Maine Sea Grant Biennial Request for 2026-2028 Proposals

Our biennial request for 2026-2028 research proposals is now open to submissions.

Required Letters of Intent are due February 4, 2025, by 11:59 PM.

Full proposal deadline is May 15, 2025, by 11:59 PM.

Our request for proposals is designed to sponsor a diverse research portfolio that links the scientific capacity of Maine with the needs of coastal community partners and interests. We anticipate approximately $600,000 will be available to support research projects over the two-year funding period, pending federal appropriations. Total two-year requests are limited to $200,000 in Sea Grant funds (including all direct and indirect costs). Maine Sea Grant is administered by the University of Maine, but the research competition is open to investigators affiliated with any public or private research or higher education institution, municipal, state, federal, or tribal entity, research laboratory, or other community or non-profit institution within the state of Maine.

We accept proposals aligned with any part of our 2024-2027 strategic plan. Proposals that address cross-cutting principles outlined in this plan will be eligible for higher merit ratings during the review process. We also strongly encourage proposals that will engage diverse partners and end users, integrate concepts and methods from multiple disciplines, develop cross-cultural perspectives, provide student training, advance issues important to the state’s underserved and underrepresented coastal communities, and explicitly link with strategies and actions described  in the Maine Climate Council’s Climate Action Plan Maine Won’t Wait. 

Complete request and instructions:

Maine Sea Grant Request for Proposals 2026-2028 (PDF) 

We seek proposals that link research to the needs of coastal communities. There is no better way to do this than by interacting with our Marine Extension Team. Collectively, they have decades of experience in Maine’s coastal communities.

All pre-proposals and full proposals must be submitted to Maine Sea Grant through Infoready.  Contact the Assistant Director for Research if you have questions.

Applicants should submit their final request using the InfoReady online application interface.

How to Use InfoReady Review

  1. Login to the system using your University of Maine System Single Sign On (or created a registration if accessing this platform from outside of the UMS).
  2. Find and click on the Open Competition of interest (bottom left).
  3. Click “Apply” (top right of competition screen).
  4. Provide required Proposal details and attachments.
  5. Follow the competition-specific instructions regarding materials to down- or upload, or complete online.
  6. Save any unfinished work to be completed later.
  7. Complete and submit application before the deadline.

Application Status Updates

  • Look for automated application status emails.
  • Emails will come from the UMaine competition administrator, but message content will include “InfoReady Review” in the header.