Grants for Ocean Innovation Clusters

The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 31. Grants for Ocean Innovation Clusters (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, may award grants, on a competitive basis, to Ocean Innovation Clusters for the purposes described in subsection (b). (b) Purposes The Secretary may award grants under subsection (a) for the operation and administration of one or more Ocean Innovation Clusters under the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025, with the goal that Ocean Innovation Clusters will become membership-based, self-sustaining entities. (c) Input In awarding a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for input from the Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. (d) Term of grants (1) In general The term of a grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be 2 years. (2) Renewal The Secretary may renew a grant awarded under subsection (a) for additional periods of such duration as the Secretary determines to be appropriate and necessary for the Ocean Innovation Cluster that received the grant to provide regional economic benefits. (e) Limitations on grant amounts A grant awarded under subsection (a) may not exceed $10,000,000. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to award grants under subsection (a) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Director of Sea Grant The term Director of Sea Grant means the Director of the National Sea Grant College Program appointed under section 204(d)(1) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)(1)). (2) Ocean Innovation Cluster The term Ocean Innovation Cluster has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025..