Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity

The NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, also known as NOAA Ocean Exploration, is soliciting proposals for projects to conduct or support ocean exploration of poorly understood regions of U.S. waters. NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the deep ocean, closing prominent gaps in our basic understanding of U.S. deep waters and the seafloor and delivering the ocean information needed to strengthen the economy, health, and security of our nation.

Using the latest tools and technology, NOAA Ocean Exploration explores unknown or little known areas of our deep ocean, making discoveries of scientific, economic, and cultural value. Data collected are used to understand and maintain a healthy ocean, sustainably manage marine resources, accelerate the national economy, and build a better appreciation of the value and critical importance of the ocean in our everyday lives.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals for interdisciplinary ocean exploration in waters under U.S. jurisdiction that support national priorities, including NOAA science and technology priorities of uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 'omics data, and citizen science (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas) and the Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/nomec/IWG-OEC, draft report to be released April 2022) developed per the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/nomec). The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone contains a vast array of underutilized, and likely many undiscovered, natural resources, including critical minerals, marine-derived pharmaceuticals, and energy sources in addition to areas of significant ecological and conservation value. By supporting exploration, i.e., discovery through disciplined, diverse observations, NOAA Ocean Exploration seeks to advance our basic understanding of U.S. deep waters (waters deeper than 200 meters).