Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a historic, federal government-wide investment that furthers NOAA’s efforts to build a Climate-Ready Nation. It provides $3.3 billion for NOAA to build on its commitment to help Americans – including tribes and vulnerable populations – prepare, adapt, and build resilience to weather and climate events; improve supercomputing capacity and research on weather, oceans, and climate; strengthen NOAA’s hurricane hunter aircraft and fleet; and replace aging NOAA facilities. 

The law’s significant investment in NOAA – in combination with funds NOAA received from Congress through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offsite link (BIL) – will help address a growing demand for climate information and facilitate the development of new products and services to meet the needs of a nation that is ready and resilient to climate change. These targeted investments will be scalable and responsive to societal needs for climate information and support and leverage partnerships. 

A significant portion of NOAA’s IRA funds will be issued through competitive grants to organizations to do on-the-ground work around the country. 

This funding is organized into two main initiatives:

NOAA will also invest internally in climate resilient facilities, an additional hurricane hunter aircraft, mapping and charting ships, enhanced supercomputing capacity, sanctuary designations, and increased staffing for fisheries and other permitting activities. 

• On December 5, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced the availability of up to $106 million in funding through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund for Pacific salmon and steelhead recovery and conservation projects. NOAA will accept proposals from eligible applicants through March 4, 2024.
• On November 30, 2023, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced that $7.2 million in funding has been awarded to 13 projects to advance long-range projections of tropical storms, heat waves, ocean changes that drive weather and climate.
• Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced the availability of $100 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding to support climate resilience projects through U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Associations. These funds will be available to 11 U.S. IOOS Regional Associations to enable them to provide services that address climate resilience needs and priorities, particularly in frontline and underserved communities.
• On Sept. 25, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced about $2 million in funding for projects to support tribal drought resilience as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
• The Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities funding opportunity was launched on September 1, 2023. More information and instructions on how to apply are available on the NOAA Fisheries website. 

Notice of Funding Opportunities will be posted here when they are available.