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
Sea Grant anticipates approximately $16,000,000 in FY 2022 and 2023 federal funds will be available to support innovative, transformational research to application projects that will address the prevention and/or removal of marine debris. Proposals are sought that will build upon and extend existing knowledge and efforts related to marine debris; support broad, non-proprietary, and innovative research to address critical gaps with respect to marine debris; and make that information available to communities and stakeholders.
Approximately 5-12 projects of up to three years duration may be funded. Matching funds will not be required for this competition.
Eligible applicants are Sea Grant College Programs, Sea Grant Institutional Programs, and Sea Grant Coherent Area Programs.
Other interested entities must submit proposals in partnership with and through a relevant Sea Grant program. Please note that it is not a requirement that investigators, including the PI, are part of a Sea Grant program; however proposals must be submitted with and through a Sea Grant program.
Letters of intent are required in order to be eligible to submit a full proposal. Letters of intent or applications that do not come through a Sea Grant program will be rejected without review.
Read formal announcement on Grants.gov NOAA-OAR-SG-2022-2007452
Letters of intent must be submitted to NSGO by August 9, 2022.
Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by September 30, 2022.
An informational webinar about the funding opportunity will be held on July 12, 2022 at 4:30 pm ET. Register in advance here.
If you have questions or need further assistance in identifying a Sea Grant Program to partner with, please contact oar.sg.marine-debris@noaa.gov and specify that your question is related to the Marine Debris Challenge Competition funding opportunity in the subject line.
Questions and Answers on Sea Grant’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Marine Debris Funding Opportunities (PDF)
This is one of two Sea Grant federal funding opportunities in support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address the prevention and removal of marine debris. The Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions opportunity will support the creation of coalitions and partnerships to address marine debris prevention and removal. Please contact your local Sea Grant Program if you are interested in partnering on this opportunity.
Special Projects H: Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions
The National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) anticipates approximately $3,000,000 in FY 2022 and 2023 federal funds will be available to individual Sea Grant programs in order to support approximately 10-15 Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions.
This competition is open to Sea Grant programs only. Matching funds will not be required for this competition.
Letters of intent are required in order to be eligible to submit a full proposal. Letters of intent or applications that do not come through a Sea Grant program will be rejected without review.
Please carefully review the competition description (PDF) for specific instructions on how to apply for the competition via grants.gov.
Resources and forms, including a new application package checklist, are available on the Implementation page of Inside Sea Grant.
Letters of Intent due August 16, 2022
Full Proposals due September 15, 2022
Informational webinar on July 12, 2022 at 4:30 pm ET (register here)
Contact oar.sg.marine-debris@noaa.gov with any questions, and specify the opportunity in the subject line.
Questions and Answers on Sea Grant’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Marine Debris Funding Opportunities (PDF)
Translating Coastal Research into Application
Sea Grant and the U.S. Coastal Research Program (USCRP) announce a new funding opportunity. It is anticipated that approximately $4,000,000 will be available to integrate research, its application, and community engagement in thematic areas of long-term coastal evolution, extreme storms, and human and ecosystem health. Proposals should address the needs or gaps that have been identified by or are evident from USCRP-funded projects (PDF list), to move research project findings toward application through service delivery and decision support for coastal community decision-makers, planners, and other coastal stakeholders.
Approximately 10-20 projects may be funded at up to $150,000 over two years (Tier 1) or up to $500,000 over four years (Tier 2). Matching funds will not be required for this competition.
Eligible applicants are Sea Grant College Programs, Sea Grant Institutional Programs, and Sea Grant Coherent Area Programs.
The following entities are encouraged to participate in this funding opportunity, in conjunction with a Sea Grant Program: any individual; any public or private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity (including any Sea Grant Program or other institution); or any State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government or agency or officer thereof.
Correction to original notice of funding opportunity. The award period for the funding is: Tier 1 - January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024; Tier 2 - January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2026.
Read formal announcement on Grants.gov NOAA-OAR-SG-2022-2007298
Letters of intent must be submitted to NSGO by 5:00 p.m. local time on June 15, 2022.
Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 30, 2022.
An informational webinar about the funding opportunity was held on May 16, 2022. Register here to view the recording (PDF of slides).
If you have questions or need further assistance in identifying a Sea Grant Program to partner with, please contact oar.hq.sg.competitions@noaa.gov and specify that your question is related to the Translating Coastal Research into Application competition in the subject line.
Current State/Local Funding Opportunities
See details on the State Sea Grant Program Funding Opportunities page
Current Regional Funding Opportunities
There are no open opportunities at this time.
Current Student Opportunities
See our pages on student opportunities.
Current Opportunities from Sea Grant Partners
Additional funding opportunities from NOAA through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act include: Marine Debris Removal Grants, Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants, Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities, Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants, and National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants. Learn more here.