PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To support through grants and cooperative agreements, enduring partnerships between the Federal government and institutions of research and higher education for cooperative science and education on marine issues, especially living marine resources and their habitat, that confront local, regional, and national resources managers; also, to award grants and cooperative agreements to develop innovative approaches and methods for marine and estuarine science and education.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. BUSINESS AND COMMERCE;
- Maritime;
2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY;
- Research - Specialized;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Federal;
- State;
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Other private institution/organization;
- Anyone/general public;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Other private institutions/organizations;