NOAA Cooperative Aviation Center

The NOAA Corps plans to partner with qualified institutions to establish Cooperative Aviation Centers. Qualified partner institutions must have a four-year baccalaureate program of professional flight and piloting instruction that is accredited by th

NOAA Corps aviators are essential to NOAA's mission of Science, Service and Stewardship. OMAO's aviators pilot NOAA's aircraft, including Twin Otters, King Airs, the famous P-3 Orion and Gulfstream IV "hurricane hunters." These aircraft collect data essential to hurricane and flood prediction, nautical charting, disaster response, and resource management. The overarching goal of NCAC is to develop future aviation professionals for NOAA Corps by providing a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about aviation and science. Within the program, students will experience mission driven opportunities to prepare them for a direct-to-aviation position. This includes, but is not limited to, a summer internship at the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), leadership development, and flight training opportunities.

Postsecondary Institutions with baccalaureate program of professional flight and piloting instruction accredited by a recognized aviation education body and possess FAA certified flight training programs. Additionally, applicants must include in their degree Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Specific requirements would include at least 48 semester (72 quarter) hours in STEM course work pertaining to NOAA's missions. The combination of rigorous flight training and specialized STEM education will equip graduates to contribute meaningfully to NOAA's distinctive and critical responsibilities. To ensure a coordinated effort between OMAO and the university, OMAO's assistance throughout the student selection process is required.

The NOAA Cooperative Aviation Centers will provide a two-year program at selected universities. Funds awarded through this opportunity are to be used by the universities to offer participating students a range of aviation flight and educational experiences.

NOAA anticipates typical federal funding for awards will be up to $600,000 per university annually, for up to three schools, for a program length of 5 years. NOAA anticipates up to $2.7 million will be available under this Announcement in Fiscal Year 2026 and that 1-3 awards will be made. Awards are dependent upon the amount of funds made available to NOAA for this purpose by the congressional direction for FY26 - FY31 budgets. Estimated funding in subsequent fiscal years has not been determined; this announcement may be amended if estimates for future fiscal years become available. Funds will be administered by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA. Any funds provided to successful applicants for subsequent-year funding requests will be determined by progress towards stated milestones and availability of funding at the discretion of the NOAA/OMAO and the NOAA Grants Management Division (GMD).

Review process (4 months) Minimum requirements review (to make sure schools are eligible) 14-30 days DOC Grant Intake approval; 30 business days Budget office review; 3-5 business days GMD Review and Obligations (60 days) Technical Merit review