Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) Program

Background
The Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) Program is an initiative by the National Weather Service (NWS) Office of Science and Technology Integration (OSTI) to conduct research and development activities. The program aims to create a cost-effective transition from basic and applied research to operations and services through collaborative research between operational forecasters and academic institutions with expertise in environmental, social, and behavioral sciences.

Grant Details
The program focuses on research and development topics related to the improvement of weather, water, and climate services to historically underserved and socially vulnerable communities. It seeks proposals for developing innovative methodologies to assess the needs, vulnerabilities, and challenges of these communities with respect to extreme events; methods of communicating risk communication; incorporating social and behavioral science knowledge; identifying and enhancing NWS services for these communities; conducting economic valuation studies; assessing human behavior and response to weather forecasts; and developing meaningful metrics to gauge the success of NWS education and outreach efforts.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are United States institutions of higher education. Collaboration with principal investigators at different institutes is allowed, but there must be a single application from a lead university with sub-awards to any participants from other institutions. Federal government employees and federal contractors are not allowed to be listed as principal investigators or receive funding.

Period of Performance
Projects are to be conducted for a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year period, with an anticipated start date of May 1, 2022 unless otherwise directed. The total funding amount available is estimated to be $800,000 per year. Individual annual awards are limited to a maximum of $150,000 total per year for no more than three years.

Grant Value
There is one grant competition under this announcement valued at approximately $800,000 for five to seven new projects.