Offshore Wind Science and Research

MassCEC / Offshore Energy / Funding / Offshore Wind Science and Research

The Challenge: Advance Offshore Wind Science and Research

Massachusetts remains committed to offshore wind as a key energy source to provide critically needed energy, spur economic development, and create good-paying jobs. MassCEC recognizes that offshore wind development occurs in a dynamic ocean environment that supports existing marine industries of economic and cultural importance, is inhabited by critically endangered wildlife, and is itself undergoing climate-induced changes. These variables, among others, present a wide range of technical, logistical, and analytical research opportunities related to the offshore wind industry, particularly now that several projects have or soon will reach commercial operation. Focused science and research activities, and the organizational capacity to conduct that science and research, are needed in the near- and long-term to inform, optimize, and catalyze industry growth.

About the Offshore Wind Science & Research Request for Proposals (RFP)

MassCEC’s Offshore Wind Science, Research, and Analysis (SRA) program supports applied research that advances the responsible development and operation of offshore wind in southern New England and the Gulf of Maine. The program generates actionable knowledge for policymakers, industry, and communities on topics such as offshore wind planning and siting, wildlife and fishery interactions, marine operations, transmission and grid integration, and industry development. It also strengthens the regional research ecosystem by supporting universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and industry collaborators conducting offshore wind science and applied research.

The 2026 RFP will fund up to $2.5 million for projects aligned with priority research areas identified by MassCEC. While a broad array of research projects will be eligible to apply, this round of funding has also specified topic areas of interest within each of the following categories:

Fisheries: Understanding Effects in Southern New England Lease Areas
Wildlife and Habitat
Regional Transmission Planning
Gulf of Maine Regional Monitoring
Communicating Existing Science and Research

Who's Eligible

Applicants may be universities, research institutions, private companies (e.g., consultancies), nonprofit organizations, federally recognized and state-acknowledged Tribes, industry partners, or interdisciplinary teams.

Applicants must have a registered business presence in the United States, and preference will be given to applications in which the lead Applicant and/or partnering organizations are based in Massachusetts.

For full Program details, please refer to the Offshore Wind Science, Research, & Analysis RFP.

Open

Award Potential

Up to $500,000

Application Deadline

April 28. 2026

Apply

Questions? Contact

Funding Schedule

Process Step	Timing
Release of RFP	March 18, 2026
Open Question & Answer Period (submit via email to offshorewind@masscec.com)	March 25, 2026
Close Question & Answer Period	April 14, 2026
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website (answers posted on a rolling basis once Q&A period opens)	March 25-April 21, 2026
Public webinar	April 1, 2026
Proposals Due	April 28, 2026
Notification of Award	June 2026

All dates subject to change at MassCEC's discretion.

Apply

Application Process

Applicants must use and submit the pre-formatted Application Form (Attachment B). Please submit a completed copy of the Application Form and the required attachments (detailed on page 1 of Attachment B) to offshorewind@masscec.com with the subject line "2026 SRA Application."

Application Materials

Science, Research, and Analysis RFP (2026)

Attachment A: Signature Acceptance Form

Attachment B: Application Form

Attachment C: Grant Agreement Template

Attachment D: Service Agreement Template

Attachment E: DMSP Instructions

Webinar

On April 1, MassCEC held an informational webinar for the 2026 Offshore Wind Science, Research, and Analysis grant funding opportunity. The webinar described the RFP Objectives and Topic Areas, as well as required application materials and selection criteria.

Offshore Energy SRA Webinar Slides

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: April 3, 2026

New questions will be accepted from March 25 through April 14. Answers will be posted on this web page periodically throughout the solicitation window.

Please submit all questions in writing to Zach Jylkka, MassCEC’s Offshore Wind Senior Program Manager at offshorewind@masscec.com. The words: “Question – 2026 SRA RFP” must appear in the email subject.

Is there a desired start date for the proposed projects?

MassCEC anticipates projects commencing in late summer/early fall 2026. Applicants should provide justification when requesting a specific start date, as necessary (e.g., time sensitive field seasons).

Does this RFP allow for subawards on project proposals (e.g., from one institution to another)?

Yes, grant agreements that result from successful applications to this RFP allow for subawards/subcontracts.

What are MassCEC's expectations for a subcontractor's cost share? Should the cost sharing be 10% cash or in-kind across both institutions in total, or 10% per institution budget?

MassCEC's cost share preferences and eligibility vary depending on whether the lead applicant is a private or public/non-profit entity (see Section X of the RFP, p. 14-15). If a subcontractor is providing cost share (cash or in-kind), it should be calculated in total across all institutions.

Please see the language in the template Grant Agreement (Attachment C), specifically, 7(d). There is room for flexibility (see statement "this section may be updated based on program needs"), so we recommend providing justification for your cost share proposal if it does not align with the template language.

FAQs continues...

The RFP notes that MassCEC prefers an applicant's indirect cost (IDC) rate to be ≤15% of the budget. My institution typically uses a higher IDC rate. Can I use unrecovered IDC as cost share in the budget?

MassCEC will consider in-kind contributions toward cost share for public and non-profit institutions (see Section X of the RFP, p. 14-15). In those situations, we will accept unrecovered IDC from an institution using a lower rate as part of the cost share; however, we will want to see documentation of your institution's federally approved cost rates.

Please see the language in the template grant agreement (Attachment C), specifically, 7(d). There is room for flexibility (see statement "this section may be updated based on program needs"), so we recommend providing justification for your cost share proposal if it does not align with the template language.

Who can see my data management and sharing plan (DMSP) when using DMPtool.org?

To ensure the privacy of your DMSP using the template on DMPtool.org, only individuals or organizations with a direct role in the proposed project should be listed as collaborators (e.g., you should not list RWSC or ROSA staff). The DMSP template has been made publicly available for use by applicants, and using it does not imply an organizational partnership or collaboration with either RWSC or ROSA. Please see Attachment E for full instructions on using the DMSP template.

What do I need to redline for the template Grant Agreement (Attachment C) or Service Agreement (Attachment D)?

Applicants should redline contract terms known to be of potential concern (please keep in mind that MassCEC has limited ability to change the standard Agreement terms). Applicants do not need to complete the fill-in-the-blank fields or redline the Whereas clauses. If selected for funding, the Awardee and MassCEC will develop a final Agreement. You do not need to fill out the “Scope of Work/Services” section, because that information is captured in the Application Form (Attachment B).

MassCEC / Offshore Energy / Funding / Offshore Wind Science and Research