---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1126"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1126"
heading: "Sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1126"
units:
  - "Chapter 22 — Sea Grant Colleges and Marine Science Development"
  - "Subchapter II — National Sea Grant College Program"
---

# §1126. Sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes

- (a) **Designation—**
  - (1) A [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) or [sea grant institute](/usc/33/1122.md?p=13) shall meet the following qualifications—
    - (A) have an existing broad base of competence in fields related to [ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources](/usc/33/1122.md?p=7);
    - (B) make a long-term commitment to the objective in [section 1121(b) of this title](/usc/33/1121.md?p=b), as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15);
    - (C) cooperate with other [sea grant colleges](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) and institutes and other [persons](/usc/33/1122.md?p=10) to solve problems or meet needs relating to [ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources](/usc/33/1122.md?p=7);
    - (D) have received financial assistance under [section 1124 of this title](/usc/33/1124.md);
    - (E) be recognized for excellence in fields related to [ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources](/usc/33/1122.md?p=7) (including marine [resources](/usc/33/1122.md?p=8) management and science), as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15); and
    - (F) meet such other qualifications as the [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15), in consultation with the [Board](/usc/33/1122.md?p=9), considers necessary or appropriate.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15) may designate an [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), or an association or alliance of two or more such [institutions](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), as a [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) if the [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), association, or alliance—
    - (A) meets the qualifications in [paragraph (1)](#a-1); and
    - (B) maintains a program of research, extension services, training, and education in fields related to [ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources](/usc/33/1122.md?p=7).
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15) may designate an [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), or an association or alliance of two or more such [institutions](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), as a [sea grant institute](/usc/33/1122.md?p=13) if the [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), association, or alliance—
    - (A) meets the qualifications in [paragraph (1)](#a-1); and
    - (B) maintains a program which [includes](/usc/33/1122.md?p=6), 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](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), or an association or alliance of two or more such [institutions](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), as a [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) or [sea grant institute](/usc/33/1122.md?p=13) under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15) 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](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15) may not designate an [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), or an association or alliance of two or more such [institutions](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), as a [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) or [sea grant institute](/usc/33/1122.md?p=13) under [subsection (a)](#a) if, before the end of the 30-day period described in [subparagraph (A)](#b-1-A), a joint resolution disapproving the designation is enacted.
  - (2) **Existing designees—** Any [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), or association or alliance of two or more such [institutions](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), designated as a [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) or awarded institutional program status by the [Director](/usc/33/1122.md?p=2) prior to March 6, 1998, shall not have to reapply for designation as a [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) or [sea grant institute](/usc/33/1122.md?p=13), respectively, after March 6, 1998, if the [Director](/usc/33/1122.md?p=2) determines that the [institution](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), or association or alliance of [institutions](/usc/33/1122.md?p=5), meets the qualifications in [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Suspension or termination of designation—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15) may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or terminate any designation under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Duties—** Subject to any regulations prescribed or guidelines established by the [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15), it shall be the responsibility of each [sea grant college](/usc/33/1122.md?p=12) and [sea grant institute](/usc/33/1122.md?p=13)—
  - (1) to develop and implement, in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/33/1122.md?p=15) and the [Board](/usc/33/1122.md?p=9), a program that is consistent with the guidelines and priorities established under [section 1123(c) of this title](/usc/33/1123.md?p=c); and
  - (2) to conduct a merit review of all proposals for grants and contracts to be awarded under [section 1124 of this title](/usc/33/1124.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–454, title II, § 207, as added Pub. L. 94–461, § 2, Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1966; amended Pub. L. 100–220, title III, § 3104(b)(1)(E), Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1470; Pub. L. 105–160, § 7, Mar. 6, 1998, 112 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 107–299, § 8, Nov. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 2348; Pub. L. 110–394, §§ 7, 9(a)(4)(C)(ii), Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4207, 4208; Pub. L. 113–188, title II, § 201(a), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2018; Pub. L. 116–221, § 7, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1059.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–221, § 7(2), added par. (1), designated existing provisions as par. (2), and inserted par. (2) heading.

Pub. L. 116–221, § 7(1), substituted “Additional designations” for “Existing designees” in heading.

2014—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–188, which directed amendment of section 207 of the National Sea Grant Program Act by striking subsec. (e), was executed to this section, which is section 207 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) related to annual reports on progress made by colleges, universities, institutions, associations, and alliances to become designated under this section as sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes.

2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(F). Pub. L. 110–394, § 9(a)(4)(C)(ii), substituted “Board” for “panel”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (3)(B). Pub. L. 110–394, § 7, substituted “extension services” for “advisory services”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 110–394, § 9(a)(4)(C)(ii), substituted “Board” for “panel”.

2002—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–299 added subsec. (e).

1998—Pub. L. 105–160 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment text consisted of subsecs. (a) to (c) relating to authorization of the Secretary to designate sea grant college and sea grant regional consortia with certain prerequisites, requirement of regulations to prescribe qualifications and guidelines, and authorization of the Secretary to suspend or terminate any designation.

1987—Subsec. (a)(2)(A), (3)(A), (B). Pub. L. 100–220 substituted “ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources” for “ocean and coastal resources”.