Federal grant programs / Department of Commerce

Sea Grant Support (11.417)

Also known as National Sea Grant College Program

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$599 million
• Grant awards851
• Typical award$91,062
• Awarded in FY 2025$112 million
• Size rank332 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceProject grants

Key findings

• Annual funding rose from $97.9 million in fiscal 2021 to $112 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 332nd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 66% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 34 states and territories.

What the program funds

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.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

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.

What the money can and cannot pay for

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. Grant funding cannot be used to purchase, or construct ships or facilities.;

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. 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.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Award range and average, in the agency's words

5,000 to $5,000,000 Estimated for 2022

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

Colleges and universities received 79% of the money, nonprofits 11% and state and local governments 8.2%.

By state

33 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.