MIT Sea Grant College Program

Founded in 1966 by Congress, the National Sea Grant College Program is a network of 33 programs working to promote the conservation and sustainable development of our marine resources through research, education, and outreach. Sea Grant is funded by the US Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

MIT was designated a Sea Grant College Program in 1976 and was the first Sea Grant program to receive funding for research. The program's competitive annual funding for Massachusetts academic investigators supports innovative research that responds to human health and safety concerns, along with efforts that produce new tools, instruments, and pioneering technologies. Projects range from the development of biomimetic underwater sensors to water quality monitoring in the Boston Harbor.

The program's Marine Advisory Services (MAS) conducts research and outreach that informs management decisions. MAS staff includes specialists in marine ecology and biology, coastal policy, social sciences, and communication. The team works together to offer scientific guidance, training, workshops, access to databases, and informational materials to stakeholders.

MIT Sea Grant has two in-house research labs. The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Laboratory designs marine robots with a multitude of applications in oceanography, environmental monitoring, and underwater resource studies. The Design Lab develops and applies high-fidelity numerical models to address coastal inundation and wave storm surges and innovative tools for high efficiency, low carbon footprint ships, high-speed marine vehicles, including autonomous surface crafts.

Community partners and advisory committees include individuals from academic circles, non-government organizations, industry leaders, and state and local government agencies. Constituents include Massachusetts coastal communities, seafood harvesters and consumers, fellow ocean scientists and engineers, and the general public relying on the ocean for sustenance, energy, recreation, travel, and wonder.

Graduate and undergraduate MIT and visiting students participate in many Sea Grant research projects with support available to them from the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) or from their home institutions.

For more information, contact the director, Professor Michael Triantafyllou, Room NW98-157, 617-253-9614.