The Department of Commerce is seeking applications for its NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Education Mini-Grant Program to increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility order in ocean literacy, stewardship, and workforce development, particularly in inland and underserved communities.
Donor Name: Department of Commerce
Country: United States
State: All States
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 02/18/2022
Size of the Grant: $40,000
Grant Duration: 24 Months
Details:
The Ocean Acidification Program education mini-grant initiative, is a competitively based program that supports coastal and ocean acidification education programs that are responsive to the goals of the NOAA OA Education Implementation Plan and the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan. Priority goals include engaging diverse audiences in ocean acidification education and outreach, matching ocean acidification communication needs with existing research, education and outreach activities, while developing innovative approaches for community involvement.
Program Objective
The principal objective of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) education mini-grant competition is to provide federal financial assistance to develop ocean and coastal acidification education tools and programs in non-coastal communities. Ocean and coastal acidification are emerging issues that will have far reaching impacts on ocean health and long-term sustainability of ecosystems that support human populations. It is critical that educators have access to the latest science information and communication tools on these topics and are able to effectively share the science of ocean and coastal acidification, potential impacts, and positive actions to diverse audiences in an accessible format.
The education mini-grant program provides funding opportunities that respond to the four goals laid out in the NOAA Ocean Acidification Education Implementation Plan. In response to Goal 1, a comprehensive needs assessment has been conducted to determine strengths, weaknesses and gaps within the landscape of ocean acidification education and outreach programs. Competitive proposals will respond to the gaps identified by this needs assessment and/or respond to the other goals laid out in the NOAA Ocean Acidification Education Implementation Plan. These goals include (Goal 2) prioritize and engage target audiences for ocean acidification education and outreach, (Goal 3) match ocean acidification communication needs with existing research, education and outreach activities, and (Goal 4) develop innovative approaches for community involvement. As outlined in the NOAA Education Strategic Plan these activities will engage students, particularly from underrepresented groups and inland communities, to increase awareness and interest in education and career pathways in NOAA mission disciplines.
Program Priorities
- Projects in one or more of the areas below will fill those needs that were identified as highest priority in the NOAA OA Education Needs Assessment: (1) Education and outreach products that incorporate data interpretation and/or visualization; (2) Multimedia educational tools (such as video, infographics and apps); (3) Discrete hands-on lab modules that incorporate inquiry-based learning and align with Next Generation Science and/or Common Core Standards to be used in a formal education setting; (4) Protocol or tools for ocean acidification citizen science program.
- All projects must promote stronger connections between DEI&A and ocean and/or coastal acidification as it relates to ocean literacy, stewardship, or workforce development in the US, particularly in non-coastal and inland communities and with underserved audiences. Projects that incorporate NOAA or university-generated ocean acidification data, where applicable, are encouraged. Additionally, those that incorporate solutions that are locally and/or regionally relevant are also encouraged. It is recommended that the project proposed feature a collaboration between NOAA educators and/or scientists and educators/scientists from an entity external to NOAA, such as a minority serving institution.
- NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages applications involving women and minority individuals and groups. In addition, NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in under-served areas.
- NOAA encourages applications involving any of the above institutions to apply.
Funding Information
- This solicitation announces that up to $300,000 may be available in FY 2022 in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds.
- They anticipate funding between 3-8 awards depending on award size and appropriations. Individual awards are limited to a maximum of $40,000 for no more than a 24 month period.
Project/Award Period
Applicants may submit multi-year applications covering a 12 to 24-month period with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2022. FY 2022 funding is expected to cover 12 months of any multi-year grant. Subsequent funding is contingent on the availability of out year funding in FY 2022 and performance under the current award.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are United States institutions of higher education; other nonprofits; commercial organizations; state, local and Indian tribal governments; and Federal agencies. Applications from non-Federal and Federal applicants will be competed against each other. Proposals selected for funding from non-Federal applicants will be funded through a grant. Proposals selected for funding from NOAA scientists shall be effected by an intra-agency fund transfer. Proposals selected for funding from a non-NOAA Federal agency will be funded through an inter-agency transfer.
Note: Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate, with a statement from appropriate agency counsel, that they have legal authority to receive funds from another Federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 USC 1535) is not an appropriate legal basis.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
