Texas Sea Grant to Fund $1.9 Million for Five New Research Grants Approved by NOAA

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas Sea Grant College Program at Texas A&M University will fund five new research grants, approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), totaling $1.9 million over a two-year period of performance. The grants will begin February 1, 2026, and continue through January 31, 2028, to fund research at universities throughout the State of Texas to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and healthy coastal and marine ecosystems.

Through partnerships with the State of Texas and NOAA, Texas Sea Grant conducts a competitive research grant program every two years that draws on the expertise of the state’s top scientists. Funded projects are selected using a competitive and rigorous peer-review process that considers the project’s potential to produce substantial and beneficial impacts to society and its ability to integrate research and extension efforts.

Projects must also align with Texas Sea Grant’s 2024-2027 strategic plan and focus area funding priorities as published in the 2026-28 request for proposals, including Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Resilient Communities and Economies, Healthy Coastal Ecosystems and Environmental Education and Workforce Development.

Projects for the 2026-28 period include:

• “Integrating Economic, Genetic and Insights to Strengthen the Texas Oyster Aquaculture Industry,” Clements Daglia Calil, Yuri, Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service
• “Beyond Storm Surge: AI-Driven Predictions of Groundwater-Influenced Coastal Flooding on Texas Barrier Islands,” Dorina Murgulet, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
• “Life in the PFAS lane: the Impact of Per/Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on Coastal communities in Texas,” Quigg, Antoinetta, Texas A&M University – Galveston
• “Impacts of PFAS exposure on spotted seatrout populations,” Seemann, Frauke Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
• “Integrating geospatial and participatory approaches to enhance flood resilience through private land conservation in the Texas Coastal Prairie,” Gerard, Kyle, Texas A&M University AgriLife Research

ABOUT TEXAS SEA GRANT
Texas Sea Grant is a unique partnership that unites the resources of the federal government, the State of Texas, universities, and communities across the state to create knowledge, tools, products, and services that benefit the economy, the environment, and the citizens of Texas. It is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is one of 34 university-based Sea Grant Programs across the nation. Texas Sea Grant is a non-academic research and extension program at Texas A&M University. The program’s mission is to improve the understanding, wise use, and stewardship of Texas coastal and marine resources.