Doherty Professorship in Ocean Utilization
Forecasted
Doherty Professorship in Ocean Utilization supports MIT faculty exploring new marine research to address ocean use and coastal development challenges and connect knowledge with workable solutions.
Browse similar grants
Funder: MIT Sea Grant College Program
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: $75,000 per year for two years ($150,000 total)
Summary: Seed research support for non-tenured MIT faculty exploring new marine-related subjects in ocean utilization and coastal development.
Key Information: Department-head nomination is required, and recipients cannot concurrently hold another MIT-funded chair.
Description
The Doherty Professorship in Ocean Utilization provides research support and professional development opportunities for selected non-tenured MIT faculty. Administered by the MIT Sea Grant College Program and established through a grant from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, it supports new and significant marine-related subjects. The program gives faculty room to experiment with new ideas or branch into unfamiliar research areas, helping early concepts develop into established marine research programs.
The professorship emphasizes important problems in ocean utilization and coastal zone development, the potential applicability of research results, and the professional benefit to recipients. Research may address social, political, environmental, economic, or technical aspects of marine use and management. Its broader goal is to connect factual knowledge with workable solutions compatible with societal needs.
