Sea Grant Funding Holds at $80 Million After Congress Rejects Deep Cuts
March 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Claire Cummings
NOAA's Sea Grant program emerged from the FY2026 budget process with $80 million in funding — level with prior years — after Congress rejected the Trump administration's proposal to slash EPA and coastal management programs by more than half.
What Survived the Budget Fight
The spending package preserved funding across the coastal research portfolio: Sea Grant at $80 million, Sea Grant aquaculture at $14 million, Coastal Zone Management grants, and National Marine Sanctuaries programs. Congress explicitly rejected the administration's proposed 55% cut to EPA and the outright elimination of coastal management grant programs.
Individual Sea Grant programs are already deploying funds. Maine Sea Grant received $1.4 million for its American Lobster Initiative, with an additional $600,000 in second-year continuation funding. New York Sea Grant announced $200,000 in small grants available for Great Lakes basin projects.
A Reprieve After a Turbulent Year
The level funding comes after a bruising 2025 for coastal research. Maine Sea Grant faced abrupt termination over perceived misalignment with administration priorities before funding was restored through congressional intervention. The experience rattled researchers and coastal communities that depend on Sea Grant for fisheries management, aquaculture development, and climate resilience planning.
NOAA overall received $6.17 billion, including $1.46 billion for the National Weather Service. But the agency's long-term trajectory remains uncertain — the administration's initial budget request sought to gut NOAA's climate research and environmental data programs.
Where Coastal Researchers Should Look Now
Researchers, marine science programs, and community organizations working on fisheries, aquaculture, or coastal resilience should check their state Sea Grant program for current solicitations. Many state programs issue their own competitive sub-awards from the federal allocation.
Sea Grant's aquaculture research program ($14 million) is particularly well-positioned for growth, as domestic shellfish and seaweed farming attracts bipartisan support. Researchers exploring sustainable aquaculture methods or seafood supply chain resilience should prioritize these opportunities. Grant seekers can find Sea Grant and other coastal funding opportunities through Granted.