Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

What Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium does

Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) is a state-mandated marine research consortium established in 1979 by the Louisiana legislature and operating as a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents. It serves as a shared research and education platform for all 32 Louisiana public postsecondary institutions plus the 10 LAICU member colleges, with secondary end-users including federal and state agencies (NSF, BOEM, NASEM GRP, GCOOS, CPRA), K-12 schools, and tribal communities under an MOU with the Intertribal Council of Louisiana.

The platform comprises two physical laboratories and a vessel fleet. The W.J. DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie is a 75,000-square-foot complex with 26,000 usable square feet of laboratory, classroom, office, and library space, including 8 research labs with running seawater, 6 dry labs, nearly 50 indoor and outdoor mesocosm systems, dormitory housing for 80 people, a 99-seat auditorium, and a Distance Learning and Video Center. Blue Works, opened December 7, 2023, on the Houma Maritime Campus adds engineering- and technology-focused research space, an expanded library, exhibit space, and a 1,000+ specimen natural history collection. Supporting assets include the Biodiversity Lab, Experimental Facilities, LUMCON Library, environmental monitoring stations, scientific diving operations, and four research vessels (R/V Pelican, R/V Point Sur, R/V Gilbert R. Mason, R/V Acadiana).

LUMCON is a nonprofit, state-funded entity and does not generate revenue in the conventional commercial sense. Operating funding is blended across state appropriations via the Board of Regents, federal research grants and contracts (including NSF, BOEM, NASEM GRP, and GCOOS), facility and program fees (K-12 field trips, summer camps at subsidized rates, student internships, meeting rentals), and philanthropic contributions from foundations such as the Bayou Community Foundation, South Louisiana Bank, and The Brown Foundation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the organization's go-to-market relies on its statutory consortium mandate and physical infrastructure rather than commercial sales.

Name

Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

Legal name

Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium

Website

https://lumcon.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

LUMCON is a Louisiana state-mandated marine research consortium that operates two research laboratories and a four-vessel fleet, serving the state's 32 public universities, federal agencies, and K-12 programs with coastal research infrastructure and education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Research and Education Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Marine research services
• Coastal science
• Oceanographic research
• Marine education programs
• Environmental monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Chauvin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: LUMCON is a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents and receives state government funding as a statewide academic resource for marine science research and education.
2. Research Grants and Contracts: LUMCON faculty and staff secure external funding from federal agencies including NSF, BOEM, NASEM GRP, and GCOOS for specific research projects and programs.
3. Facility and Program Fees: Revenue from educational programs including K-12 field trips, summer camps, student internships, and facility rental for meetings and workshops. Camps are offered at subsidized rates to increase access.
4. Philanthropic Support: LUMCON relies on dedicated partners and donors for innovative research and education opportunities, with the LUMCON Foundation (now dissolved) having previously supported the organization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LUMCON operates two world-class marine laboratories (the W. J. DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie and Blue Works in Houma) and a fleet of four research vessels (R/V Pelican, R/V Point Sur, R/V Gilbert R. Mason, R/V Acadiana) to deliver marine and coastal research infrastructure and academic programs to Louisiana's 32 public universities plus LAICU member institutions. The consortium conducts scientific research on coastal restoration, hypoxia, wetland ecology, and climate impacts, and provides education programs including graduate fellowships, undergraduate research experiences (REU), K-12 field trips, summer camps, and student internships.

Product overview

LUMCON is a marine science research consortium (est. 1979) operating two world-class marine laboratories—the W. J. DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie and Blue Works in Houma—alongside a fleet of four research vessels (R/V Pelican, R/V Point Sur, R/V Gilbert R. Mason, R/V Acadiana). The organization functions as a platform delivering research infrastructure and education programs, including graduate fellowships, undergraduate research experiences (REU), K-12 field trips, summer camps, and student internships. Supporting facilities include the Biodiversity Lab, Experimental Facilities with ~50 mesocosm systems, the LUMCON Library, Environmental Monitoring Stations, and Scientific Diving Operations. The DeFelice Marine Center (75,000 sq ft, 8 seawater research labs, 6 dry labs, 99-seat auditorium, DLVC) serves as the primary research hub, while Blue Works (opened Dec 2023) expands engineering and technology-focused research from the Houma Maritime Campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP): One of 28 National Estuary Programs designated by EPA to protect or restore estuaries of national significance. Hosted state agency for this federally supported affiliate.
• Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research Reserve

