University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes

What University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes does

University of Wisconsin Sea Grant (WISG), co-located with the Water Resources Institute under the UW-Madison Aquatic Sciences Center, is a federal-state outreach partnership established in 1968 and one of 34 NOAA Sea Grant programs serving coastal and Great Lakes states. The program supports multi-disciplinary research, education, and outreach dedicated to stewardship and sustainable use of the Great Lakes, generating $89 million in annual economic impacts and reaching 67,621 K-12 students, lifelong learners, and 285 natural resource managers per year.

The organization conducts scientific research across PFAS contamination, aquatic invasive species, coastal processes and engineering, fisheries, aquaculture, water quality, mapping/GIS, and social science. Notable technical work includes Tisha King-Heiden's PFAS neurological/immune impact studies on sturgeon, walleye, and fathead minnows using C-start response high-speed camera testing, ice angler risk perception research led by Nan Li and Bret Shaw, and the first published detections of PFAS in maple sap/syrup conducted with emerging contaminants scientist Gavin Dehnert. Educational products include the Coastal Engineering Curriculum with wave tank simulations, Shipboard Science Immersion aboard the EPA Lake Guardian vessel, and the Aquaculture Challenge.

The business model is government-funded through NOAA appropriations with state of Wisconsin matching, augmented by competitive grants from USGS, Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment, Brittingham Trust, and tribal partners. Outputs are provided free to the public; the program employs 31 staff across its Madison headquarters. Distribution occurs through four podcast series (Introduced, The Fish Dish, Wisconsin Water News, Public Trust), digital publications, social channels, in-person workshops, and direct educator engagement. Major partnerships span NOAA (funder), EPA (vessel access), GLIFWC and Voigt Intertribal Task Force (tribal research), WDNR, USGS, and the Center for Great Lakes Literacy network.

Name

University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes

Legal name

University of Wisconsin Sea Grant

Website

https://seagrant.wisc.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wisconsin Sea Grant is a federal-state research, education, and outreach partnership under NOAA and UW-Madison, supporting Great Lakes conservation through multi-disciplinary science, K-12 curricula, podcasts, and tribal and community partnerships serving Wisconsin and the broader Great Lakes region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Great Lakes research and water resources education outreach

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Other Aquaculture (112519)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAE

Marine & Freshwater Conservation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAGAK

Water Resources & Watershed Protection

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPADALAI

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYBPAIAMAI

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYBPAIAMAE

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

Keywords

• Great Lakes research
• Water resources education
• Aquatic invasive species outreach
• Coastal resilience programs
• Environmental science literacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal-State Partnership Funding: Wisconsin Sea Grant is a federal-state outreach partnership funded primarily through NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) appropriations, with matching contributions from the state of Wisconsin. The program is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by NOAA in coastal and Great Lakes states.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Wisconsin Sea Grant and the Wisconsin Water Resources Institute are federal-state outreach partnership programs administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Aquatic Sciences Center. They support multi-disciplinary Great Lakes research, deliver K-12 and educator education programs, and conduct community outreach campaigns covering PFAS contamination, aquatic invasive species prevention, coastal resilience, fisheries science, aquaculture, and water quality. Deliverables include curricula, podcasts, publications, workshops, the Shipboard Science Immersion aboard EPA research vessels, and awareness campaigns such as Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! and Clean Drain Dry, all provided at no cost to the public.

Product overview

University of Wisconsin Sea Grant and the Water Resources Institute are federal-state research, education, and outreach programs administered by the Aquatic Sciences Center at UW-Madison. Wisconsin Sea Grant supports multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach dedicated to Great Lakes conservation, health, and sustainability, while the Water Resources Institute focuses on broader water resources research. The portfolio includes educational programs (Shipboard Science Immersion, Aquaculture Challenge, scholarships), publications (Aquatic Sciences Chronicle, Wisconsin Water Library), podcasts (Introduced, The Fish Dish, Wisconsin Water News, Public Trust), and awareness campaigns (Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!, Clean Drain Dry). The organizations also produce educational curricula for K-12 educators and support community-engaged research initiatives addressing PFAS contamination, aquatic invasive species, coastal resilience, and fisheries management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Introduced: Podcast series diving into stories of aquatic invaders costing millions and changing lakes, streams, and wetlands
• The Fish Dish
• Wisconsin Water News
• Public Trust
• Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!
• Clean Drain Dry
• Eat Wisconsin Fish
• Freshwater@UW
• Great Lakes, Great Read
• Shipboard Science Immersion
• Center for Great Lakes Literacy

