FY2024 Weather Program Office Data Assimilation Consortium | NOAA OAR WPO 2024 2007893

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR WPO 2024 2007893

The FY2024 Weather Program Office Data Assimilation Consortium opportunity is a NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Weather Program Office (WPO) funding competition designed to significantly strengthen U.S. capability in data assimilation, the set of methods used to combine observations with numerical models to produce the best possible estimate of the current state of the atmosphere and ocean. NOAA is seeking collaborative, multi-institution proposals that can stand up a multi-university consortium focused on advancing data assimilation research and education while building a durable, long-term partnership among the consortium, NOAA, and the broader weather enterprise. The practical goal is to accelerate improvements in numerical weather prediction by advancing data assimilation methodology used with the Unified Forecast System (UFS), NOAA's community modeling framework intended to support research-to-operations transitions across weather timescales.

Funding for the competition is described as approximately $7 million total over a three-year period beginning in FY2024, with an award ceiling listed at $7,000,000 and an expectation of two awards. NOAA indicates it will use either grants or cooperative agreements as the funding instruments, which signals that selected projects may involve substantial NOAA involvement and ongoing coordination, especially given the consortium and partnership emphasis. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and aligns with agency work spanning science and technology research and development, environmental applications, and education, reflecting that the consortium is expected to do more than publish papers; it is also expected to develop workforce capacity and create lasting collaboration structures that support NOAA mission needs.

The call is explicitly framed within two major federal policy drivers. First, it aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, specifically the section supporting oceanic and atmospheric research and forecasting for weather and climate, with an emphasis on accelerating advances in research, observing systems, modeling, forecasting, and assessments related to ocean and atmospheric processes affecting weather, coasts, oceans, and climate. Second, it aligns with the Weather Forecasting and Innovation Act of 2017, which encourages new and improved observing and forecasting applications, including improved analysis techniques. In other words, NOAA is positioning this consortium as a way to move faster on methodological and applied improvements that can translate into better forecasts and better use of the nation’s observational investments.

NOAA is particularly seeking projects that directly respond to the Data Assimilation priority areas identified in the NOAA Science Advisory Board Priorities for Weather Research (PWR) Report. Those areas include: (1) use and assimilation of existing observations, which generally means extracting more value from current satellite, radar, in situ, and other observation networks through better quality control, bias correction, and assimilation strategies; (2) advanced data assimilation methods, capabilities, and workforce, which points to next-generation algorithms, hybrid approaches, ensemble methods, coupling across Earth system components, scalable computing, and training the next cohort of specialists; and (3) observation gaps and the use and assimilation of new observations, which emphasizes identifying where current observations are insufficient and developing approaches to bring emerging sensors, novel data streams, or experimental measurements into operationally relevant assimilation systems. The repeated emphasis on UFS suggests that NOAA wants outcomes that are not isolated to bespoke models, but that can be demonstrated, shared, and potentially transitioned within a community framework used by NOAA and partners.

The opportunity also places a clear expectation on how proposers approach both proposal development and project execution. NOAA encourages applicants to align with NOAA core values, including diversity, inclusion, accessibility, civil rights, and scientific integrity. This is presented not as a side note, but as a meaningful part of how NOAA wants the consortium to operate, reflecting the view that a healthier and more inclusive research ecosystem improves creativity, productivity, and long-term vitality in the weather and water community. In practice, competitive proposals would likely describe concrete approaches to broadening participation, supporting early-career researchers and students, ensuring accessible collaboration and training structures, and maintaining strong scientific integrity and reproducibility in research outputs.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA, with CFDA listing 11.459. The funding opportunity number is NOAA OAR WPO 2024 2007893. The original posting date is July 26, 2023, with an original closing date of October 13, 2023. Eligibility is noted as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being provided in a separate eligibility text field in the full announcement. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted investment in a coordinated academic-led consortium that can deliver sustained progress in data assimilation science and workforce development, while staying tightly connected to NOAA operational priorities and the UFS pathway for improving national forecast capability.

• The Department of Commerce in the business and commerce, education, environment, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2024 Weather Program Office Data Assimilation Consortium" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.459.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 26, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 13, 2023. (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 $7,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA OAR WPO 2024 2007893

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