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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Seafood safety training opportunity: Maryland Sea Grant will offer a Seafood HACCP Segment Two Course on October 26, 2017. Register by October 20. See details and pre-registration form.

Maryland Sea Grant is seeking a qualified candidate for our Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site Cooperative Coordinator position. Applications will start to be reviewed Sept. 22. Learn more details here.

Maryland Sea Grant seeks to hire a Coastal Climate Specialist to help communities deal with the effects of climate change and other issues. More details.

Maryland Sea Grant seeks to hire an Information Technology Coordinator to implement, administer, and strengthen our use of existing and new information technology. More details.

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

Featured Research Project

Salt Water Intrusion and Legacy Nutrient Release Across Coastal Farmland

As the world’s climate changes, rural coastlines are becoming more vulnerable to sea level rise. Consequently, these ecosystems are undergoing major disruptions in nutrient cycling. Tidal salt marshes, riparian forests, and farmland converge on coastlines, forming ecotones, or unique transitional ecosystems. With centuries of farming and fertilizer additions, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in excess of plant demand can accumulate in soils (known as legacy nutrients).