Management

Michigan Sea Grant is part of a national network of more than 30 university-based Sea Grant programs in coastal states across the country. The National Sea Grant College Program is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Within this federal framework, Michigan Sea Grant is a cooperative program of the University of Michigan (U-M) and Michigan State University (MSU). The U-M School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and the MSU Extension Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI) provide matching contributions to supplement federal funds. Additional funds and support come through external grants, other Michigan universities, and other non-federal sources.

Michigan Sea Grant maintains offices at both supporting universities. The U-M office in Ann Arbor houses the bulk of the communications, research, and program staff; the MSU office in East Lansing works closely with the Michigan Sea Grant Extension team. The Extension educators live and work in communities around the state, serving multi-county districts that cover the entirety of Michigan’s coastline.

Day-to-day operational decisions are made by a management team that includes representatives from both universities. The management team receives guidance from the National Sea Grant program office, the advisory committee and executive committee, Sea Grant constituents, and other staff members.

Learn more about NOAA’s activities in the Great Lakes: