Competition for a Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System | NOAA OAR CIPO 2018 2005422

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR CIPO 2018 2005422

The Department of Commerce, through NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), is seeking applications to create a new Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System. The core purpose of the institute is to strengthen and extend the modeling work of NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) so NOAA can better understand and predict changes in the atmosphere, oceans, coastal systems, and the broader Earth system across a wide range of time scales. The opportunity is framed around the idea that modern forecasting and climate projection depends on advanced numerical models that represent not only physical and dynamical processes, but also chemical, biogeochemical, and ecological interactions that shape how the Earth system evolves.

A central theme of the announcement is that current coupled climate models are not yet good enough, especially for predictions that bridge the "weather-to-climate" continuum. NOAA is emphasizing the need for major improvements in models used for subseasonal, seasonal, interannual, decadal, and longer time horizons. The institute is expected to support fundamental research that improves how models represent key processes and interactions, because weaknesses in those representations limit both scientific understanding and operational predictability. This includes better handling of extremes, variability, and long-term change, and it reflects broader national guidance, including the National Research Council's 2012 recommendation to advance climate modeling across the full spectrum from weather through multidecadal scales.

The scope explicitly includes both internal (unforced) variability of the Earth system and externally driven change from natural and human causes. The institute's research should account for natural and anthropogenic forcings and also incorporate regional contributions and feedbacks that can amplify or dampen impacts. In practical terms, this means the institute is not just expected to run models, but to push the science of why the system varies, how it responds to different drivers, and how those responses unfold over time at global and regional scales. The IPCC framing referenced in the announcement reinforces that the work should connect mechanisms, forcings, feedbacks, and observed outcomes in a coherent way.

Another major expectation is an Earth system view that fully integrates ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. NOAA is making clear that it is not enough to model the physics of air-sea interactions or atmospheric circulation alone; the institute should address how climate variations and changes affect terrestrial and ocean ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling, and also how ecosystems can feed back on climate. That two-way coupling, especially when it matters for regional impacts, is described as imperative in the context of whole Earth system science and applications. The institute is therefore expected to have strong capabilities grounded in physics, dynamics, chemistry, biogeochemistry, and ecological principles, rather than treating these as add-ons.

The cooperative institute is also expected to make strong use of observational resources. The announcement highlights leveraging NOAA and national observing programs to inform, test, and improve models, which implies an emphasis on evaluation, data-model comparison, and process understanding tied to real-world measurements. The overall direction is mission-driven: the modeling advances should support NOAA objectives laid out in its Next Generation Strategic Plan, meaning the institute's work should be relevant to NOAA's broader responsibilities for environmental prediction, climate services, and understanding changing ocean and coastal conditions.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically means substantial involvement by the federal partner in shaping and coordinating the work. The funding opportunity number is NOAA OAR CIPO 2018 2005422 under CFDA 11.432. NOAA anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of $10,000,000. The opportunity was originally posted with a creation date of December 18, 2017, and an original closing date of February 13, 2018. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with details referenced in the opportunity's eligibility text, signaling that applicants likely needed to fit specific institutional criteria typical of NOAA Cooperative Institutes (often involving universities or consortia with demonstrated research capacity and collaborative infrastructure).

• 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 "Competition for a Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System" 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 Dec 18, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 13, 2018. (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 $10,000,000.00 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 OAR CIPO 2018 2005422

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