Marine Sanctuary Program (11.429)
Marine Sanctuary Program (Assistance Listing 11.429) is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the Department of Commerce. It awarded $105 million in 134 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $780,002 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $94,480. Half of the 134 awards fell between $76,410 and $138,408, and they ranged from $5,000 to $41.2 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$105 million
- Grant awards134
- Typical award$94,480
- Awarded in FY 2025$38.1 million
- Size rank797 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $7.8 million in fiscal 2021 to $38.1 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 797th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 92% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 19 states and territories.
What the program funds
The National Marine Sanctuary Program conducts and supports research and monitoring, education and outreach, and resource protection programs tailored to the management needs of each sanctuary. These programs target a wide array of topics involving natural processes, human influences on water, habitat, living resources and maritime archaeological resources. Research projects within the sanctuary system also allow scientists to address information needs that are not recognized through site characterization and monitoring.
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
State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), State Agreements to solicit private donations may only be made with nonprofit organizations. Agreements to solicit private donations may only be made with nonprofit organizations.
Matching requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, Part Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, Subpart Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972,Public Law Public Law 92-532.Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2016: In Fiscal Year 2016 The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will continue to receive funding for education and outreach events such as Capital Oceans Week, and several round tables on ocean conservation where National Marine Sanctuaries are located. The ONMS will provide grants for California BWET, Great Lake BWET, Pacific Northwest BWET and. Nancy Foster Scholarship will provide funds to graduate students of studies in ocean conservation and marine science. BWET Programs provides funds to educate students in each region on ocean science and conservation.,Fiscal Year2017: 9546441Fiscal Year2022: FY 2022 - $40,254,847 for 6 new and existing projects.Fiscal Year2023: During FY 2022 – 2023, $16,067,784 was awarded to 55 new projects.Fiscal Year2024: FY24 - $16M for 55 new and existing awards. $20M to $30M for 3 – 5 IRA awards. Multiple awards are anticipated, subject to availability of funds
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Marine Sanctuary Program (11.429) awarded $105 million across 134 grant awards, an average of $780,002 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Marine Sanctuary Foundation | Maryland | 3 | $61.3 million |
| Feiro Marine Life Center | Washington | 2 | $18.0 million |
| University Corporation at Monterey Bay | California | 1 | $7.0 million |
| Charles County Government | Maryland | 1 | $5.0 million |
| Santa Cruz County Office of Education | California | 2 | $399,999 |
| University of Wisconsin System | Wisconsin | 4 | $387,369 |
| Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group | Washington | 3 | $381,402 |
| Michigan Technological University | Michigan | 4 | $356,506 |
| Marin County Office of Education | California | 2 | $355,000 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Michigan | 3 | $320,000 |
| Solano County Superintendent of Schools | California | 1 | $300,000 |
| Ventura Unified School District | California | 1 | $299,842 |
| Santa Clara County Office of Education | California | 1 | $298,985 |
| Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District | California | 1 | $298,275 |
| Ventana Wildlife Society | California | 2 | $255,000 |
| Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group | Washington | 2 | $249,766 |
| Save the Whales | California | 2 | $242,891 |
| University of Toledo | Ohio | 2 | $225,935 |
| Nisqually River Foundation | Washington | 2 | $218,365 |
| Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative | Michigan | 1 | $199,907 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 80% of the money, state and local governments 7.4% and individuals 2.9%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 53 | $84.0 million | 80% |
| State and local governments | 21 | $7.8 million | 7.4% |
| Other | 4 | $7.3 million | 6.9% |
| Individuals | 30 | $3.0 million | 2.9% |
| Colleges and universities | 20 | $2.0 million | 1.9% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 6 | $554,243 | 0.5% |
By state
4 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are Maryland, Washington, California and Michigan.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 6 | $66.3 million |
| Washington | 19 | $19.8 million |
| California | 37 | $11.7 million |
| Michigan | 29 | $2.6 million |
| New York | 8 | $804,378 |
| Wisconsin | 7 | $607,369 |
| Ohio | 5 | $473,157 |
| North Carolina | 4 | $408,300 |
| Hawaii | 3 | $336,700 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $259,999 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $251,495 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | $164,700 |
| Illinois | 2 | $154,996 |
| Oregon | 2 | $149,936 |
| Florida | 1 | $131,322 |
| South Carolina | 1 | $119,801 |
| Virginia | 1 | $106,665 |
| Alabama | 2 | $96,500 |
| Georgia | 1 | $7,000 |