Sea Grant Support

National Sea Grant College Program
CFDA 11.417 Active Cooperative Agreement

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$94.4M FY2026
$156.6M
FY24
$112.3M
FY25
$94.4M
FY26*
* estimated

Program Objective

To support the establishment and operation of major university centers for marine resources research, education, and training and to support marine advisory services. Some individual efforts in these same areas also receive funding.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type
  • Unrestricted by Individual Type

Universities, colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, institutes, laboratories; any public or private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity; any State, political subdivision of a State or agency or officer thereof; any individual. Eligible entities are listed in all Notices of Funding Opportunities published on grants.gov.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Awards are made competitively on the basis of proposal evaluation.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 120 to 180 days

From 90 to 180 days from time of proposal submission.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Sea Grant Program is the only federal program that provides funding for Applied Research, combined with Sea Grant Extension activities to transfer knowledge from the laboratory to the user community to better manage our Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes resources.

Mission Categories

Primary: Research and Development

Other categories:
Economic DevelopmentCommercial FisheriesEnvironmental Quality EducationFish and Wildlife Preservation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Funding is provided to address Coastal, Ocean and Great Lakes issues and may be used for projects focusing on research and development, education and training, technology transfer and advisory services.

Restrictions

The Sea Grant Act at 33 USC 1124(d)(2) states:
“No payment under any grant or contract under this section may be applied to:
(A) the purchase or rental of any land; or
(B) the purchase, rental, construction, preservation, or repair of any building, dock, or vessel; except that payment under any such grant or contract may be applied to the short-term rental of buildings or facilities for meetings which are in direct support of any Sea Grant Program or project and may, if approved by the Secretary, be applied to the purchase, rental, construction, preservation, or repair of non-self-propelled habitats, buoys, platforms, and other similar devices or structures, or to the rental of any research vessel which is used in direct support of activities under any Sea Grant Program or project."

Required Documentation

Proposals with statement of work and estimated budget.

Matching Requirements

Matching requirements are normally required at a ratio of 1 dollar of match for every 2 of federal support. However, depending on the individual notice of funding opportunity, matching funds may be waived.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Chelsea Berg
‪(301) 246-0125
Grants Manager National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-19. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-31 02:00:21.