Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019432
The Seabed Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization in the Pacific opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019432) is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), specifically the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs (OPA). It is a discretionary funding opportunity that will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the Department of State expects to have an active role in shaping the work during the period of performance (for example, coordinating priorities, ensuring alignment with U.S. foreign policy and partner-country needs, and helping facilitate connections with relevant stakeholders).
The core purpose is to support practical ocean science work in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Funded activities are centered on ocean mapping and seabed exploration, along with habitat and resource characterization. In plain terms, this can include generating or improving seafloor maps, collecting data that helps describe what is on or under the seabed, and documenting habitats and associated resources. The opportunity also explicitly emphasizes data management and analysis, signaling that proposals should not stop at field collection alone, but should include strong plans for processing, quality control, archiving, and making the resulting datasets usable for decision-making and future research.
Eligibility is aimed at U.S.-based entities. The notice describes eligible applicants as U.S.-based for-profit organizations or businesses, U.S.-based public or private educational institutions (including state institutions), and U.S.-based nonprofits (including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations), with or without 501(c)(3) status. The listing in the source data also references nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) under the eligible applicants field, so applicants should pay close attention to the specific eligibility language in the full announcement (including the section referenced as B.1) to ensure their organizational type fits the program rules as published.
Financially, the opportunity has an award ceiling of $7,000,000, and the Department of State anticipates making 2 awards. The CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with the program is 19.017, and the activity category is Environment, which fits the emphasis on ocean and seabed science as a foundation for environmental understanding, sustainable management, and informed policy in the Pacific region. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-22, and the original application deadline is 2026-08-14, which gives applicants a relatively defined window to assemble a technically credible plan, partnerships, and budget.
Overall, a competitive application would be expected to present a well-integrated approach that links at-sea or remote surveying work with clear scientific and practical outputs for PIC partners: credible methods for mapping and characterization, a realistic operational plan for working in Pacific geographies, and a robust data management strategy that explains how information will be processed, stored, analyzed, and ultimately delivered in formats that are useful to stakeholders.Apply for DFOP0019432
- The Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Seabed Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization in the Pacific" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (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: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: Seabed Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization in the Pacific (DFOP0019432)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State discretionary grant competition titled "Seabed Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization in the Pacific." The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is DFOP0019432, and it is associated with Assistance Listing (CFDA) 19.017.
Which U.S. government office is running the competition?
The program is run through the Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), specifically the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs (OPA).
What type of award will be made?
The Department of State expects to make awards as a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically means the Department anticipates an active role during the period of performance (for example, coordinating priorities, ensuring alignment with U.S. foreign policy and partner-country needs, and helping facilitate connections with relevant stakeholders).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to support practical ocean science work in Pacific Island Countries (PICs), centered on seabed mapping, seabed exploration, and habitat/resource characterization.
What kinds of activities does the opportunity support?
Funded activities are focused on ocean mapping and seabed exploration, along with habitat and resource characterization. Examples described in the opportunity include generating or improving seafloor maps, collecting data to describe what is on or under the seabed, and documenting habitats and associated resources.
Is the program only about collecting field data?
No. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes data management and analysis. Proposals are expected to go beyond field collection and include plans for processing, quality control, archiving, and making the resulting datasets usable for decision-making and future research.
Where will the work take place?
The work is intended to support practical ocean science activities in Pacific Island Countries (PICs), meaning proposed mapping, exploration, and characterization efforts should be relevant to Pacific geographies and PIC partner needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed at U.S.-based entities. The notice describes eligible applicants as U.S.-based for-profit organizations or businesses, U.S.-based public or private educational institutions (including state institutions), and U.S.-based nonprofits (including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations), with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Does an applicant need 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
The opportunity description indicates U.S.-based nonprofits may be eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status. However, the source listing also references nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) under the eligible applicants field, so applicants should closely review the specific eligibility language in the full announcement (including the section referenced as B.1) to confirm requirements for their organizational type.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $7,000,000.
How many awards does the Department of State expect to make?
The Department of State anticipates making 2 awards.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Environment, consistent with the focus on ocean and seabed science to support environmental understanding, sustainable management, and informed policy in the Pacific region.
What is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is 2026-08-14.
When was the opportunity created or posted?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-22.
What does the program seem to expect from a competitive proposal?
Based on the opportunity description, a competitive application would likely present an integrated approach that links at-sea or remote surveying work to clear scientific and practical outputs for PIC partners. It should include credible methods for mapping and characterization, a realistic operational plan for working in Pacific geographies, and a strong data management strategy describing processing, storage, analysis, and delivery of usable datasets to stakeholders.
How involved will the Department of State be if awarded?
Because the award instrument is a cooperative agreement, the Department of State expects to have an active role during the period of performance, such as coordinating priorities, ensuring alignment with U.S. foreign policy and partner-country needs, and facilitating connections with relevant stakeholders.
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