The University of Maine announced today that the federal government has restored $4.5 million in Sea Grant funding, which had been terminated in February.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced in march that it would renegotiate the grant award after U.S. Sen. Susan Collins intervened on the school's behalf. The agency notified UMaine this week that it would restore the funds.
UMaine officials say the money will allow the program to continue for the three remaining years of the original four-year award.
They say the program sustains 20 jobs and provides research and resources to the states' coastal and marine economies. In 2023, the University estimates the Sea Grant helped generate more than $23 million.
There are 34 Sea Grant programs across the country and Maine's was the only on terminated by the Trump administration.
