The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) aims to enhance the understanding, sustainable use, and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources in Hawai‘i and the Pacific through research, extension, education, and communication efforts. It is dedicated to improving the environmental health of coastlines and the broader community's understanding and management of coastal resources.
The 2023 University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) Pacific Islands Indigenous Science Competition is designed to prioritize and amplify Indigenous methodologies, protocols, and values within research contexts, seeking to integrate these aspects into Western scientific frameworks more robustly. This initiative aims to shift the focus towards centering Indigenous approaches in scientific inquiry, offering financial support for projects that merge Indigenous knowledge with contemporary science. The grant provides funding for 2 to 4 projects, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 each, over a one-year term. The guiding principles of this grant program focus on promoting Indigenous science through Resource Stewardship, Community Empowerment, and Strengthening Cultural Practices, particularly within Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Projects are encouraged to address concerns that span both cultural and ecological dimensions and align with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant’s focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Resilient Communities and Economies, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development, and Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.