Published: 2003
Total Pages: 65
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Established in FY 1997, the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) promotes the national goals of assuring national security, advancing economic development, protecting quality of life, and strengthening science education and communication through improved knowledge of the ocean. The National Ocean Research Leadership Council (NORLC), now comprising leaders of fifteen Federal agencies, guides NOPP in identifying and carrying out partnerships among Federal agencies, industry, and other members of the oceanographic scientific community in support of those goals. NOPP investments have focused on the following five areas: operational/routine observations, research observatories, observational technique development, a commons for ocean information, and outreach/education. NOPP funded activities are those that are either solicited or managed by NOPP and involve support from two or more agencies. Overall investment in NOPP funded activities has increased significantly since the program's inception, reaching a total of $26 million in FY 2002. From FY 1997 to FY 2002, NOPP has funded 82 projects, including 20 renewal projects, in response to Broad Agency Announcements and Requests for Proposals. Of the total funds awarded during this period, approximately 62%, 18%, 11% and 9% went to academia, government, industry and non-governmental organizations/others, respectively. In addition to NOPP funded activities, individual agencies invest in NOPP related activities, which are funded primarily by a single agency in response to plans produced by NOPP entities. Examples include a military ocean survey using academic research vessels and several projects related to the development of an Integrated Ocean and Observing System (IOOS), which is coordinated through a NOPP interagency office called Ocean. US. Significant new investments in NOPP related activities are anticipated over the next decade.