Biological Oceanography

The Biological Oceanography (BioOce) Program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), supports fundamental scientific research in marine biology and ecology. As part of the Division of Ocean Sciences within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), this program aims to deepen our understanding of marine ecosystems, ranging from estuarine and coastal zones to the deep sea, including the Great Lakes. NSF is a federal agency that promotes the progress of science through funding research and education across all fields of science and engineering. With a specific focus on population, community, and ecosystem ecology within oceanographic contexts, the BioOce program is designed to support projects that can significantly enhance our knowledge of marine systems. This program encourages proposals that integrate interdisciplinary methods, and it often co-reviews and co-funds initiatives in collaboration with other programs both within the Division of Ocean Sciences and across the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). Applicants are encouraged to consult the "Additional Program Information" and "What Has Been Funded" sections to explore specific examples of previously supported projects. The program accepts a broad array of proposals, including standard research projects as well as supplements, RAPID (Rapid Response Research), and EAGER (Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research) proposals. NSF requires that all applications comply with the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), and proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Applicants must ensure compliance with formatting and procedural requirements outlined in the respective submission guides. While the application process itself is straightforward, proposers are responsible for ensuring their submissions meet all requirements prior to the applicable target date. Submitting early does not waive compliance obligations. The BioOce program accepts full proposals on a semiannual basis, with target dates falling on February 17 and August 17 in 2026. Thereafter, the recurring annual deadlines are February 15 and August 15. These dates function as target dates rather than strict deadlines, which means that submissions close to the listed dates are generally acceptable, but proposers are advised to adhere closely to them to ensure timely review. No pre-application steps, such as letters of intent or concept papers, are required to initiate a submission. Awards are made through a peer-review process, and selected projects are assessed based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, consistent with NSF’s evaluation framework. Specific information regarding award timelines, funding amounts, and performance periods is not disclosed in the solicitation, and applicants are encouraged to contact program officers for clarification or assistance. Program officers for BioOce include Jayne Gardiner (jgardine@nsf.gov, 703-292-4828), Stephanie Kamel (skamel@nsf.gov, 703-292-4753), and Cynthia L. Suchman (csuchman@nsf.gov, 703-292-2092). These contacts provide guidance and answer technical or eligibility-related inquiries. The program’s recurrence indicates a consistent funding opportunity for biological oceanography researchers in future years.