Research Projects

Funding for Minnesota Sea Grant and our support of water research comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Sea Grant Program, and the University of Minnesota. Have a great water-science idea? Check out our research funding opportunities.

  • A selection of research projects are highlighted below.
  • The list of all our currently funded research projects.
Aerial view of two Minnesota lakes. One with carp and murky water on the left and a lake without car and clearer water on the right.
January 2023 - December 2024

Carp and Carbon: Climate Change and Ecological and Economic Benefits

Pie graphic divided into four sections named local knowledge, climate science, community engagement, education
2022-2024 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Climate Adaptation in Action: Tribal Climate Adaptation Tools and Resources Across the 1854 Ceded Territory

Extreme close-up light micrograph images of Didymo.
2022-2024 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Didymo Invasion of Nearshore Lake Superior and its Tributaries

Plastic tub with a dozen or more Cisco (fish)
2022-2024 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Investigating Drivers of Cisco Recruitment in Lake Superior

2020-2022 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Cryopreservation of Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) Embryos for Aquaculture

Sailboat on Lake Superior on a sunny day.
2020 Fast-Track Grant Project

Estimating the Economic Value of the Pleasure Cruise Industry in the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Statistical Area

large mat of green algae in water next to beach
2020-2022 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Harmful Algal Blooms: Molecular Screening Tool to Rapidly Assess Toxic Cyanobacteria Blooms in Minnesota Lakes

Diagram showing that changing temperature, precipitation, and subsequent water table conditions alter the magnitude and direction of changes in sulfur and mercury release from peatlands to water
2020-2022 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Lake Superior: Determining Future Potential Release of Mercury and Sulfur from Peatlands to the Lake Superior Basin

small round bits of colored plastic on a white background.
2020-2022 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Microplastics in Lake Superior: An Investigation of Size, Composition, and Weathering.

Illustration of Covid-19 Molecule with E, S, and M protiens indicated
2020 Fast-Track Grant Project

Monitoring the Presence of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Surface Waters Connected to Public Recreation Sites

2020-2022 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Soil Chemistry and Microbiome Transplant for Wild Rice Restoration

Beaver swimming with just it's nose above water
2018-2020 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Beavers, Streams and Steelhead

Person standing on dune near camera, two people standing on sandy beach. All three people looking toward Lake Superior and watching the movement of food-grade green dye in the water used to visualize a rip current.
2018-2020 (2021) Joint Request for Proposal Project

Defining and Forecasting Dangerous Currents on Lake Superior's South Shore

Illustration of Duluth Ship Canal with Lighthouse and Ship on Lake
2018-2020 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Perfecting an Enzyme Coating to Reduce Biofouling

Two men on a boat collecting zooplankton in plastic jugs.
2016-2018 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Ice Cover and Biological Productivity in Lake Superior

Erin Schaeffer in boat on St. Louis River Estuary holding muskellunge fish.
2016-2018 Biennial Request for Proposal Project

Tracking Muskellunge in the St. Louis River Estuary