Each fiscal year, the Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) manages a diverse program of financial assistance in support of NOAA's mission. NOAA partners with a wide range of universities and colleges, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and state entities, and obligates approximately $1 billion annually, and manages an active grant and financial assistance portfolio of roughly $4 billion.
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is the Federal portal where financial assistance opportunities and other resources are located. Click here for information on current NOAA federal grants opportunities.
Click here to learn How to Apply.
eRA Commons
As of January 2024, all existing active NOAA grants have migrated to eRA Commons. eRA Commons is the online grants management system of record for use by applicants and recipients to track their submitted applications, complete post-award activities and submit reports. All applications are submitted via Grants.gov and received by eRA Commons.
New Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Request for Application (RFA) are published on Grants.gov. Applicants must register with eRA Commons before submitting any new applications for NOAA.
Learn more about applying for federal financial assistance at Grants.gov
Types of financial assistance
Federal Financial Assistance and Cooperative Agreement Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 6301- 6308: Establishes the legal instruments to use to reflect particular relationships between the United States Government and a State, local government, or other recipient, based on the principal purpose.
What is a Grant?
A Grant is the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between NOAA and a recipient whenever: (a) the principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer anything of value in order to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute, and (b) no substantial involvement is anticipated between NOAA and the recipient during the performance of the contemplated activity.
What is a Cooperative Agreement?
A Cooperative Agreement is the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between NOAA and a recipient whenever: (1) the principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer anything of value to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by Federal statute, and (2) substantial involvement (e.g., collaboration, participation, or intervention by NOAA in the management of the project) is anticipated between NOAA and the recipient during performance of the contemplated activity.
2 CFR Part 200
The financial assistance requirements are governed under 2 CFR Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements. Click here to see the uniform guidance.
Who do we service?
NOAA provides funding in support of financial assistance programs for the following NOAA line offices:
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
- National Ocean Service (NOS)
- National Weather Service (NWS)
- National Environmental and Satellite and Data Information Services (NESDIS)
- Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
- Office of the Secretary (OSEC)/ Office of Education
In addition, we also service the following DOC Bureaus:
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- International Trade Administration (ITA)
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Contact us
NOAA Grants Management Division
1325 East-West Highway Building 2 (SSMC2), Suite 9348
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Directions to Silver Spring
webmaster.ago@noaa.gov