Products and services

• Wisconsin Sea Grant Program Core federal-state partnership program of multidisciplinary Great Lakes research, education, and outreach administered through the UW-Madison Aquatic Sciences Center, serving natural resource managers, educators, tribal communities, and the public.
• Wisconsin Water Resources Institute (WRI) Water resources research institute administered by the Aquatic Sciences Center, conducting water-related research across Wisconsin and supported through the federal Water Resources Research Act Program administered by USGS.
• Education Programs Educational resources, professional development opportunities, scholarships, fellowships, and career resources for K-12 students, educators, and lifelong learners across Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.
• Shipboard Science Immersion Week-long educational experience aboard EPA research vessels where educators work alongside scientists conducting Great Lakes research, part of the Center for Great Lakes Literacy.
• Great Lakes, Great Read Basin-wide shared-reading program based on the One Book, One Community model, run in partnership with libraries and organizations throughout Great Lakes states.
• Aquaculture Challenge Competition for Wisconsin high school teams to design and build aquaponic systems that promotes aquaculture education.
• Coastal Engineering Curriculum Six-lesson curriculum for middle schoolers covering Great Lakes coastal processes, engineering structures, stormwater management, and green infrastructure, featuring hands-on wave tank activities.
• Aquaculture Outreach Outreach and education program supporting Wisconsin's aquaculture industry and commercial fishing operations.
• Publications Repository Online repository of publications and educational materials from Wisconsin Sea Grant, including reports, posters, fact sheets, and free downloadable curriculum resources.
• Aquatic Sciences Chronicle Newsletter Newsletter covering news about the Aquatic Sciences Center, Wisconsin Sea Grant, and Water Resources Institute research and programs.
• Introduced Podcast Podcast series diving into stories of aquatic invaders that are changing the Great Lakes region.
• The Fish Dish Podcast Podcast introducing the people behind Wisconsin's fishing and aquaculture industries, featuring recipes and discussions about Great Lakes fish.
• Wisconsin Water News Podcast Podcast featuring in-person and phone interviews of people behind Wisconsin Sea Grant and Water Resources Institute stories.
• Public Trust Podcast Award-winning podcast series produced with Midwest Environmental Advocates that explores Wisconsin communities impacted by PFAS contamination and their fight for clean water rights.
• Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Outreach Campaign National brand and outreach campaign encouraging recreational boaters to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species through proper boat cleaning and drainage.
• Clean Drain Dry Outreach Campaign National brand and outreach campaign supporting invasive species prevention through proper cleaning, draining, and drying of water-related equipment.
• Center for Great Lakes Literacy Collaborative network led by Sea Grant educators throughout the Great Lakes watershed that fosters informed stewardship through hands-on experiences and educational resources.
• Community-Engaged Research Research programs connecting scientists with communities to address local water resource challenges and inform decision-making.
• Wisconsin Water Library Library providing access to water-related publications and resources for researchers and the public.

Quantifiable outcome

• $89 Million in annual economic impacts
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2026EPA provides the research vessel Lake Guardian for the Shipboard Science Immersion program through the Great Lakes National Program Office. Partners with NOAA and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to fund educator experiences aboard the ship.
• Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborative network of Sea Grant educators throughout the Great Lakes watershed that fosters informed stewardship through hands-on experiences and educational resources promoting Great Lakes literacy.
• Library of the Great LakesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Lead partner in the Great Lakes, Great Read program, a basin-wide shared reading initiative selecting books about Great Lakes history and science.
• Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023GLIFWC represents Ojibwe tribes in fish and wildlife management across Ceded Territories. Partners on PFAS research, traditional harvesting studies, and video documentation of tribal spearfishing practices.
• Voigt Intertribal Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Composed of 10 Ojibwe tribes, the Task Force initiates research priorities including PFAS testing in harvestable goods and traditional food safety assessment across Ceded Territories.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA provides primary federal funding for Wisconsin Sea Grant as one of 34 Sea Grant programs nationwide. The partnership supports research, education, and outreach for marine and Great Lakes resource stewardship through the National Sea Grant College Program.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSGS provides funding through the Water Resources Research Act Program and collaborates on research including PFAS studies in maple syrup and wildlife testing.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in fisheries management, water quality monitoring, and wild rice restoration projects. Collaborates on research and provides technical expertise on aquatic resources.
• Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! / Clean Drain DrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational brand partnerships providing outreach materials and messaging for aquatic invasive species prevention. Wisconsin Sea Grant research demonstrated these programs effectively change boater behavior.
• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome institution providing administrative support through the Aquatic Sciences Center, which also administers the Water Resources Institute and Water@UW-Madison.
• Midwest Environmental AdvocatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental advocacy organization that co-produces the Public Trust podcast series exploring Wisconsin communities impacted by PFAS contamination.
• 1854 Treaty AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal natural resource agency partnering on wild rice restoration and Manoomin camp educational experiences in the St. Louis River Estuary.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Great Lakes Commission: Binational U.S.-Canadian agency representing the eight Great Lakes states on regional water policy. Operates in the same Great Lakes conservation and policy space as Wisconsin Sea Grant but with a broader interstate mandate and policy advocacy role.
• Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL): NOAA's federal research laboratory specializing in Great Lakes science including physical oceanography, ecosystems, and climate. As the broader parent organization funding Sea Grant, GLERL operates at greater scale and depth in Great Lakes research, making it a broad incumbent in the same scientific space.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Wisconsin Water Science Center: Federal science agency conducting hydrologic monitoring, water quality assessment, and PFAS research in Wisconsin through the Water Resources Research Act Program. A major funder and research partner of Wisconsin Sea Grant, with overlapping mandate on Wisconsin water resources and contaminant science.

Direct peers

• Michigan Sea Grant: Direct peer Sea Grant program under NOAA at University of Michigan, focused on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Operates with the same federal-state partnership model, providing research, education, and outreach on Great Lakes issues including aquatic invasive species, fisheries, and coastal communities — directly comparable funding, structure, and mission.
• Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant: Direct peer Sea Grant program serving Illinois and Indiana coastal communities on southern Lake Michigan. Operates the same NOAA-funded model with comparable education, research, and outreach portfolios targeting Great Lakes stewardship, water quality, and invasive species prevention.
• Ohio Sea Grant: Direct peer Sea Grant program at The Ohio State University focused on Lake Erie. Operates the same federal-state partnership structure with parallel education, research, and outreach functions including HABs research, aquaculture, and K-12 programming in the Great Lakes region.
• New York Sea Grant: Direct peer Sea Grant program serving New York's Great Lakes and marine coasts. Operates with identical NOAA-funded federal-state partnership structure, providing directly comparable research, education, and outreach on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and the St. Lawrence River.
• Minnesota Sea Grant: Direct peer Sea Grant program at the University of Minnesota covering Lake Superior. Operates with the same NOAA funding model and overlapping tribal partnerships, education programs, and research on coastal resilience, fisheries, and water quality in the western Great Lakes.

Emerging players

• LimnoTech: Private environmental science and engineering consulting firm specializing in Great Lakes water quality, contaminant modeling, and aquatic ecosystem research. Comparable as a scientific service provider in PFAS, coastal processes, and water resource research, but operating commercially rather than as a public outreach program.
• Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC): Tribal intergovernmental organization representing 11 Ojibwe tribes in treaty-protected resource management. A direct partner of Wisconsin Sea Grant on PFAS research and spearfishing documentation, with overlapping focus on Great Lakes fisheries, contaminants, and tribal co-stewardship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BonnieWillison
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@uwiscseagrant
• Facebookfacebook.com/UWiscSeaGrant
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-wisconsin-sea-grant-water-resources-institutes
• Instagraminstagram.com/uwiscseagrant

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes