Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Coastal Ocean Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 11.478
- Agency
-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Commerce
- Grant awards
- 487 $399,754,166 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- (CRP/NCCOS)
- 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 Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funds peer-reviewed research producing actionable science and tools through the Competitive Research Program at NCCOS, with the most recent grant award on July 1, 2026 (Assistance Listing 11.478). The program has maintained consistent activity across 487 awards since 2000, obligating $399.8 million in federal dollars and $419.4 million in combined federal and non-federal dollars, with annual awards trending between 11 and 24 projects over the past five years.
The program funds peer-reviewed collaborative research addressing harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, coastal change and resiliency, and ecosystem-based management at both targeted and regional scales. Recent awards demonstrate concrete focus areas: harmful algal bloom monitoring and mitigation (detection of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia and Karenia brevis blooms, development of forecasting models, toxin testing in shellfish and subsistence resources), coastal flooding and resilience (natural infrastructure effectiveness, sea-level rise adaptation, sediment management), marine ecosystem connectivity and protected area management (shark migration patterns, reef fish habitat requirements, larval dispersal modeling), and research on multi-stressor impacts (ocean acidification combined with harmful algal blooms, hypoxia effects on fisheries). Representative recent awards include a $2.8 million cooperative agreement on domoic acid biosynthesis in Pseudo-nitzschia along the California coast, a $2.1 million award on nature-based coastal solutions in western Alaska, and a $4.2 million project on transportation resilience in Hampton Roads under sea level rise.
The portfolio is predominantly Cooperative Agreements (56 percent, 275 awards) with Project Grants comprising 44 percent (212 awards). NOAA is the sole funding agency across all 487 awards. Awards typically range from $250 thousand to over $2 million depending on project scope, with multi-year funding of two to five years permitted. Proposal evaluation emphasizes scientific merit, applicability to program research goals, investigator qualifications, and cost reasonableness through 90–210 day peer review cycles.
Open solicitations include Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms (due July 9, 2026, funding up to $1 million annually for five years on proven control technologies), Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge on toxin detection in seafood (due July 16, 2026, up to $250 thousand annually), and Advancing coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships and sediment management (due February 12, 2027, up to $500 thousand annually). Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profits, state and local governments, tribal entities, and for-profit organizations; federal agencies are eligible where legal authority exists.
Objective and description
- Objective
NOAA's Competitive Research Program (CRP), within NCCOS, funds peer-reviewed, collaborative research that produces actionable science and tools to support management and policy decisions protecting public health, coastal ecosystems, and community eco
- Description
The Competitive Research Program (CRP) [formerly the Coastal Ocean Program], part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), develops actionable information and tools to support management and policy strategies for protection of public health, ecosystems, and the economic vitality of communities. NCCOS/CRP competitively funds peer-reviewed research, collaborating with scientists, resource managers, and stakeholders. With over 30 years of experience, the program delivers results on our Nation's most pressing issues and needs at both a targeted and regional scale, including harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, coastal change and resiliency, and effective ecosystem-based management.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Institutions of higher education, not-for- profit institutions, State, local and Indian tribal governments, commercial organizations and Federal agencies. Foreign researchers may apply as subawards through an eligible US entity. All applicants will be treated equally in the competitive process.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Organizations and individuals utilizing science in effectively managing the Nation's coastal resources.
- Uses of assistance
Grants may be used to fund research and interagency initiatives under specific NCCOS/CRP programs related to NOAA's mission in harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, coastal change and resiliency, and regional ecosystem research.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
From one to five years, with funding approved annually.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Proposals are evaluated by competitive peer review taking into consideration primarily scientific merit and applicability to CRP's research goals. Principal investigators' qualifications and cost are also considered, with cost subject to negotiation.
- Award procedure
Awards are made on the basis of competitive peer review of proposals.
- Time to approval or disapproval
From 90 to 210 days from the time of proposal receipt.
- Renewals
By negotiation with the CRP Office. Multi-year awards of two to five years may be approved. Once awarded, multi-year projects will not compete for funding in subsequent years. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of appropriations in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of the Department.
Grant opportunities
Show all 28
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 487 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $39,195,062 | 10% |
| 2 | University Of Maryland Center For Environmental Science | $30,454,346 | 8% |
| 3 | Oregon State University | $14,742,502 | 4% |
| 4 | Virginia Institute Of Marine Science | $12,889,608 | 3% |
| 5 | University Of California San Diego | $10,787,600 | 3% |
| 6 | University Of Miami | $9,572,979 | 2% |
| 7 | Old Dominion University Research Foundation | $9,461,935 | 2% |
| 8 | Mote Marine Laboratory, Inc. | $8,371,421 | 2% |
| 9 | Louisiana State University | $8,055,437 | 2% |
| 10 | University Of Texas At Austin | $5,852,489 | 1% |
10 of 116 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $21,335,344 |
| FY2025 | $18,613,798 |
| FY2024 | $23,389,406 |
| FY2023 | $40,653,281 |
| FY2022 | $33,748,894 |
| FY2021 | $17,512,775 |
| FY2020 | $16,322,050 |
| FY2019 | $15,848,339 |
| FY2018 | $10,692,929 |
| FY2017 | $8,000,011 |
| FY2016 | $7,597,800 |
| FY2015 | $8,010,226 |
| FY2014 | $8,532,155 |
| FY2013 | $8,359,014 |
| FY2012 | $9,010,024 |
| FY2011 | $14,553,386 |
| FY2010 | $14,355,016 |
| FY2009 | $13,481,169 |
| FY2008 | $9,513,702 |
| FY2007 | $10,129,639 |
| FY2006 | $11,438,160 |
| FY2005 | $26,480,220 |
| FY2004 | $10,374,277 |
| FY2003 | $13,204,757 |
| FY2002 | $16,768,347 |
| FY2001 | $12,038,843 |
Show all 26
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 11.478?
Assistance Listing 11.478 is Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Coastal Ocean Program, a federal grant program run by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce).
What is the CFDA number for Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Coastal Ocean Program?
Its CFDA number is 11.478: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 11.478 awarded?
487 grant awards under 11.478 have obligated $399,754,166 in federal funds to 116 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 11.478?
The recipients obligated the most under Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Coastal Ocean Program are Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ($39,195,062), University Of Maryland Center For Environmental Science ($30,454,346) and Oregon State University ($14,742,502).
How much did 11.478 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 11.478 obligated $18,613,798 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 11.478?
1 listed opportunity under 11.478 is open or forecasted. The latest, Advancing coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, and improved sediment management., was posted on September 25, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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