On October 1, 2025, the Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA) opened the third round of match funding for the Mariculture Incentive Grant Program (MIGP). This program provides provide dollar for dollar matching grant funds to mariculture farmers, processors, nurseries, and hatchery operations who are engaged in developing or expanding mariculture in Alaska.

AMC’s Revolving Loan Fund Complements AMA’s MIGP

MIGP applicants must satisfy a 1-to-1, dollar-for-dollar match requirement through cash or loans, including loans secured through AMC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).

The RLF addresses lending barriers within the mariculture industry by offering collateral support to lending institutions for borrowers who do not qualify for traditional loans and by leveraging capital to support rural and distressed communities. Currently, Spruce Root is an approved lending institution, with additional lending partners expected to join as agreements are finalized.

For more information about the RLF or to apply for a loan, please contact:

MIGP Requirements

MIGP applicants must have a permitted mariculture farm, hatchery, nursery, processing facility, or other mariculture-related business located in Alaska. Nonprofits are not eligible to apply, except for nonprofit shellfish and/or aquatic plant hatcheries.

Applications will be accepted through December 15, 2025, and projects receiving funding will be notified in February 2026. The program is funded by the State of Alaska.

For information about the MIGP timeline, eligibility, and match requirements, please visit AMA’s website.

MIGP History

In 2022, Governor Dunleavy worked with Alaska Legislature to secure $5 million for a new mariculture matching grant program to help develop the industry. The grant was made to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) for the Alaska Mariculture Alliance, which created the MIGP to administer and distribute funding to mariculture businesses throughout Alaska. In October 2023 and October 2024, AMA began the first and second rounds of MIGP funding.

Background

Southeast Conference (SEC) is the federally designated Economic Development District (EDD) for Southeast Alaska, as well as the state designated Alaska Regional Development Organization. SEC’s mission is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, sustainable communities, and a healthy environment in Southeast Alaska.

In September 2022, Southeast Conference was awarded a $49 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant to catalyze a viable and sustainable mariculture industry in Alaska, supporting the production of shellfish and seaweed, for the long-term benefit of the state’s economy, environment, and communities.

SEC leads the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) grant coalition, which includes members of Alaska’s mariculture industry, tribal organizations, regulatory agencies, university system, regional EDDs, trade organizations, and others. A Governance Body, composed of AMC coalition leaders and Tribal executives from each of the project regions, guides the grant’s work and equity metrics.

The AMC has complementary grant components designed to break down barriers and develop Alaska’s mariculture industry.  The Overarching Narrative explains how the grant components work together to grow the industry in an equitable and responsible manner. The full project period for the AMC BBBRC project is October 1, 2022 to September 30th, 2026.