Our Research Priorities

researcher on a boat throwing fish off

Support for sound scientific research and those who undertake it is at core of Maryland Sea Grant's mission. With a special focus on the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Sea Grant has a tradition of fostering innovative scientific inquiry and analysis. We emphasize projects that offer practical applications for the protection and restoration of Maryland’s coastal resources. This work promotes the sustainability of Maryland’s environment and economy.

Our funding opportunities: Every two years, we award scientists approximately $1 million in research grants using a rigorous, competitive peer review process. Smaller Program Development grants are often available between biennial cycles to address urgent or emerging needs with high relevance to society.
Our research focuses: We choose priority research topics through a collaborative strategic-planning process that engages scientists, our advisory board, our partners, and the public. Currently these topics are:

Resilient Ecosystem Processes and Responses

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Resilient Communities and Economies

Our results: The research we have funded at institutions throughout Maryland has led to improved knowledge and new tools that are informing issues of critical importance to the state, the Mid-Atlantic region, and the nation. These projects have examined topics such as coastal and estuarine function, ecosystem restoration, ecosystem-based fisheries management, aquaculture, and seafood technology. Learn more about the impacts these projects are making.
Our outreach: We expect research projects to include public outreach and engagement components to ensure that the results of cutting-edge science will be put to work on the ground -- and in the water.
Our funding sources: Our funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the state of Maryland. Additionally, our efforts are supported by our administrative home, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

Questions? Contact Michael Allen, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Research, (301) 405-6372 or mallen@mdsg.umd.edu.

Program Announcements

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Graduate students: We are accepting applications for our Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Fellowship until March 30!

Maryland Sea Grant hosted a webinar to discuss expectations for outreach in research projects as well as developing the outreach sections of the pre- and full proposals. Slides from that webinar are available here.

Maryland Sea Grant has program development funds for start-up efforts or strategic support for emerging areas of research. Apply here.

Featured Research Project

In Situ Setting of Crassostrea Virginica Larvae on Restored Reefs: A Complementary Method for Restoring Oyster Populations

Restoring the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster reefs will likely have large benefits for both the Bay ecosystem and local economies, scientists say. Currently, to build a new oyster reef, restoration experts typically seed Bay habitats with larvae attached to hard surfaces, including recycled oyster shells. Such a technique, however, may not work well in all scenarios. This study will explore the effectiveness of a new restoration strategy in which free-floating larvae are added to an existing reef in the wild.