NH Sea Grant

Congratulations to our colleague, Evan Hennessey, on being named winner of the 2026 James Beard Award in the category of Best Chef Northeast!

Here's a to a project called that Evan collaborated with our team on a few years back:

Seaweed Mania! Virtually Delicious with Chef Evan Hennessey and Dr. Gabriela Bradt Learn about cooking and eating seaweed from the Gulf of Maine from ...

Learn more about the American Lobster Initiative with this upcoming webinar:

We're funding collaborative research that brings lobstermen and scientists together. Learn more about the Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative at our upcoming webinar:

🗓️ Tuesday, June 16, 12-1 PM ET

Register here: https://www.northeastseagrant.com/initiatives/american-lobster-initiative

You'll find application instructions and details about the request for proposals on the website. You can also drop into one of two Zoom sessions with questions about your proposal:

🖥️ June 22 at 3 PM ET
🖥️ June 30 at 10 AM ET

And don't forget the most important dates! You must submit a letter of inteny to submit a proposal, so mark Friday, July 3.

🗓️ Deadline for Letter of Intent: July 3, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
🗓️ Deadline for Full Proposals: August 28, 2026, 11:59 PM ET

Great opportunity for collaborative research in the American lobster fishery! 🦞

FUNDING ALERT FOR LOBSTER INDUSTRY AND SCIENTISTS!

The Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative is pleased to announce funding for collaborative research projects that align with emerging lobster industry and management needs.

This call is for research conducted with and for the industry.

Projects must be developed and led by research teams that include at least one fishing industry representative, such as a commercial fisherman or a representative from a commercial fishing business, including cooperatives, dealers and processors.

It's an exciting opportunity to build industry-research-management partnerships to address ecological, regulatory, and socio-economic challenges in the American lobster fishery.

🗓️ Deadline for Letter of Intent: July 3, 2026, 11:59 PM
🗓️ Deadline for Full Proposals: August 28, 2026, 11:59 PM

If you want to participate but aren't sure how, message Maine Sea Grant. We’ll get you connected!

💻 Informational Webinar: June 16, 12 PM - 1 PM
💻 Drop-in Proposal Consultations Zoom: June 22 at 3 PM & June 30 at 10 AM

Find the full RFP, application links and examples of ALI-funded projects at: https://www.northeastseagrant.com/initiatives/american-lobster-initiative

Good news, seafood lovers: UNH will lead a new national effort to grow and strengthen America’s seafood supply through aquaculture research. NOAA selected UNH to oversee the first-of-its-kind NOAA Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM).

With approximately $13.5 million in initial funding, CIFARM will support research and partnerships that will make it safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce seafood domestically.

Working with partners across the country — University of Miami, University of Southern Mississippi, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, University of Hawaii, and Sea Grants in Florida, Mississippi-Alabama, California, and Hawaii — researchers will focus on solving real-world challenges that affect both seafood producers and consumers.

“The goal is to expand, build working waterfront capabilities, and grow an educational structure for seafood economic growth and marine resource stewardship on a national scale,” says David Fredriksson, director of UNH’s Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems.

NH Sea Grant UNH Research UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering

We have great news to share this !

We have identified the University of New Hampshire as the host institution for the new NOAA Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets. We will award $13,500,000 to the institute this year to advance U.S. marine aquaculture development. This is the largest single investment in aquaculture that NOAA has ever made.

The University of New Hampshire will be supported by academic, industry, and non-governmental organization partners. Researchers will investigate topics such as engineering and technology development, artificial intelligence for aquaculture, environmental observations and forecasting, marine aquaculture demonstration projects, risk management and vulnerability analysis, and seafood markets research.

https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-strengthens-commitment-to-aquaculture-through-new-cooperative-institute

N.H. Sea Grant is putting $1.2 million toward the issues that matter most to New Hampshire's coast and the people who depend on it.

The work spans a lot of ground: coastal flooding in Portsmouth, blue crabs moving into New Hampshire waters, salt marsh restoration and recovery, better oyster aquaculture, PFAS in Great Bay species, and a new study on Atlantic cod diet and sustainability in the Gulf of Maine.

Teams from UNH, Dartmouth College, and the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will lead the work. Full details here: https://www.unh.edu/news/2026/05/nh-sea-grant-awards-12m-funding-coastal-marine-research-new-hampshire?utm_campaign=facebook&utm_content=1780681561&utm_medium=20260605&utm_source=fb

UNH Research NH Sea Grant UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture

Congratulations to NH Sea Grant's director, Erik Chapman, who has been appointed director of the UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering. Dr. Chapman will continue serving in both roles to advance University of New Hampshire's marine enterprise through research, education and outreach.

🎉 Congrats, Erik! University of New Hampshire has appointed Dr. Erik Chapman director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering (SMSOE), effective May 25, 2026, Provost Jen Riley announced recently. Chapman, who has served as interim director since February 2025, will continue to serve as director of NH Sea Grant.

"Erik has provided strategic and effective leadership during his time as interim director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, while continuing to advance the mission of New Hampshire Sea Grant," Riley said. "He brings a deep understanding of UNH's marine research, a strong record of building partnerships across the university and beyond, and a collaborative approach that has earned the trust of faculty, staff and external stakeholders. I am excited to continue working with Erik as he leads the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering into its next chapter."

"I am honored by the opportunity to continue serving the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering and the broader UNH marine community in this role," Chapman said. "The strength of SMSOE comes from the extraordinary faculty, researchers, staff, students and partners who contribute to its success. I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen UNH's marine enterprise, support excellence in research, education and outreach, and build on the school's many accomplishments."

Read the full story ➡️ https://universitysystemnh.sharepoint.com/sites/wildcat-insider/SitePages/Chapman-appointed-director-of-School-of-Marine-Science-and-Ocean-Engineering.aspx

How great is ? Find out for yourself by hopping aboard an EcoCruise this summer!

Tow for plankton, test water quality, witness fascinating marine creatures, and explore New Hampshire's largest estuary from the deck of UNH's research vessel, the R/V Gulf Challenger. 🌊

Space is limited—reserve your seat and discover Great Bay from a whole new perspective: https://seagrant.unh.edu/events/public-programs/cruises/great-bay-ecocruise