The U.S. Maritime Administration (Marad) has opened applications for its Centers of Excellence (CoE) for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, continuing a federal initiative aimed at strengthening the nation’s maritime workforce pipeline.
The announcement invites qualified institutions to apply for a five-year CoE designation. The program supports workforce development, research, collaboration, promotion and policy engagement across the U.S. maritime sector.
“Our Centers of Excellence provide the critical infrastructure to train the next generation of maritime workers and enhance our shipbuilding capabilities,” said Marad Administrator Stephen M. Carmel in a statement. “This designation empowers our partners to recruit top talent and restore America’s maritime dominance.”
The CoE network currently includes 32 institutions located in 44 cities across 17 states. Participating organizations partner with local colleges, trade schools and training providers to prepare mariners and shoreside professionals for careers ranging from vessel operations and shipbuilding to logistics and port management.
According to Marad, the designation is intended to strengthen industry competitiveness by aligning workforce training programs with national maritime priorities. Institutions selected as Centers of Excellence serve as regional hubs for maritime education and training, helping to address labor shortages and support industrial base growth.
Applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by 8 p.m. EST on April 13, 2026.
