Investigating Coastal Issues
Michigan Sea Grant supports research teams that study an array of issues affecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s coastal areas. Research projects focus on complex environmental challenges and meeting and anticipating changing needs of stakeholders and decision-makers. The goal of the MSG research program is to provide science-based information for real-life situations.
2013 Request for Proposals
Michigan Sea Grant is currently accepting full proposals for Integrated Assessment research projects that will run from mid-2014 to 2016. The full proposal deadline is May 20. Only those who submitted a pre-proposal and were invited to submit a full proposal should submit.
- Learn more at the RFP page
Integrated Research Teams
Outreach and collaboration are essential components of each research project. With long-standing community relationships, Sea Grant specialists help researchers connect with community leaders. Researchers regularly consult with decision makers and stakeholders throughout the project to ensure that current needs and feasible solutions are addressed.
Previous research projects have focused on:
- Economic development and coastal tourism
- Wind energy development options
- Stormwater runoff
- Impacts to shoreline habitats
- Fish contaminants and consumption advisories
To read about research projects underway,
see: Current Projects
Research Approach
Michigan Sea Grant supports research teams that follow an Integrated Assessment approach. Projects synthesize existing natural and social scientific information in the context of a policy or management question. The goal is to develop information, create tools and build partnerships that will improve decision making for particularly challenging coastal issues in the state.
To learn more, see: Integrated Assessment Approach
Carrying Out Research
Michigan Sea Grant also seeks out research opportunities and partnerships that align with program goals. For example, the program recently received grant money to pursue several projects under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Michigan Sea Grant was awarded more than $1.5 million to help restore particular areas in the region and is leading two projects while assisting on five others. The projects focus on endangered fish, invasive species, beach contamination, water pollution and sound boating and marina operations.
To learn more, see: Restoration and GLRI Projects
