NOAA Sea Grant: Ocean and Coastal Technology Funding 2026

The NOAA Sea Grant College Program, established in 1966, operates a network of 34 programs in US coastal states and territories. Sea Grant funds research, education, and extension projects addressing ocean and coastal challenges through competitive grant programs managed by state/regional offices.

FY 2026 Funding

Base Funding: $80 million for Sea Grant Core programs (maintains FY 2025 level)

Aquaculture: $14 million for Sea Grant Aquaculture programs

Status: Full-year appropriations passed, supporting ocean and coastal management programs nationwide.

Four Sea Grant Focus Areas

1. Healthy Coastal Ecosystems

Habitat restoration, water quality improvement, coastal resilience, ecosystem-based management, climate adaptation.

2. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fisheries management, aquaculture development, seafood sustainability, marine resource economics, technology innovation (e.g., Maine's $1.4M American Lobster Initiative).

3. Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies

Hazard mitigation, economic development, coastal planning, community adaptation, blue economy growth.

4. Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development

STEM education, workforce training, public engagement, citizen science, ocean literacy.

Technology Focus Areas

Ocean/Coastal Innovation: Marine sensors and monitoring systems, aquaculture technology (feed, disease management, sustainable practices), coastal observation systems, data platforms and decision tools, renewable ocean energy, blue economy applications.

Funding Structure

Competitive Grants: State and regional Sea Grant programs issue calls for proposals on biennial or annual cycles.

Award Sizes: Vary by program and project type - range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Match requirements are common.

Recent Examples: Maine Sea Grant - $1.4M for American Lobster Initiative (January 2026). New York Sea Grant - $200K available for Great Lakes basin projects.

How to Apply

Step 1: Contact your state/regional Sea Grant program (find via seagrant.noaa.gov)

Step 2: Review current funding priorities in your state's strategic plan

Step 3: Attend pre-proposal workshops or meet with program officers

Step 4: Submit letter of intent or pre-proposal (if required)

Step 5: If invited, develop full proposal addressing review criteria

Step 6: Submit full proposal for peer review

Step 7: Award announcements (typically 6-9 months after submission)

Success Tips

Build Relationships Early: Contact your state Sea Grant program office before developing proposals. Program officers provide valuable guidance on priorities and proposal development.

Extension/Outreach Component: Sea Grant values projects that translate research into practical applications. Include strong extension, communication, or stakeholder engagement plans.

Stakeholder Partnerships: Collaborate with end-users (fishermen, coastal managers, community leaders) who will apply project results.

Regional Priorities: Review your state Sea Grant's strategic plan and align project with identified priorities for your region.

Match Funding: When possible, show match or leveraging of other funding sources to strengthen competitiveness.

Contact Information

National Website: seagrant.noaa.gov

Funding Opportunities: seagrant.noaa.gov/opportunities/funding

Find Your State Program: Use national website directory to locate your regional Sea Grant office