Ocean Exploration (11.011)
Ocean Exploration (Assistance Listing 11.011) is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the Department of Commerce. It awarded $34.1 million in 35 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $974,967 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $460,455. Half of the 35 awards fell between $257,202 and $729,084, and they ranged from $15,000 to $17.4 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$34.1 million
- Grant awards35
- Typical award$460,455
- Awarded in FY 2025$550,000
- Size rank1,147 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $9.7 million in fiscal 2021 to $550,000 in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1147th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 98% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 19 states and territories.
What the program funds
To explore the Earth’s largely unknown oceans in all their dimensions for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge, using state of the art technologies in evolutionary and revolutionary ways within Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Past notices
Of 5 notices posted under this program since 2021, most went up in April (2), March (1) and May (1).
- NOAA-OAR-OER-2025-25557: Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Opportunity
- NOAA-OAR-OER-2024-2008070: Ocean Exploration Education Funding Opportunity Announcement
- NOAA-OAR-OER-2024-2007964: Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Opportunity
- NOAA-OAR-OER-2023-2007237: Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity
- NOAA-OAR-OER-2022-2006910: Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
As stated in NOAA special announcements or applicable reports in support of NOAA's mission.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Cooperative agreements and grants may be used for research and development, education and training, and advisory services. They may also be used for operational systems as they relate to specific programs. Specific restrictions, other than those mandated for grants and cooperative agreements are evaluated on an individual program basis.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. Please inquire with Federal Agency Representative.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Grants and cooperative agreements are awarded as applicable. For example, the Ocean Exploration Science Program sponsors competitive, peer-reviewed exploration projects to collaborate with and augment NOAA intramural research programs.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Ocean Exploration (11.011) awarded $34.1 million across 35 grant awards, an average of $974,967 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 67% of the money, colleges and universities 26% and state and local governments 2.6%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 10 | $22.7 million | 67% |
| Colleges and universities | 22 | $9.0 million | 26% |
| State and local governments | 1 | $883,898 | 2.6% |
| Businesses | 1 | $749,787 | 2.2% |
| Small businesses | 1 | $746,671 | 2.2% |
By state
5 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Washington and California.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 1 | $17.4 million |
| Maryland | 2 | $2.6 million |
| Florida | 4 | $2.3 million |
| Washington | 5 | $2.2 million |
| California | 3 | $2.0 million |
| Oregon | 1 | $883,898 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $786,368 |
| Colorado | 2 | $779,971 |
| Texas | 1 | $746,671 |
| Alaska | 1 | $739,660 |
| Michigan | 4 | $732,471 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $700,680 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $503,931 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $397,763 |
| New York | 2 | $377,875 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $374,145 |
| Maine | 1 | $310,738 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $258,314 |
| Illinois | 1 | $49,993 |