Sea Grant Program Management

Objectives:The MIT Sea Grant College Program is responsible for Sea Grantís activities in Massachusetts and collaborates as senior partner with the Sea Grant Institutional Program at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Program Management objectives are to support the goals of the National Sea Grant College Program and those of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by deploying financial and human resources in appropriate endeavors throughout the Commonwealth. Program Management (PM-1) will support and guide MIT Sea Grant operations, strategic planning, and overall research direction, in keeping with the NSGO program strategies, goals and objectives.Methodology:Broad policy and program directions are established by two advisory bodies working in concert with the Sea Grant Director. These are the State Advisory Council and the MITSea Grant Faculty Committee. Together they form the Joint Advisory Committee representing joint advisory committee (JAC) made up of leaders of Massachusetts marine-related industries; representatives of state government and key non-governmental organizations; and faculty from MIT and other Massachusetts colleges and universities. The JAC meets twice a year, as well as providing input through email and individual meetings with the director. In spring, the JAC reviews the preliminary proposals and selects projects for recommendation for full write-up. At the fall meeting, the Joint Committee reviews the final project materials and asssists the director in selecting proposals for inclusion in the Omnibus. As staekeholder representatives, the JAC also establishes overall research objectives, advisory themes, and strategy for the program.Rationale:MIT Sea Grant oversees multiple projects, initiatives and activities connected to its overall mission. It is the locus for activities and personnel of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Lab, and the Design Lab for naval architecture and systems. These groups’ research staff and students stimulate and support many of our most important advisory and research efforts. The Labs expose all visitors to MIT Sea Grant to the latest technological developments, missions and deployments.