Products and services

• W. J. DeFelice Marine Center A 75,000 sq ft living laboratory research facility in Cocodrie, LA, providing 26,000 sq ft of laboratory, classroom, office, and library space with 8 research labs with running seawater, 6 dry labs, nearly 50 mesocosm systems, dormitory housing for 80 people, a cafeteria, auditorium, and Distance Learning and Video Center (DLVC). Available for guided tours, extended field trips, and consortium research access.
• Blue Works Facility A state-of-the-art engineering and technology-focused facility on the Houma Maritime Campus featuring research and education spaces, collaborative working areas, a flexible lecture hall, exhibit space, library expansion with rare holdings, and a natural history collection with over 1000 specimens. Available for meetings, events, and consortium member use.
• R/V Pelican A world-class research vessel operated from the DeFelice Marine Center, providing field research capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal Louisiana waters for consortium members and external collaborators.
• R/V Point Sur A world-class research vessel operated from the DeFelice Marine Center, providing field research capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal Louisiana waters for consortium members and external collaborators.
• R/V Gilbert R. Mason A world-class research vessel operated from the DeFelice Marine Center, providing field research capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal Louisiana waters for consortium members and external collaborators.
• R/V Acadiana A world-class research vessel operated from the DeFelice Marine Center, providing field research capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal Louisiana waters for consortium members and external collaborators.
• Graduate Fellowship Program Supports graduate students in marine and coastal sciences through research experiences and funding opportunities at LUMCON's facilities. Targeted at graduate students from consortium member universities pursuing marine and coastal science research.
• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) A program providing undergraduate students meaningful, hands-on research experience using state-of-the-art methods and technologies at LUMCON. Targeted at undergraduates from consortium member institutions.
• K-12 Field Trip Programs Funded field trip programs for K-12 students to the Marine Center, eliminating financial and distance barriers. Over 800 students have benefited, with programs funded by Bayou Community Foundation, South Louisiana Bank, and The Brown Foundation. Targeted at Louisiana K-12 schools and students.
• Summer Camp Programs High-quality, in-depth marine science camps for middle and high school students, funded through external and grant funding to keep costs affordable and increase access to Louisiana's coastal ocean and the Gulf.
• Student Internship Programs High school student internship program developing leadership and educational skills with mentorship and career exploration in a professional marine lab setting.
• Scientific Diving Operations Scientific diving capabilities including diver training, active diver status, satellite programs, and dive operations planning supporting underwater research for consortium members and external researchers.
• Environmental Monitoring Environmental monitoring stations and services tracking coastal and marine environmental conditions across LUMCON's research areas, providing real-time data on coastal and marine conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 students benefited from funded field trips to the Marine Center
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBTNEP is a federally supported affiliate of LUMCON and is one of 28 National Estuary Programs. The organization works on coastal and estuarine conservation in the Barataria-Terrebonne basin region.
• Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe soon-to-be designated Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research Reserve is hosted by LUMCON as a state agency affiliate, expanding the organization's research and conservation portfolio.
• Louisiana Board of RegentscoreOthersLUMCON is a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents. In 2016, legislation was passed placing LUMCON directly under the Board of Regents, providing institutional governance and state funding.
• Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLUMCON collaborates with CPRA on research providing management-oriented scientific insight for coastal restoration, wetland management, and sea-level rise vulnerability assessments.
• Nicholls State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLUMCON previously leased the Fourchon field station from Nicholls State University from 1979 until 2021 when it was turned back over to Nicholls.
• Fletcher Technical Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFletcher Technical Community College shares the Houma Maritime Campus location with LUMCON's Blue Works facility, enabling workforce development collaboration.
• Bayou Community FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization that funds K-12 field trips to LUMCON's Marine Center, eliminating financial barriers for students to access marine science education.
• The Brown FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation funding K-12 field trips to LUMCON's Marine Center as part of efforts to increase access to marine science education.
• South Louisiana BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bank funding K-12 field trips to LUMCON's Marine Center to support student exposure to marine science careers.
• Intertribal Council of LouisianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU established to better serve the native American community by offering spaces in K-12 education programs, undergraduate student retention, and assistance with recruitment of job applicants.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Florida Atlantic University): University-affiliated marine research institute with research vessels and oceanographic facilities. Comparable as a state/university-anchored marine research platform with vessel operations, graduate programs, and federal grant funding focus.
• Skidaway Island Oceanographic Institute (University of Georgia): University of Georgia marine research campus on the U.S. Southeast coast. Comparable as a university-affiliated marine field station with research vessels, graduate programs, and coastal ecosystem research focus, though smaller scale and different geography.
• Hatfield Marine Science Center (Oregon State University): OSU's coastal marine research and education campus in Newport, OR. Comparable as a state university marine research facility with research vessels, REU/graduate programs, and K-12 outreach — serves a similar coastal-consortium function on a different coast.
• Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Alabama's marine research and education consortium of ~20 member institutions operating a coastal field station. Highly comparable multi-institution consortium model, K-12 outreach, and estuarine/coastal research mission — essentially LUMCON's neighbor institution on the northern Gulf.
• Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (University of Southern Mississippi): University-based marine research lab on the Gulf Coast focused on coastal and marine science. Most direct geographic peer to LUMCON — overlapping research portfolio, federal grant funding mix, and Gulf Coast mission, with shared jurisdictional competition for BOEM/NSF coastal funding.

Broad incumbents

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: UC San Diego's oceanographic research institution with a large research fleet and graduate program. Highly comparable as a consortium/University-affiliated marine research platform delivering field research, graduate education, and federally-funded science.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Larger private non-profit oceanographic research institution operating multiple research vessels and labs. Comparable in mission (marine science research, graduate education) and in operating research infrastructure for federal grant-funded science, though much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): Private non-profit oceanographic research institute operating its own fleet of research vessels and advanced marine technology. Comparable as a non-university marine research platform with proprietary technology and deep federal/private funding mix.
• Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL, University of Chicago): Private-affiliate marine and biomedical research institution with educational programs. Comparable in operating a coastal research station, hosting visiting researchers, and delivering graduate-level research experiences — though mission is broader (biomedical).

Others

• Ocean Exploration Trust: Non-profit operating the E/V Nautilus for ocean exploration with a strong education/communications mission. Comparable in operating research vessels, federal grant funding, and dual research/education mission; not a direct competitor but functionally similar in vessel-based public-facing marine science.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LUMCONscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lumcon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium