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

August 15, 2025

Estimated total program funding: $10,000,000 | Typical award floor: $250,000

Supports research on the physical structure, movement, and transport processes of the ocean, and its interactions with biological, chemical, atmospheric, earth, and ice systems.

Proposals must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) in effect at submission.

--- ## Description The Physical Oceanography Program funds research that advances understanding of the physical structure and movement of the ocean, the transport of various quantities within it, and the interactions between the ocean's physical structure and biological, chemical, atmospheric, solid earth, and ice processes. The program welcomes proposals addressing a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: - Ocean circulation and mixing - Air-sea and ocean-ice interactions - Transport of heat, salt, and other properties - Physical-biological-chemical coupling in the ocean - Interactions with the solid earth and climate system The program is part of the NSF Directorate for Geosciences, Division of Ocean Sciences. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** August 15, 2025 Check the [NSF program page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/physical-oceanography) for any updates or additional deadlines. --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated total program funding:** $10,000,000 - **Typical award floor:** $250,000 - **Award duration:** Varies by project; most awards are multi-year. No cost sharing or matching is required. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** Unrestricted. Open to universities, colleges, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and other research institutions. - **Eligible individuals:** Principal Investigators (PIs) from eligible organizations. - **Citizenship:** No explicit citizenship restrictions, but PIs must be affiliated with eligible U.S. institutions. Refer to the [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) for detailed eligibility requirements. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/275148). - **Requirements:** All proposals must comply with the current [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - **Review:** Proposals are evaluated through NSF’s merit review process, considering intellectual merit and broader impacts. For detailed instructions, see the [program page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/physical-oceanography) and the [PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). --- ## Additional Information - **Award conditions:** Awards are subject to NSF’s standard terms and conditions, including those updated as of October 1, 2024. See [NSF award conditions](https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF). - **No-cost extensions:** May be available; see [NSF guidance](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-6-nsf-awards#d-nsf-award-periods-948). - **Program updates and office hours:** [See announcements](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/physical-oceanography/announcements). --- ## External Links - [NSF Physical Oceanography Program page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/physical-oceanography) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) - [Browse funded projects](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=161000&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/275148) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------|--------------| | Baris M. Uz | [bmuz@nsf.gov](mailto:bmuz@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4557 | GEO/OCE | | Sean C. Kennan | [skennan@nsf.gov](mailto:skennan@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7575 | GEO/OCE | | Sabine Mecking | [smecking@nsf.gov](mailto:smecking@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2435 | GEO/OCE | | General NSF Info | [info@nsf.gov](mailto:info@nsf.gov) | 1-703-292-5111 | NSF | For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov). ---

Physical Oceanography

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