Summary

Creates a federal program to establish regional Ocean Innovation Clusters and physical Ocean Innovation Centers to support coastal and ocean-related economic development, workforce training, seafood supply chains, and cross-sector innovation. The Department of Commerce, working with Sea Grant and other officials, must designate at least seven clusters within one year, coordinate across agencies, and measure economic effects using the Marine Economy Satellite Account. Competitive grants (up to $10 million each) will help clusters start and operate; Congress authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 to fund the program.

Key Points

• Creates a national Ocean Innovation Clusters program to support regional ocean and coastal economic development.
• Requires the Department of Commerce to designate at least seven clusters within one year and to establish physical Ocean Innovation Centers in cluster regions.
• Authorizes competitive grants (2-year terms, renewable) to clusters with each grant capped at $10 million.
• Congress authorizes $10 million per year for FY2026–2030 to support the grant program.
• Sea Grant and Commerce officials must be consulted; interagency liaisons and coordination are required.
• Program priorities include workforce development, seafood supply-chain resilience, commercialization, and cross-sector collaboration in the Blue Economy.
• Economic impacts must be tracked using the Marine Economy Satellite Account.
• Grants aim to help clusters become membership-based and self-sustaining over time.

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