New Funding Opportunity for Ocean Technology Innovation

In FY 2026, the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Office, in conjunction with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), will accept applications to accelerate the transition of advanced coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes observing technologies to operations mode. Technologies which support developing and improving observation, sensors, and information capabilities for chemical, biological, and physical parameters at multiple spatial and temporal scales to monitor changing conditions in the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes will be considered. 

The NOPP facilitates partnerships between Federal agencies, academia, and industry to advance ocean science research and education. Through this collaboration, Federal agencies can leverage resources to invest in priorities that fall between agency missions or that are too large for any single agency to support, and partnerships may include non-government sectors. 

A current OTT project is deploying low-cost dissolved oxygen sensors on traps in the Pacific Northwest, providing fishermen with near real-time oxygen conditions that help them manage their traps while also providing valuable observing data to other fishermen, the scientific community, fisheries managers and policy makers. Photo credit: Pat Kemmish, F/V Richard H 

The U.S. IOOS is announcing a new $7.5 million funding opportunity in 2026 to accelerate the transition of novel ocean technologies from development to implementation and commercialization. The IOOS Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) program seeks out technologies that are at a prototype stage, and for which there is known need, but which are not yet ready for operational deployment. 

Program priorities include: 

  • sensors for physical, biological, or chemical parameters, especially low-cost or accessible ocean technology sensors; 
  • use of cloud-based technologies and platforms and the use of artificial intelligence for analysis and quality assurance/quality control; 
  • use of novel autonomous vehicles/platforms; 
  • harmful algal bloom sensors and sensor platforms including deployment of sensors on new platforms; 
  • environmental DNA samplers and systems to improve the efficiency of sample collection;
  • sensors for ocean acidification related measurements; 
  • high frequency radar (HFR) use impact and metrics, development, and improvement; and, 
  • novel data management, analytics, and integration to improve service delivery to customers. 

Ocean and coastal data and information is increasingly in demand, critical for things like weather forecasting, port operations, national security, seafood operations, water quality management and much more. OTT enables a more widespread and deeper understanding of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes by sponsoring technologies that address known gaps and needs, expanding opportunities for gathering vital data and increasing tools available to end users to support research, further development, and decision making. 

U.S. IOOS anticipates making up to six awards for up to $400,000 per year per project, for projects lasting between one and three years subject to availability of funds. Letters of intent are recommended, but not required, and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EDT) on April 27, 2026. Full applications are due by 11:59 PM (EDT) on July 15, 2026. 

Key Dates 

NOFO Publication Date: March 12, 2026 
Letters of Intent (recommended but not required) submission deadline: 11:59 PM EDT, April 27, 2026 
Full Application submission deadline: 11:59 PM EDT, July 15, 2026 
Anticipated selection notification date: September 2026 

Additional Information 

Access the full funding opportunity on grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361483 
Find additional information on the IOOS funding opportunities page 
Find out more about OTT on the program page