CDDRR Capacity Development for Weather, Water, and Climate Forecasting and Disaster Risk Reduction | NOAA NWS NWSPO 2021 2006845

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NWS NWSPO 2021 2006845

The CDDRR Capacity Development for Weather, Water, and Climate Forecasting and Disaster Risk Reduction opportunity is a NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Office of International Affairs-led cooperative agreement focused on strengthening national capabilities for forecasting and disaster risk reduction around the world, with an emphasis on developing countries. The central purpose is to improve how operational meteorological services, hydrological services, and disaster or emergency management agencies perform day to day, particularly in ways that lead to better decision support and more effective early warning for hazards. The program is built around practical collaboration between operational forecasters and hydrologists, researchers, and multidisciplinary experts (including environmental, economic, and social/behavioral science perspectives) so that improvements are not just technical, but also usable, communicated well, and aligned with how people and institutions actually make decisions during weather and water emergencies.

A key theme of the opportunity is “capacity development,” meaning sustained strengthening of institutions and staff through hands-on technology transfer, structured training, and implementation support rather than one-off workshops. NOAA signals that successful work under this award should directly contribute to end-to-end, people-centered early warning systems at the national level, across multiple hazards. In practice, this implies supporting the full chain from observing and modeling, to forecasting, to warning generation, to communication and dissemination, and finally to response actions that reduce risk and protect lives and property. The opportunity also underscores that applicants should understand the current state of meteorological and hydrological services globally and be prepared to tailor assistance to countries at different stages of early warning system maturity.

The solicitation is explicitly tied to two major NOAA-related capacity-building efforts: Weather Ready Nations (WRNs) and the Global Flash Flood Guidance (GFFG) program. Applicants are expected to demonstrate familiarity with the technical and programmatic requirements of these efforts, including their “structured and intense training programs,” and to show they can support ongoing projects that may already be funded through other mechanisms. In other words, the awardee will not be building a standalone program from scratch; they will need to integrate smoothly into existing WRN and GFFG activities, fill gaps, extend reach, and coordinate deliverables so that partner countries experience a coherent set of improvements rather than fragmented initiatives. The ability to work closely with NOAA’s international partners, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is presented as an expectation, reflecting that much of this work occurs in a coordinated international operational setting.

From a funding and award structure standpoint, NOAA anticipates one total award over a five-year period, with an expected funding level of up to $3,000,000 per year and a total potential ceiling of $15,000,000 across five years. Funds may be provided one or more times each year, but all funding is contingent on federal appropriations, and NOAA makes clear there is no guarantee of future-year funding even if an initial award is made. Continued funding year to year is discretionary and depends on availability of funds as well as performance factors such as the quality of deliverables, demonstrated progress toward project goals, and continuing alignment with CDDRR program objectives. This structure signals that NOAA is looking for a long-term partner, but one that can show measurable progress and maintain relevance as program needs evolve.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary NOAA funding announcement using a cooperative agreement instrument, under the Department of Commerce, with an activity category of science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 11.467). NOAA anticipated making a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1). The original posting dates indicate it was created on April 6, 2021, with an original closing date of June 7, 2021, under funding opportunity number NOAA NWS NWSPO 2021 2006845. Eligibility is listed broadly as “Others” with clarification referenced in the additional eligibility text of the full notice, which typically indicates NOAA may allow a range of organizations provided they can credibly deliver the specialized training, technology transfer, and international operational capacity-building required.

Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at selecting one strong, experienced implementing organization capable of delivering global-scale training and technology transfer for national meteorological and hydrologic services, while coordinating closely with NOAA and international partners. The practical outcome NOAA is seeking is improved forecasting and warning performance that translates into better early warning services and disaster risk reduction, especially where institutional capacity is still developing and where hazards like flash flooding and severe weather can have outsized impacts.

• The Department of Commerce in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CDDRR Capacity Development for Weather, Water, and Climate Forecasting and Disaster Risk Reduction" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.467.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 07, 2021. (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 $15,000,000.00 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).

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