Application Process

This section covers how to register, prepare, and submit applications from start to finish to NOAA funding opportunities. Before you can apply for a NOAA grant, you’ll need to complete some registration steps. These steps can take multiple weeks to complete, so start early!

  1. Register with SAM.gov to Get Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
    • Every organization applying for federal grants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). 
    • Upon registration, your organization will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which replaces the D-U-N-S number that was used in the past as a key identifier for your organization.
    • SAM registration is free, but it can take several weeks to be processed.
    • SAM registration must be renewed annually. If your SAM registration is not current, your organization will not be able to submit your application. 
    • Assistance 
      1. Federal Service Desk 
      2. Visit FSD.gov to search frequently asked questions, chat live with a support agent, submit a web form, or call for assistance.
      3. U.S. calls: 866-606-8220
  2. Register with Grants.gov to Submit Your Proposal
    • Grants.gov is the portal through which you will submit your application.
    • You’ll need to create an account and link it to your organization using its Unique Entity Identifier.
    • Test your login and ensure your account is active, and that you have permission to submit an application. Make sure to do this well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
    • Grants.gov Assistance: 
      1. Link to grants.gov library of resources 
      2. Applicants may call or email the Grants.gov Support Center at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov for assistance.
  3. Register Your Organization and Project Lead in the Department of Commerce eRA Commons System
    • The Department of Commerce uses the eRA (Electronic Research Administration) system to manage NOAA grant applications.
    • First, you must register your organization in the eRA system. Then, individual users (like project leads or administrators) must register under the organization’s account.
    • All federal funding opportunities require SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations, but eRA Commons registration is unique to the Department of Commerce. Therefore, all applicants of NOAA funding must also be registered with eRA Commons.
    • eRA Assistance: 
      1. Toll-free: 1-866-504-9552 (Press 1 for eRA Commons or ASSIST)
      2. Phone: 301-402-7469 (Press 1 for eRA Commons or ASSIST)
  4. Submit your application early! Do not submit your application the day of. Any application submission errors should be sent to the applicant to fix. We recommend that applicants submit a full week before the deadline. 

Helpful Tips for Registration

  • Start Early: Some registrations take time to process, and incomplete steps can delay your application.
  • Keep Information Handy: Have your organization’s tax ID, legal name, and UEI ready for each system.
  • Save Login Details: Write down usernames and passwords for each platform to avoid login issues later. All these systems will connect to Login.gov to verify your identity, so keep that information handy as well.
  • Test Access: Make sure you can log in to SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and the eRA system well in advance of deadlines.

Common FAQs

  1. What is required in a typical application?
  2. Is there assistance available to develop my grant?
  3. Do NOAA programs require cost sharing?
  4. What does “leveraging” mean?
  5. What environmental regulations must I follow?
  6. How do I access funds?