(a) Designation

(1) A sea grant college or sea grant institute shall meet the following qualifications—

(A) have an existing broad base of competence in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources;

(B) make a long-term commitment to the objective in section 1121(b) of this title, as determined by the Secretary;

(C) cooperate with other sea grant colleges and institutes and other persons to solve problems or meet needs relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources;

(D) have received financial assistance under section 1124 of this title;

(E) be recognized for excellence in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources (including marine resources management and science), as determined by the Secretary; and

(F) meet such other qualifications as the Secretary, in consultation with the Board, considers necessary or appropriate.


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Terms Used In 33 USC 1126

  • association: when used in reference to a corporation, shall be deemed to embrace the words "successors and assigns of such company or association" in like manner as if these last-named words, or words of similar import, were expressed. See 1 USC 5
  • Board: means the National Sea Grant Advisory Board established under section 1128 of this title. See 33 USC 1122
  • Director: means the Director of the national sea grant college program, appointed pursuant to section 1123(b) 1 of this title. See 33 USC 1122
  • institution: means any public or private institution of higher education, institute, laboratory, or State or local agency. See 33 USC 1122
  • Joint resolution: A legislative measure which requires the approval of both chambers.
  • sea grant college: means any institution, or any association or alliance of two or more such institutions, designated as such by the Secretary under section 1126 of this title. See 33 USC 1122
  • sea grant institute: means any institution, or any association or alliance of two or more such institutions, designated as such by the Secretary under section 1126 of this title. See 33 USC 1122
  • Secretary: means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. See 33 USC 1122
  • writing: includes printing and typewriting and reproductions of visual symbols by photographing, multigraphing, mimeographing, manifolding, or otherwise. See 1 USC 1

(2) The Secretary may designate an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college if the institution, association, or alliance—

(A) meets the qualifications in paragraph (1); and

(B) maintains a program of research, extension services, training, and education in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.


(3) The Secretary may designate an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant institute if the institution, association, or alliance—

(A) meets the qualifications in paragraph (1); and

(B) maintains a program which includes, at a minimum, research and extension services.

(b) Additional designations

(1) Notification to Congress of designations

(A) In general

Not less than 30 days before designating an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college or sea grant institute under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify Congress in writing of the proposed designation. The notification shall include an evaluation and justification for the designation.

(B) Effect of joint resolution of disapproval

The Secretary may not designate an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college or sea grant institute under subsection (a) if, before the end of the 30-day period described in subparagraph (A), a joint resolution disapproving the designation is enacted.

(2) Existing designees

Any institution, or association or alliance of two or more such institutions, designated as a sea grant college or awarded institutional program status by the Director prior to March 6, 1998, shall not have to reapply for designation as a sea grant college or sea grant institute, respectively, after March 6, 1998, if the Director determines that the institution, or association or alliance of institutions, meets the qualifications in subsection (a).

(c) Suspension or termination of designation

The Secretary may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or terminate any designation under subsection (a).

(d) Duties

Subject to any regulations prescribed or guidelines established by the Secretary, it shall be the responsibility of each sea grant college and sea grant institute—

(1) to develop and implement, in consultation with the Secretary and the Board, a program that is consistent with the guidelines and priorities established under section 1123(c) of this title; and

(2) to conduct a merit review of all proposals for grants and contracts to be awarded under section 1124 of this title.