.nsf.gov/geo/oce) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |-----------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------| | Jayne Gardiner | [jgardine@nsf.gov](mailto:jgardine@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4828 | GEO/OCE | | Stephanie Kamel | [skamel@nsf.gov](mailto:skamel@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4753 | GEO/OCE | | Ricardo M. Letelier | [rletelie@nsf.gov](mailto:rletelie@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7356 | GEO/OCE | | Cynthia L. Suchman | [csuchman@nsf.gov](mailto:csuchman@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2092 | GEO/OCE | | Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | NSF |

Biological Oceanography

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