Applied Meteorological Research
Active
- Assistance listing
- 11.468
- Agency
-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Commerce
- Grant awards
- 256 $132,391,778 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- CSTAR Program
- Assistance types
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 13-1450-0-1-306
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its National Weather Service (NWS) Office of Science and Technology Integration administers the Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) program (CFDA 11.468), which last awarded funds on September 1, 2023, but has not posted a new solicitation since November 2021.
The program funds collaborative applied meteorological research conducted between academic researchers and operational NWS forecasters, with emphasis on transitioning research findings into operational weather services. Recent awards have shifted significantly toward social and behavioral science dimensions of weather prediction: methodology for assessing National Weather Service product use and community response to severe weather events (Abt Associates, $979 thousand); analysis of inland flood impacts, evacuation decisions, and household survey data ($1 million); community needs assessment for wildfire and smoke information in California, Oregon, Colorado, and Tennessee ($2.84 million); and improved heat risk communication for historically underserved communities ($600 thousand and $449 thousand in paired awards). Parallel research has continued on technical meteorological modeling—seasonal forecast improvements in ocean and ice components ($677 thousand), tropical cyclone wind gust forecasting ($884 thousand), and data assimilation for weather prediction ($1.17 million). Award period is 12 to 36 months, with out-years funded subject to progress and available funds; approval time runs four to six months.
The program is dominated almost entirely by cooperative agreements (80 percent of 256 awards) with a smaller share of project grants (20 percent). NOAA funds all awards under the program—$132.4 million in federal dollars obligated across 256 awards since 2001. Award activity has been irregular in recent years: 13 awards in 2020, 8 in 2022, 7 in 2019, 3 in 2023, and only 1 in 2021. Recent awards typically range from $450 thousand to $2.84 million, though smaller awards ($94 thousand to $310 thousand) and zero-dollar extensions appear in the portfolio.
Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education, U.S.-based commercial organizations, state, local and Indian tribal governments, and other U.S. non-profit organizations. The most recent posted opportunity (NOAA-NWS-NWSPO-2022-2006968, November 2021) targeted research on weather, water, and climate services to historically underserved and socially vulnerable communities with approximately $800 thousand budgeted for five to seven projects. No opportunity currently open; the program's publication cadence suggests intermittent solicitation rather than annual cycle.
Objective and description
- Objective
The Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) program from NOAA/NWS provides funding to the university community for collaborative applied meteorological research to create a cost-effective transition from basic and applied rese
- Description
Through the Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) Program, the NWS Office of Science and Technology Integration supports research and development activities. The CSTAR Program represents a NWS effort to create a cost-effective transition from basic and applied research to operations and services through collaborative research between operational forecasters and academic institutions which have expertise in the environmental, social and behavioral sciences. These activities engage university researchers and students in applied research of interest to the operational meteorological community.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
U.S. institutions of higher education; U.S.-based commercial organizations; state, local and Indian tribal governments in the U.S.; other U.S. non-profit organizations and federally funded educational institutions
- Beneficiary eligibility
U.S. institutions of higher education; U.S.-based commercial organizations; state, local and Indian tribal governments in the U.S.; other U.S. non-profit organizations and federally funded educational institutions
- Uses of assistance
The funds are used by recipients for collaborative research described in proposals submitted and selected in response to calls for proposals from the NOAA program office. The program office may support non-competitive awards in specific instances or by direction from legislative language or unsolicited projects that are individually qualified.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Awards are for a 12-36 month period, although only one year may be funded at a time. Out-years are funded based on availability of funds and adequate progress. Funds are disbursed through the U.S. Treasury Payment System.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
No preapplication coordination is required. However, since proposals must demonstrate high levels of collaboration with operational NWS components, it is recommended that applicants discuss potential interactions with relevant NWS operational personnel prior to submission. Consultation and assistance is available through the NWS program manager. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Selection criteria are announced within solicitations published in Grants.gov. Examples of criteria used in past solicitations included operational applicability, scientific merit, technology transfer and methodology, capability of researchers, and cost effectiveness.
- Award procedure
Awards are selected by the Selecting Official and are made on the basis of proposal evaluations and technical and administrative reviews.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Approval time is expected to be about four to six months, which includes processing the award through NWS, NOAA, and DOC financial assistance functions.
- Renewals
Grants and cooperative agreements are approved on an annual basis, but may be continued beyond the first segment, subject to approved time frame and scope of work, satisfactory progress, and availability of funds. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of the Department of Commerce.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 256 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth Networks Inc. | $23,823,742 | 18% |
| 2 | The University Of Mississippi | $5,056,336 | 4% |
| 3 | Susquehanna River Basin Commission | $4,395,640 | 3% |
| 4 | The Research Foundation For The State University Of New York | $4,255,217 | 3% |
| 5 | University Of Oklahoma | $3,777,233 | 3% |
| 6 | Jackson State University | $3,607,000 | 3% |
| 7 | University Of Maryland, College Park | $3,574,962 | 3% |
| 8 | The Regents Of The University Of Colorado | $3,145,790 | 2% |
| 9 | Colorado State University | $2,957,380 | 2% |
| 10 | San Jose State University Research Foundation | $2,840,000 | 2% |
10 of 96 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$5,102 |
| FY2024 | $1,161,637 |
| FY2023 | $4,809,874 |
| FY2022 | $4,281,289 |
| FY2021 | $327,035 |
| FY2020 | $3,964,160 |
| FY2019 | $4,472,762 |
| FY2018 | $6,717,033 |
| FY2017 | $4,848,783 |
| FY2016 | $5,990,786 |
| FY2015 | $9,977,370 |
| FY2014 | $3,787,566 |
| FY2013 | $2,173,091 |
| FY2012 | $2,173,861 |
| FY2011 | $1,099,258 |
| FY2010 | $15,302,878 |
| FY2009 | $15,750,708 |
| FY2008 | $12,891,234 |
| FY2007 | $6,339,071 |
| FY2006 | $8,664,746 |
| FY2005 | $5,341,003 |
| FY2004 | $6,218,171 |
| FY2003 | $2,092,933 |
| FY2002 | $950,074 |
| FY2001 | $1,528,053 |
Show all 25
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 11.468?
Assistance Listing 11.468 is Applied Meteorological Research, a federal grant program run by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce).
What is the CFDA number for Applied Meteorological Research?
Its CFDA number is 11.468: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 11.468 awarded?
256 grant awards under 11.468 have obligated $132,391,778 in federal funds to 96 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 11.468?
The recipients obligated the most under Applied Meteorological Research are Earth Networks Inc. ($23,823,742), The University Of Mississippi ($5,056,336) and Susquehanna River Basin Commission ($4,395,640).
Are there open grant opportunities under 11.468?
No opportunity listed under 11.468 is open now. The latest, NWS Office of Science and Technology Integration: Unified Forecast System, was posted on November 8, 2021.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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