Climate Program Office Earth System Science and Services Partnership (US)

Deadline: 26-Oct-2026

The Earth System Science and Services Partnership (ESSSP) provides cooperative agreement funding to academic and non-profit research institutions for collaborative research and activities aligned with NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in Earth’s systems. The partnership supports work focused on the atmosphere, oceans, coasts, land, and ice, as well as the interconnected effects of changes in these systems on ecosystems, weather, hazards, communities, and infrastructure. Supported activities may include research and analysis, observations and monitoring, numerical modelling, data impact evaluations, service development, and stakeholder engagement. Individual grants range from $1 million to $10 million, with total anticipated NOAA funding for the ESSSP of approximately $10 million.

About the Earth System Science and Services Partnership

The ESSSP is designed to strengthen collaborative research and related activities that advance NOAA’s understanding and prediction of changes across Earth’s interconnected systems. The partnership brings together academic and non-profit research institutions working in NOAA-related sciences. Research and service activities can address interactions among different components of the Earth system and their effects on natural and human environments. What Does the ESSSP Support? The partnership can support collaborative activities that contribute to scientific knowledge and improve services related to NOAA’s mission.

Potential activities include:

- Research and analysis. - Observations and monitoring. - Data impact evaluations. - Numerical modelling. - Service development. - Stakeholder engagement. These activities are intended to enhance understanding of Earth’s systems while supporting the development and delivery of relevant scientific services. Earth Systems Covered by the Partnership The ESSSP focuses on interconnected Earth system components, including: - Atmosphere. - Oceans. - Coasts. - Land. - Ice. The programme also considers how changes in these systems affect: - Ecosystems. - Weather. - Hazards. - Communities. - Infrastructure. This interconnected approach reflects the relationship between environmental processes and their impacts on natural and human systems. Research and Analysis Research and analysis activities can contribute to improved understanding of changes occurring within Earth’s systems. Supported work can examine scientific questions relevant to NOAA-related sciences and contribute to knowledge that can improve the understanding and prediction of environmental changes. Observations and Monitoring Observations and monitoring are another area of activity supported through the partnership. These activities can help generate information about Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, coasts, land, and ice and contribute to scientific assessment and prediction. Data Impact Evaluations The ESSSP also supports data impact evaluations. These activities focus on understanding the value and effects of data within NOAA-related scientific and service activities. Numerical Modelling Numerical modelling is included among the activities that may be supported. Modelling can contribute to the scientific understanding and prediction of changes within interconnected Earth systems. Service Development The partnership can support service development related to NOAA’s scientific mission. These activities are intended to help translate scientific knowledge and research into services that can support relevant users and stakeholders. Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder engagement is also included among the potential collaborative activities. Engagement can help connect research and scientific services with the needs and interests of relevant stakeholders working with NOAA-related sciences. How Much Funding Is Available?

The ESSSP provides grants ranging from:

- Minimum award: $1,000,000

- Maximum award: $10,000,000

- Total anticipated NOAA funding: Approximately $10,000,000

The total anticipated funding is approximately $10 million for the ESSSP, while individual cooperative agreement awards can range from $1 million to $10 million. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Academic institutions of higher learning that offer doctoral degrees in NOAA-related sciences. - Consortia of eligible academic institutions. - Non-profit research institutions. Applicants must fall within one of the eligible categories described for the partnership.

Eligibility for Academic Institutions

Academic institutions of higher learning are eligible if they offer doctoral degrees in NOAA-related sciences. This requirement connects the partnership with institutions that have established doctoral-level academic and research capabilities in relevant scientific fields.

Eligibility for Consortia

Consortia made up of eligible academic institutions can also apply. The consortium must consist of academic institutions that meet the specified eligibility requirements, including offering doctoral degrees in NOAA-related sciences.

Eligibility for Non-Profit Research Institutions

Non-profit research institutions are also eligible to apply. Their activities should align with the scientific and service objectives of the ESSSP and NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in Earth’s systems. Multi-Institution Applications Although consortia of eligible academic institutions are included among eligible applicants, multi-institution applications will not be accepted. Applicants should therefore pay close attention to the application structure and eligibility requirements when preparing a proposal. What Should Proposed Activities Address? Proposed activities should align with NOAA’s mission and contribute to understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s systems. Projects can address scientific research, observations, modelling, data evaluation, service development, or stakeholder engagement where these activities contribute to NOAA-related sciences. Applicants should cl