NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Education Mini-Grant Program | NOAA OAR OAP 2022 2007166

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR OAP 2022 2007166

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Education Mini-Grant Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA) designed to support education and outreach efforts focused on ocean and coastal acidification. The program is meant to fund practical, public-facing projects that help people better understand ocean acidification, why it matters, and how communities can respond. It is explicitly aligned with two guiding frameworks: the NOAA Ocean Acidification (OA) Education Implementation Plan and the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan, meaning proposals are expected to connect their activities to NOAA's longer-term education goals rather than operating as standalone awareness campaigns.

A central emphasis of this mini-grant program is reaching diverse audiences and improving how ocean acidification science is communicated outside of research circles. NOAA is looking for projects that deliberately connect communication needs to existing research, education, and outreach efforts, which often means translating current findings into accessible learning experiences, toolkits, events, curricula, or community programs. Another major priority is innovation in community involvement, so strong proposals typically go beyond one-way information delivery and instead create ways for participants to engage, contribute, or apply the information in local decision-making, stewardship, or problem-solving.

Equity and access are not side themes in this opportunity; they are core selection priorities. The program is part of NOAA's broader effort to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), as referenced through the federal executive order on DEIA in the workforce. In practice, that focus shows up in the encouragement to serve inland and underserved communities, not only coastal populations, and to strengthen ocean literacy, stewardship, and workforce development pathways for groups that have historically been left out of marine and environmental education opportunities. Projects that remove barriers to participation, such as language access, cultural relevance, disability accessibility, or cost and transportation constraints, fit the stated intent of the program.

From a basic funding and administrative standpoint, this opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development area. The funding opportunity number is NOAA OAR OAP 2022 2007166, and the CFDA number listed is 11.017. Awards are relatively small by federal standards, with an award ceiling of $40,000 and an expected total of about 10 awards, reinforcing that this is intended for targeted, high-impact mini-projects rather than large multi-year initiatives. The opportunity was created on December 20, 2021, with an original application deadline of February 18, 2022. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional details referenced in the official eligibility text, suggesting a range of organizations may apply depending on NOAA's specific criteria in the full notice.

Overall, the mini-grant program can be understood as NOAA's way of seeding localized or community-centered ocean acidification education efforts that are evidence-based, audience-responsive, and designed to broaden participation in ocean science learning. The strongest fit is typically a project that clearly ties to NOAA education strategies, uses credible science, is built with community needs in mind, and intentionally advances inclusive access to ocean literacy and related career or stewardship pathways.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Education Mini-Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 20, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 18, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA OAR OAP 2022 2007166

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