The State of Michigan is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes with a total of more than 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. Water is vital to the state's identity, economy, and environmental health. Through a variety of initiatives directed to research, education and outreach Michigan Sea Grant focuses on issues and opportunities surrounding the Great Lakes.

Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program of the University of Michigan (UM) and Michigan State University (MSU), is part of the National Sea Grant College Program. The UM School of Natural Resources and Environment and the MSU Extension Greening Institute provide matching funds to carry out programs in Michigan.

Michigan Sea Grant supports a variety of research projects led by research teams based at universities in Michigan. The program also supports extension educators located in coastal communities and communications specialists that support public outreach. Education efforts highlight information about Michigan's coastal Great Lakes areas.

Michigan Sea Grant sends out a Request for Proposals every two years. Research proposals are selected for funding through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. The next RFP will be issued in early 2015. Researchers from any accredited university in the state of Michigan are eligible to apply as a principal investigator. However, project teams are not limited to university researchers or Michigan residents.