Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies | NOAA NESDIS NESDISPO 2020 2006307

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NESDIS NESDISPO 2020 2006307

The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies is a NOAA NESDIS funding opportunity to create a single, nationally focused Cooperative Institute that advances satellite-based weather and environmental science and helps move new satellite products into real operational use. NOAA is looking to establish the institute at a research institution with a strong graduate program in NOAA-relevant sciences, with the expectation that the institute will work closely with federal scientists and staff in the NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR), specifically the Advanced Satellite Products Branch located in Madison, Wisconsin. While the institute can include multiple member institutions and partners, NOAA will make only one cooperative agreement award to the lead institution where the Cooperative Institute is formally established, and that lead institution would be responsible for coordinating resources and collaboration across any non-governmental partners.

The scientific scope centers on satellite meteorology and the broader use of satellite observations for weather and environmental analysis. A major emphasis is on retrieving key geophysical variables from satellite measurements, including temperature and moisture profiles, precipitation, aerosols and clouds, trace gases, snow and ice, volcanic ash, fires and smoke, and winds. The work is expected to cover the full lifecycle of satellite product development and improvement, including calibration of satellite measurements, creation of new algorithms and derived products, validation and performance assessment of those products, and exploration of methods that blend satellite information with in situ observations. The institute is also expected to support the creation of satellite-derived climate data records and to strengthen the use of satellite data within numerical weather prediction and Earth system modeling through data assimilation research and development.

A defining feature of the opportunity is its focus on operational relevance and user engagement. NOAA is explicitly looking for an institute that not only conducts research but also works with end users to improve the practical application of satellite products in operational settings. Examples called out include numerical weather prediction and air quality prediction, ice analysis, volcanic hazard monitoring, and severe weather detection. In other words, success is tied to producing satellite products and techniques that can be trusted, validated, and integrated into real decision-making systems and operational workflows, not just demonstrated in research mode.

The opportunity also highlights a growing challenge and priority for NOAA: data stewardship and managing the coming surge of environmental data over the next decade. The Cooperative Institute is expected to develop and test improved approaches for storing, accessing, and disseminating experimental and demonstration datasets maintained by NOAA, with the goal of making these datasets more usable by the broader community. Because the satellite and in situ data volume will expand significantly, the institute is expected to contribute to better systems for data quality control, management, processing, large-scale analysis, assimilation, modeling, and overall availability. This includes adopting and advancing modern technical approaches such as cloud computing, machine learning, and other computational intelligence methods to make “big data” usable for NOAA mission outcomes. For that reason, NOAA indicates the institute should have strong facilities and expertise not only in atmospheric and satellite science but also in technology areas like information technology and systems engineering.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the Department of Commerce under NOAA NESDIS, using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning NOAA anticipates substantial involvement with the awardee during performance. The CFDA number is 11.432. NOAA expected to make one award, with an award ceiling listed as $150,000,000. The original posting dates indicate it was created on November 6, 2019 with an original closing date of January 8, 2020. The eligibility category is listed broadly as “Others,” with clarification referenced in the full eligibility text of the announcement. Overall, the opportunity is designed to build a long-term, workforce-developing partnership that strengthens satellite product science, accelerates transition to operations, and modernizes data stewardship and computational methods in support of NOAA’s weather and environmental mission.

• 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 "Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.432.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 06, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 08, 2020. (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 $150,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA NESDIS NESDISPO 2020 2006307

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