Founded in 1966 by Congress, the National Sea Grant College Program is a network of 32 programs working to promote the conservation and sustainable development of our marine resources through research, education, and outreach. Sea Grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was designated as a Sea Grant College in 1970-the first institution of higher learning to be appointed as such. Our rigorous research program, dedicated outreach programs and integrated educational projects are aimed at providing real-world solutions to coastal questions and at helping to create the coastal stewards of tomorrow. Our innovative marine research draws on the unique resources of higher educational institutions in Massachusetts and the region and addresses needs ranging from local to global in scope. Our particular areas of focus and expertise include autonomous underwater vehicles, aquaculture and fisheries, coastal management, underwater communications, and biotechnology. Our intensely collaborative approach assures that we involve a wide specter of industrial and governmental groups. We also focus our energies in transferring our gained knowledge to industry.