Funding Opportunities

× Search

Sea Grant Funding Opportunities

Sea Grant provides a variety of funding opportunities based on its work in four focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies, and Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development. Funding opportunities include National Strategic Investments, Special Projects, focused opportunities through each of the 34 Sea Grant programs, and more. See below for more information on current and previous funding opportunities. Most funding opportunities require applying through or to one of the 34 Sea Grant programs.

See Inside Sea Grant for forms and additional guidance where applicable. Questions about funding opportunities should be directed to oar.hq.sg.competitions@noaa.gov.

Current National Funding Opportunities

Aquaculture: Addressing Economic and Market Needs of the U.S. Aquaculture Industry

Subject to the availability of funding, Sea Grant anticipates approximately $5,000,000 will be available for research projects and programs that will significantly advance the understanding of the economics of aquaculture businesses in the U.S. and address gaps regarding important market information. The overall goal is to advance business management towards development of a sustainable marine and Great Lakes aquaculture industry in the U.S. Successful proposals will address geographic and/or topical needs and will fully integrate research, extension, and education. Proposals that will support broad, non-proprietary research to address critical gaps with respect to aquaculture economics and market needs; make that information available to U.S. aquaculture businesses and management agencies; and build the capacity of Sea Grant and its partners, including Sea Grant aquaculture extension personnel and industry stakeholders, are preferred. These investments are consistent with Sea Grant’s focus area of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (SFA) and the Sea Grant Network’s 10-year Aquaculture Vision, both which support NOAA and Department of Commerce aquaculture goals.

All proposals to this competition must be submitted by a Sea Grant program. Other interested entities must submit proposals in partnership with and through a relevant Sea Grant Program.

Read formal announcement on Grants.gov NOAA-OAR-SG-2020-2006331

Informational Webinar February 5, 2020 at 3 pm Eastern (Register or join here)
Webinar slides (PDF)
Question and answer log from webinar discussion (PDF)

Notices of intent to submit due February 26, 2020

Full proposals due April 22, 2020

American Lobster Research Program

This program will support research to address critical gaps in knowledge about how the American Lobster and its fishery is being impacted by environmental change. It is informed by listening sessions with regional fishing industry stakeholders, state and federal fisheries managers, and university, state and federal fisheries researchers.

Informational webinar: February 11, 2020 at 1:30 pm Eastern (register here)

Read formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Grants.gov

Deadline to apply: March 19, 2020

National Marine Fisheries Service-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship Program

Students should submit applications to a Sea Grant Program and not submit information directly into grants.gov. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. Foreign Nationals are not eligible. Student applications are due to Sea Grant Programs by 5:00 pm local time on January 30, 2020. Sea Grant Programs must transmit the application via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm, Eastern Time February 27, 2020. There are two separate funding numbers for the two portions of this competition.

Population and Ecosystem Dynamics Federal Funding Opportunity - NOAA-OAR-SG-2020-2006263
The NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Program in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics expects to award at least three new Ph.D. Fellowships in 2020 to students who are interested in careers related to marine ecosystem and population dynamics, with a focus on modeling and managing systems of living marine resources. These fellowships can provide support for up to three years. The emphasis will be on the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing marine ecosystems, for assessing the status of fish, invertebrate, and other targeted species stocks and for assessing the status of marine mammals, seabirds, and other protected species.

Marine Resource Economics Federal Funding Opportunity - NOAA-OAR-SG-2020-2006261
The 2020 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Program in Marine Resource Economics expects to award one new Ph.D. Fellowship each year to students who are interested in careers related to the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing the economics of the conservation and management of living marine resources. This fellowship can provide support for up to three years.

Special Projects Announcement: Undergraduate Population and Ecosystem Dynamics Workshop

The National Sea Grant Office anticipates that up to $140,000 in Sea Grant funding will be available to support the development of the 2021 Undergraduate Population and Ecosystem Dynamics Workshop. It is anticipated that no more than one application will be selected.

Read the Full Announcement (PDF download)
Direct link to Special Projects NOFO on Grants.gov
Informational resources from previous opportunities: 2019 Webinar (download webinar slides - PDF); Frequently Asked Questions, updated November 19, 2018 (PDF download)

Special Projects Announcement: Sea Grant Academy

The National Sea Grant Office anticipates that up to $75,000 in Sea Grant funding will be available to develop, conduct, and evaluate the 8th National Sea Grant Academy, to be held in 2021. Non-federal matching funds are not required for this competition. It is anticipated that no more than one application will be selected.

Read the full announcement (PDF download)
Direct link to Special Projects NOFO on Grants.gov

Special Projects Announcement: Sea Grant Support of Workshops and Meetings

The National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) anticipates that up to $60,000 in FY 2020 Federal Funds will be available to individual Sea Grant Programs in order to support activities at workshops, conferences or professional meetings that are directly in support of each Program’s 2018-21 strategic plan and/or in alignment with goals and actions identified in the “network visioning” plans developed in 2017-18.

Due Dates: December 18, 2019, February 17, 2020; April 13, 2020
Read the full announcement (PDF download)
Direct link to Special Projects NOFO on Grants.gov

Special Projects Announcement: Sea Grant-Marine Debris Competition

The National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) and the Marine Debris Program (MDP) anticipate that approximately $300,000.00 will be available over the next two years for projects that support the goals and objectives identified within the Marine Debris Program’s Strategic Plan (FY 2016-2020), regional or state Marine Debris Action Plans or align with the program components identified in the Marine Debris Act.

Due Date: January 9, 2020
Read the full announcement (PDF download)
Direct link to Special Projects NOFO on Grants.gov

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program

Applications must be submitted to the state Sea Grant program by February 21, 2020. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Sea Grant Program in their state one to two months prior to the state application deadline to receive application support and provide notification of an intent to apply. The applicant should allow sufficient time to schedule an interview with the eligible Sea Grant program at the program’s request. Grant announcement: NOAA-OAR-SG-2021-2006204