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

August 17, 2026

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

Supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology in environments from estuaries to the deep sea and Great Lakes.

--- ## Description The Biological Oceanography Program from the U.S. National Science Foundation funds fundamental research to advance understanding of marine and Great Lakes ecosystems. The program welcomes proposals that address population, community, or ecosystem ecology or oceanography with a compelling context, and encourages interdisciplinary research. Supported environments range from estuarine and coastal systems to open ocean and deep sea, as well as the Great Lakes. Projects may be co-reviewed or co-funded with other NSF programs, particularly within the Division of Ocean Sciences and the Directorate of Biological Sciences. Research topics may include, but are not limited to, ecosystem structure and function, biogeochemical cycles, organismal interactions, and responses to environmental change. Supplements, RAPIDs, and EAGERS may also be considered under this program. --- ## Due Dates - August 17, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - No explicit award ceiling or floor is stated; funding is based on project scope and merit. - Typical NSF awards for similar programs are multi-year and can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars, depending on the complexity and duration of the project. - No cost sharing or matching requirement. --- ## Eligibility - Open to all applicant types (unrestricted), including: - Academic institutions - Nonprofit organizations - For-profit organizations - State and local governments - Tribal organizations - International organizations - Applicants must comply with NSF policies and the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements in the NSF [Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - All applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/344858) or [NSF FastLane/Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/research-web/). - Review the [NSF program description and additional information](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=506154) for detailed guidance and resources. - Ensure compliance with updated NSF research security policies, including research security training and foreign talent recruitment disclosures. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals must have a strong ecological or oceanographic framework relevant to marine or Great Lakes systems. - Interdisciplinary and collaborative research is encouraged. - For proposals involving ship time or fieldwork, consult specific NSF guidance on these logistics. - Awardees are subject to NSF’s revised award conditions effective October 1, 2024. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview and Additional Information](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=506154) - [NSF Funding Opportunity Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/biooce-biological-oceanography) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/344858) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Browse Recent Awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/search-results?ProgEleCode=165000&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) --- ## 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 | | Cynthia L. Suchman | [csuchman@nsf.gov](mailto:csuchman@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2092 | GEO/OCE | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | ---

Biological Oceanography

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