FY 2017 Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment in the Southeast U.S. (VORTEX-SE), and Infrasound Detection of Tornadoes | NOAA OAR OWAQ 2017 2005153

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR OWAQ 2017 2005153

The FY 2017 "Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment in the Southeast U.S. (VORTEX-SE), and Infrasound Detection of Tornadoes" funding opportunity is a federal research grant solicitation from the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA, specifically issued jointly by NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), the Office of Weather and Air Quality (OWAQ), and NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). It is set up as a discretionary competitive opportunity using cooperative agreements, which typically means NOAA staff may have ongoing scientific or technical involvement during the project period rather than acting only as a passive funder.

The focus of the opportunity is tornado science and tornado impacts in the southeastern United States, with an emphasis on generating practical knowledge that can improve real-world forecasting, warning, and public safety outcomes. On the physical science side, it calls for research that advances understanding of tornado formation and the meteorological processes that produce rotation in storms in the Southeast, a region known for unique challenges such as complex terrain, tree cover, different storm environments compared to the Great Plains, and a high frequency of nighttime tornadoes. A key scientific theme is VORTEX-SE, a field and analysis effort aimed at verifying how rotation develops and intensifies in these storms and how those processes can be observed and predicted.

Another major scientific component is infrasound detection of tornadoes. Infrasound refers to very low-frequency sound waves below the range of human hearing, which can travel long distances through the atmosphere. The opportunity seeks work that improves understanding of whether tornadoes and tornado-producing storms generate detectable infrasound signals, how those signals relate to tornado characteristics or storm structure, and whether infrasound could complement existing observational tools such as radar and surface measurements. The underlying goal is to explore whether infrasound can contribute to earlier detection, confirmation, or characterization of tornado threats, especially in situations where conventional observations are limited.

In addition to meteorology and infrasound, the opportunity explicitly includes social and behavioral research tied to tornado forecasts and events. This part is aimed at understanding how people in the Southeast receive, interpret, and act on tornado warnings and forecasts, and what factors influence protective decision-making. That can include public response to warning information, risk perception, message comprehension, trust and information sources, barriers to taking shelter, and community or situational factors that affect outcomes. The practical intent is to translate improved understanding of human behavior into better warning strategies and communications that lead to more appropriate protective actions, thereby reducing injuries, fatalities, and damage.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is identified as NOAA OAR OWAQ 2017 2005153, listed under CFDA 11.459, and categorized under research and development in environment, natural resources, science, and technology. The posted timeline shows a creation date of January 12, 2017 and an original closing date of March 15, 2017. NOAA anticipated making around 20 awards, with an award ceiling of $300,000 per award. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with further clarification referenced in the full notice under an additional eligibility section, which typically indicates eligibility could extend beyond standard academic institutions to include other organizations depending on the detailed criteria in the full announcement.

Overall, this opportunity is designed to support integrated tornado research in the Southeast that spans storm physics, novel sensing methods like infrasound, and the human dimensions of warnings and response. The intended payoff is improved scientific understanding and operational capability that helps NOAA and partners better forecast tornadoes, issue more effective warnings, and encourage timely, life-saving public action.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment in the Southeast U.S. (VORTEX-SE), and Infrasound Detection of Tornadoes" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.459.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 12, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 2017. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA OAR OWAQ 2017 2005153

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: