Well Told Grants

Federal grant programs / Department of Commerce

Marine Sanctuary Program (11.429)

Also known as Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

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.

Key findings

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.

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

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

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

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.

Largest recipients, fiscal 2021 to 2025
RecipientStateAwardsAmount
National Marine Sanctuary FoundationMaryland3$61.3 million
Feiro Marine Life CenterWashington2$18.0 million
University Corporation at Monterey BayCalifornia1$7.0 million
Charles County GovernmentMaryland1$5.0 million
Santa Cruz County Office of EducationCalifornia2$399,999
University of Wisconsin SystemWisconsin4$387,369
Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement GroupWashington3$381,402
Michigan Technological UniversityMichigan4$356,506
Marin County Office of EducationCalifornia2$355,000
Eastern Michigan UniversityMichigan3$320,000
Solano County Superintendent of SchoolsCalifornia1$300,000
Ventura Unified School DistrictCalifornia1$299,842
Santa Clara County Office of EducationCalifornia1$298,985
Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School DistrictCalifornia1$298,275
Ventana Wildlife SocietyCalifornia2$255,000
Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement GroupWashington2$249,766
Save the WhalesCalifornia2$242,891
University of ToledoOhio2$225,935
Nisqually River FoundationWashington2$218,365
Great Lakes Stewardship InitiativeMichigan1$199,907

Top states: Maryland ($66.3 million), Washington ($19.8 million), California ($11.7 million), Michigan ($2.6 million), New York ($804,378), Wisconsin ($607,369), Ohio ($473,157), North Carolina ($408,300), Hawaii ($336,700), Pennsylvania ($259,999).

Who usually wins

Nonprofits received 80% of the money, state and local governments 7.4% and individuals 2.9%.

Recipient typeAwardsAmountShare
Nonprofits53$84.0 million80%
State and local governments21$7.8 million7.4%
Other4$7.3 million6.9%
Individuals30$3.0 million2.9%
Colleges and universities20$2.0 million1.9%
Tribal governments and organizations6$554,2430.5%

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.

Grants by recipient's state, fiscal 2021 to 2025
StateAwardsAmount
Maryland6$66.3 million
Washington19$19.8 million
California37$11.7 million
Michigan29$2.6 million
New York8$804,378
Wisconsin7$607,369
Ohio5$473,157
North Carolina4$408,300
Hawaii3$336,700
Pennsylvania3$259,999
Massachusetts2$251,495
Puerto Rico1$164,700
Illinois2$154,996
Oregon2$149,936
Florida1$131,322
South Carolina1$119,801
Virginia1$106,665
Alabama2$96,500
Georgia1$7,000

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