The NOAA's Notice of Funding Opportunity (FY25 NOFO) aims to simplify the federal funding process for applicants, addressing related challenges. The document provides critical guidance for federal institutions, cooperative institutes, and applicants, including steps for proposal submission, budget structuring, and compliance with diversity, equity, and inclusion standards. Specifically highlighted are requirements for submitting Letters of Intent, completing proposal forms, and acknowledging NOAA's readiness levels, which categorize research projects based on maturity stages. NOAA emphasizes collaboration, particularly with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and encourages student involvement in projects. Additionally, the procedures for using human subjects and seeking invention disclosures are outlined, ensuring regulatory compliance. The document underscores the transition of research outputs into practical applications while fostering an inclusive environment. As part of the broader RFPs and grants framework, this NOFO reflects NOAA's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and operational improvements in weather and water research.

The NOAA Grants Management Division provides budget narrative guidance for federal and non-federal expenditure reporting in grant applications. Applicants must detail and justify costs using SF-424A for non-construction and SF-424C for construction awards, ensuring consistency across forms. Each expense category, including personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, construction, and other costs, must be explicitly explained with calculations backed by narratives. Specific requirements include justifications for personnel-related wages, detailed descriptions of travel expenditures, and equipment usage aligned with program objectives. Additionally, guidelines for indirect costs, including fixed and provisional rates, emphasize transparency in financial practices. Organizations must document any required matching funds thoroughly. Regular updates to this guidance reflect the intent to standardize cost reporting and adherence to federal regulations, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of grant proposals. This document, effective as of May 24, 2017, underlines the importance of detailed financial disclosures to support the funding process in various government grants and procurement initiatives.

The WPO Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides guidelines for submitting project abstracts within federal research and development grants. The expected abstract should encompass a project title, goals, problem statements, methodology, products, expected outcomes, and intended beneficiaries, each articulated in 50 words or less. A sample abstract demonstrates this structure, focusing on a project aimed at understanding public risk perceptions related to extreme weather. This example outlines the project's objectives, research methods such as surveys and interviews, anticipated outputs like best practice reports, and ultimate benefits, including improved community resilience and public safety. The NOFO emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and relevance in presenting project information to track and communicate its significance effectively. Overall, this guidance is critical for organizations seeking funding and aiming to make impactful contributions to society.

The NOAA Weather Program Office (WPO) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for fiscal year 2025, focusing on testbed collaborations. The memorandum serves as a coordination form for federal collaboration in developing proposals related to weather research. It requires the acknowledgment of involvement with principal investigators and outlines the collaborative roles, including coordinating testbed and relevant activities. Interested parties must specify their contributions and can provide additional comments or concerns regarding the collaboration. The document underscores the necessity for aligned infrastructure costs and plans, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in advancing weather-related research projects funded by federal grants and requests for proposals.

The NOAA's Weather Program Office (WPO) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY25, requiring applicants to include a Standard Form for Underserved Groups Information. The purpose of this form is to support WPO's commitment to fostering a diverse scientific research community without considering the underserved status of applicants during the evaluation process. Named investigators must identify if they belong to specific underserved groups as designated by Executive Order 13985, including various racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and others facing socio-economic challenges. Applicants must comply with paperwork regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the form's completion is estimated to take around 5 minutes. Feedback on the information collection process is welcome. Overall, this funding opportunity reflects NOAA’s strategic focus on inclusivity in scientific research while ensuring a fair selection process.