Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026

Background
The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Center 2026 grant opportunity is issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its Office of Coast Survey (OCS). This initiative aims to establish a cooperative agreement with an institution of higher education, as authorized by the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act.

The primary goal is to enhance the nation's capabilities in modern ocean and coastal mapping by developing, integrating, and operationalizing innovative technologies and workflows. The program emphasizes improving accessibility, interoperability, and usability of hydrographic and cartographic data while increasing efficiency in data acquisition, processing, and product delivery.

Grant Details
The grant will support a range of tasks aimed at advancing hydrographic data accessibility, interoperability, and reusability. Key program priorities include:
1) Advancing integration of multiple sensor technologies for improved operational efficiency;
2) Developing automated hydrographic data processing software;
3) Enhancing remote processing capabilities for hydrographic data;
4) Creating automated workflows for geospatial data to support marine navigation products;
5) Engaging with the maritime community for feedback on S-100 product suite visualization;
6) Improving coastal and marine data management frameworks;
7) Incorporating AI and machine learning into operational models for enhanced predictive skills;
8) Delivering training in hydrographic science at workforce levels.

The selected proposal will be structured as a cooperative agreement that includes NOAA's substantial involvement.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education in the United States. Applicants must complete registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons prior to submission. No cost sharing is required or desired under this program.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant will span five years, starting no earlier than October 1, 2026, and ending no later than September 30, 2031.

Grant Value
The total anticipated funding for this award is approximately $8,500,000.00 over five years, with approximately $1,600,000.00 allocated for FY 2026 and each subsequent year.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic location(s) where the grant activities will be performed have not been explicitly defined in the provided text.