ST. PAUL and DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Sea Grant College Program invites proposals for its 2026 Fast-Track Grant competition.
Intent to Submit form due October 13, 2026. Proposals due October 29, 2026.
Fast-track grants can be up to $10,000 for research projects of up to six months in duration. Cost share or match is not required. Proposals must support Minnesota Sea Grant’s mission and the goals, actions and outcomes outlined in its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. Projects may address urgent needs, take advantage of exceptional opportunities or support exploratory research that could lead to a larger proposal.
For the 2026 competition, MNSG is particularly interested in projects focused on resilient communities and economies. Priority topics include wildfire impacts on Minnesota lakes and communities; sustainable dredged material management and use; economic benefits of shoreline practices that improve water quality; the net value of coastal industries; and new analyses of existing Lake Superior buoy and weather station data.
Applicants should follow the instructions detailed in the fall 2026 Fast-Track Request for Proposals and submit via eSeaGrant. The intent to submit form is required to be eligible to submit a proposal.
For the 2026 competition, projects must be completed before January 31, 2028.
Deadlines and timeline:
- October 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT: Intent to Submit form due.
- October 29, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT: Proposal submissions due via eSeaGrant.
- December 15, 2026: Target date for MNSG to communicate funding decisions to investigators.
- January 15, 2027: Target date for submission of data management plans and National Environmental Policy Act statements from investigators to MNSG.
- February 1, 2027: Earliest possible project start date.
- Six months after project initiation: Project completion deadline.
Projects involving awards to entities outside the University of Minnesota and/or proposals requiring Institutional Review Board review, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee review, and/or review for significant environmental impact may take longer to process.
Applicants should read MNSG’s fall 2026 Fast-Track Request for Proposals. Contact MNSG Research and Fellowship Coordinator Alex Frie ([email protected]) for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Minnesota Sea Grant is a system program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Great Lakes and coastal states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, outreach, communication, education and technology transfer.
Find this and all past Minnesota Sea Grant news releases on our website.
CONTACT
Alex Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth, [email protected].
Marie Thoms, Associate Director, Communications Director, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth, [email protected].