The Integrated Ocean Observing System, IOOS, program achieves its objectives by funding organizations through a competitive process. Organizations can find and apply for federal funding opportunities at http://grants.gov.
Before you apply for a grant, familiarize yourself with http://grants.gov, the registration process and the types of forms you may be required to submit as part of your application package.
What Are the Steps for Applying for Funds through Grants.gov?
What Forms are Reguired to Apply for Funding through Grants.gov?
How Do I Fill Out These Forms?
All proposals submitted to IOOS under NOAA's Omnibus Notice must include completed forms. Most forms will be provided on Grants.gov, however, some forms are relevant to only certain organizations. Refer to the section below on how to complete forms and especially the forms checklist for guidance on which forms your organization must complete. Forms will be provided in the downloadable “grants application package” found on Grants.gov. The following list of forms is provided as a reference, however, if you find that there are newer or modified forms a part of the application package on Grants.gov, use those forms versus the versions of the forms referenced below:
SF-424 – Application and instructions for Federal Assistance (PDF)
SF-424A – Budget Information (PDF) (OMB version with instructions - content is same as Grants.gov form)
SF-424B – Assurances (PDF)
CD-511 – Certifications required by the Department of Commerce (PDF)
SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activity (PDF) – Please remember to submit this form with your proposal ONLY IF your organization is engaged in lobbying activities.
CD-346 – Applicant for Funding Assistance (PDF) (required only from nonprofit or for profit organizations; universities and state/local government agencies are not required to complete this form).
To help you complete the grants and cooperative agreement application package, we have provided a forms checklist (PDF) that you can refer to as you work on Grants.gov.
Grant forms can be confusing. This guidance (PDF) will help answer frequently asked questions, address common mistakes made on certain forms, and explain terminology used for budget preparation.
It is important that the budget information you provide on the SF-424 and SF-424A be consistent with the brief budget information presented in the project narrative and with detailed budget information provided in a budget appendix. Detailed budget information presented in an appendix should, at a minimum, restate and further explain the information presented on form SF-424A.
Review Checklist (pdf 26kb) - Guidance on how to prepare detailed budget justificationOnce familiar with the basics of http://grants.gov and what may be required as part of a proposal, it is time to apply for funding.
What Announcements are Presently Open?
Letters of Intent Due - N/A
Proposal Deadline - 5:00 PM EDT, February 28, 2013
Earliest Start Date - If found meritorious, generally 3 to 6 months after submission
This federal funding opportunity (FFO) notice requests proposals from which NOAA will competitively identify a non-Federal partner that will continue to advance the operation of the U.S. IOOS COMT under a community modeling environment. Specifically, this announcement seeks an applicant that can transition specific models, tools and techniques from research to operations. When fully implemented, IOOS aims to estimate the past, present and future states of the oceans, coasts and Great Lakes for addressing the societal goals enhancing lives and livelihoods.
This is the Supplemental Information Sheet(pdf) referenced in the COMT FFO.
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Letters of Intent Due - N/A
Proposal Deadline - 11:59 PM EDT, September 30, 2013
Earliest Start Date - If found meritorious, generally 3 to 6 months after submission.
NOAA's Broad Area Announcement (pdf)
The notice requests proposals for special projects and programs associated with NOAA's strategic plan and mission goals. This BAA is a mechanism to encourage research, education and outreach, innovative projects, or sponsorships that are not addressed through NOAA competitive discretionary programs. It is not a mechanism for awarding Congressionally directed funds. Funds have not yet been appropriated for any proposed activities in this notice. Refer to Section V, Part B (page 11), in the announcement for detailed information on the Review and Selection Process.
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Grant applications should be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. Applicants without Internet access may submit hard copy application packages if that option is stated in the federal funding opportunity announcement.
Accepting a grant places a huge fiduciary responsibility on a recipient. The following training materials, links and resources are intended to provide some general guidance on grants administration. However, recipients are required to know the terms and conditions applicable to their particular grant. Communicate specific questions and concerns to the federal program officer and grants management specialist listed in the award document.
Grants Management Webinar - Information about the lifecycle of a grant from funding announcement through closeout in an effort to clarify expectations and highlight pitfalls to avoid throughout the process.
Federal Financial Report (SF-425) - The FFR, Standard Form (SF) 425 was designed to replace the Financial Status Report (SF269) and the Federal Cash Transactions Report (SF272) with one comprehensive financial reporting form. Guidance on how to use the SF425 is coming soon to the Federal Financial Reports training link in Grants Online.
Source: http://www.ago.noaa.gov/ago/grants/forms.cfm
Performance progress reports ("progress reports") are necessary to provide U.S.IOOS with information and data regarding the extent to which grant recipients have met their program goals and objectives. Progress reports also allow the program office to anticipate upcoming administrative actions.
IOOS Guidance on Performance Progress Reports, Aug 23, 2012 (pdf)
2 CFR Part 215 (A-110) - Uniform Administrative Requirements (Higher Education, Non-Profits) – Governs the requirements placed on awarding agencies and the grantee with regard to the successful management of federal funds pre-award, post-award and during the close out process: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/circulars/a110/2cfr215-0.pdf
2 CFR Part 230 (A-122) - Cost Principles for Non-Profits - Establishes the rules for determining what costs are allowable for grants, contracts and other agreements with non-profits: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/fedreg/2005/083105_a122.pdf
2 CFR Parts 220 (A-21) - Cost Principles for Institutions of Higher Education - Establishes the rules for determining what costs are allowable for grants, contracts and other agreements with colleges and universities: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/fedreg/2005/083105_a21.pdf
Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) - A mechanism for recipients to draw-down federal funds: http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/grantsonline/Documents/
ASAP_Enrollment_and_Certification.pdf
Circular A-133 - Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations – Sets forth standards for obtaining consistency and uniformity in the administration of grants: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/circulars/a133/a133.pdf
DOC Terms & Conditions - Terms and conditions associated with every grant under DOC: http://oam.eas.commerce.gov/docs/GRANTS/DOC%20STCsMAR08Rev.pdf
Equipment Disposition - Information and instructions when equipment was purchased with federal funds for the project ( Refer to 2 CFR 215.34(g): http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/circulars/a110/2cfr215-0.pdf
Glossary/Acronyms - Contained within the Grants manual providing a list of commonly used terms and acronyms: http://oam.eas.commerce.gov/docs/Ch3%20Glossary%20%5brevised%20June%202007%5d.pdf
Grants Online Training - Provides a common understanding of the framework for the administration of grants and cooperative agreements within which DOC staff and responsible recipient officials must operate: http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/grantsonline/gol_training.html
NOAA Administrative Standard Award Conditions - Award conditions associated with every NOAA grant (Updated October 2010): funding_noaa_admin_condtnsoct 2010.pdf
Grants Administration:
Regina Evans
(301) 427-2422
regina.evans@noaa.gov
Technical Support:
Gabrielle Canonico
(301) 427-2428
gabrielle.canonico@noaa.gov
Dave Easter
(301) 427-2451
dave.easter@noaa.gov
Jenifer Rhoades
(301) 427-2442
jenifer.rhoades@noaa.gov