The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG) today announced a new funding opportunity for promising two-year research projects addressing issues relevant to the southern Lake Michigan ecosystem and the surrounding communities in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.

The competitive grant program funds research projects aligned with the goals outlined in the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Strategic Plan 2024-2027. These goals include Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Resilient Communities and Economies, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development.

IISG plans to award successful projects up to $200,000 per project ($100,000 per year) with a 50% non-federal match requirement. Applications are due March 5, 2025.

View the full request for proposals for more information.

Focus Areas and Research Topics

IISG will consider any proposal that is aligned with the goals of the strategic plan. However, two focus areas will receive special prioritization in this funding competition.

  1. Projects with outcomes that demonstrate broad scientific accessibility for veterans, rural populations, or other groups that face science-accessibility challenges.
  2. Projects exploring social, economic, or legal barriers to aquaculture production of Illinois- and/or Indiana-grown fish or shellfish.

In addition, there are several other topics of interest this cycle, including:

  • Helping communities or ecosystems adapt to changing lake levels in southern Lake Michigan.
  • The development, deployment and/or analyses of novel sensors and resulting data for studying physicochemical and biotic dynamics of southern Lake Michigan
  • Analyzing contaminant levels in fish or shellfish that are or can be used for food.
  • Addressing environmental justice concerns associated with restoration of degraded southern Lake Michigan coastal sites (e.g., decommissioned power plants, industrial parks).
  • Analyzing contaminant input into southern Lake Michigan associated with roads, road traffic, and driving.
  • Conducting human dimensions research on fisheries on Lake Michigan or its tributaries.

Questions regarding eligibility or submission requirements may be directed to Stuart Carlton at carltons@purdue.edu.


 

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a partnership between NOAA, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, bringing science together with communities for solutions that work. Sea Grant is a network of 34 science, education and outreach programs located in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Lake Champlain, Puerto Rico and Guam.

 

IISG Instagram

Making Sense of Social Media: Presented by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant & Purdue Extension‌When: December 6, 2025, from 1 - 4:00 PM ESTWhere: RDM Shrimp, RDM Shrimp, 101 N 850 E, Fowler, IN 47944Registration Link in bio.‌Social media can be a great way to market your small business and products, but sometimes it might feel like you are casting a net again and again to find that your net is empty. After all, the point of using social media marketing is to connect with customers. By attending this workshop, you will:-Hear Research Findings-Participate in an Interactive Workshop Session-Learn Real World Application-Tour a Shrimp Farm-Network at the “After Hour Social”‌This program is supported by the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center and put on in partnership with the Indiana Aquaculture Association Inc, RDM Shrimp, and Ohio Sea Grant, The Ohio State University.‌For questions contact Amy Shambach by email (ashambac@purdue.edu) or phone (317-238-0511)
This Halloween, we’re diving into the eerie depths of the Great Lakes.Each lake has its own spooky story:🕯️ Lake Superior hides ghost ships beneath its icy waves...🦴 Lake Michigan whispers tales of vanishing beaches…🌉Lake Huron hides prehistoric hunting camps on a lake bottom ridge...🧪 Lake Erie bubbles with algal blooms that glow like potions...🦠 Lake Ontario was first to host strange creatures like the blood sucking sea lamprey. Never fear, we have resources to help you make these fascinating topics less frightening at iiseagrant.org/education.
Skip to content