The New York Sea Grant Program was formally launched on October 27, 1971 at a ceremony in Governor Nelson Rockefeller's office in New York City.

The first year of funding was to support research, advisory services (extension), education, and program development. 

State University of New York Chancellor Ernest L. Boyer (pictured, at the podium) accepted the award on behalf of the consortium of SUNY and Cornell University. Accepting the award, the Chancellor stated, "We are going to move forward in this critical area dealing with happiness and survival itself" 

We invite you to join with NYSG as we embark on a year of reflection and celebration as we look towards the future of our coasts as we continue to focus on "happiness and survival itself".

Please share "What New York Sea Grant means to you?" via our form.

— Rebecca Shuford, Director (3 years); Katherine Bunting-Howarth, Associate Director (10 years); David White, 50th Anniversary Committee Chair (37 years) = 50 combined years of “Bringing Science to the Shore”