Notice2026-02784
Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education Notice of Opportunity To Apply for Designation
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Published
February 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentMaritime Administration
Abstract
The Maritime Administrator, after consultation with the United States Coast Guard, may designate a domestic maritime training or education entity as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE). MARAD's CoE Program focuses on entities other than Federal and State maritime academies that support the needs of the domestic maritime community. CoEs are key to building the maritime workforce and providing the necessary infrastructure for the United States to mobilize the required workforce in times of national need. Designations recognize the critical role these entities play in recruiting and training our Nation's maritime workforce and restoring America's maritime dominance. A CoE designation is valid for a period of five years. This notice solicits applications from eligible entities for the 2026 cycle of CoE designation. The notice also updates CoE Program policy to align with Executive Order (E.O.) 14151, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and announces that MARAD has terminated action on the 2024 application cycle, which was no longer in compliance with current Administration policy.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6723-6726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02784]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket Number MARAD-2018-0088]
Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education Notice of Opportunity To Apply for Designation
AGENCY: Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Maritime Administrator, after consultation with the United
States Coast Guard, may designate a domestic maritime training or
education entity as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime
Workforce Training and Education (CoE). MARAD's CoE Program focuses on
entities other than Federal and State maritime academies that support
the needs of the domestic maritime community. CoEs are key to building
the maritime workforce and providing the necessary infrastructure for
the United States to mobilize the required workforce in times of
national need. Designations recognize the critical role these entities
play in recruiting and training our Nation's maritime workforce and
restoring America's maritime dominance. A CoE designation is valid for
a period of five years. This notice solicits applications from eligible
entities for the 2026 cycle of CoE designation. The notice also updates
CoE Program policy to align with Executive Order (E.O.) 14151, Ending
Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and
announces that MARAD has terminated action on the 2024 application
cycle, which was no longer in compliance with current Administration
policy.
DATES: Applications, including all supporting information and
documents, must be submitted by 8:00 p.m. E.T. on April 13, 2026.
ADDRESSES: An entity seeking designation as a CoE may submit
applications, including all supporting information and documents, by
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f6b599b3b2bba1a2b3b6929982d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="10537f55545d47445550747f643e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerard Wall, Centers of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) Program
Manager, via electronic mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ee898b9c8f9c8ac0998f8282ae8a819ac0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94f3f1e6f5e6f0bae3f5f8f8d4f0fbe0baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a> or call 202-366-
7273.
Application Webinar: MARAD will host a webinar to provide guidance
to prospective applicants on the content of this Federal Register
notice. Information about the webinar will be announced on <a href="https://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/maritime-centers-excellence">https://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/maritime-centers-excellence</a>. Attendance
at the webinar is entirely voluntary and not a requirement of the
application process.
Prior Federal Action
Multiple Federal Register notices were published between May 2018
and March 2020 seeking and responding to public comment on the proposed
CoE designation policy. On March 6, 2020, MARAD published its final CoE
designation policy in the Federal Register (85 FR 13231). Subsequently,
MARAD issued notices in the Federal Register and on the MARAD website
at <a href="https://www.maritime.dot.gov">https://www.maritime.dot.gov</a>, requesting applications from qualified
entities seeking designation as a CoE. MARAD designated 27 Centers of
Excellence on May 19, 2021. Those designations were valid for one year.
MARAD subsequently designated 32 CoEs on February 22, 2024. In
accordance with the FY 2023 NDAA, codified in 46 U.S.C. 51706,
designation periods changed from a duration of one year to five years.
On September 12, 2024, MARAD issued a notice in the Federal Register
announcing opportunity to apply for CoE designation. MARAD has
terminated action on the 2024 application cycle because the program
policy was no longer in compliance with current Administration policy.
Entities that applied during the 2024 cycle are encouraged to submit an
updated application.
How To Be Designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime
Workforce Training and Education
Introduction
The Maritime Administrator, after consultation with the United
States Coast Guard, may designate certain eligible and qualified
training entities as
[[Page 6724]]
CoEs. MARAD has developed the CoE Program to provide interested parties
with comprehensive guidance on how best to apply for CoE designation.
However, conformity with this CoE applicant guidance, except where
explicit in the statute, is voluntary. MARAD will review and consider
all applications it receives and may contact applicants with questions
to assist in reviewing their applications. A training entity is free to
decide whether it wishes to participate in the program and apply for a
CoE designation.
Applications should include information to demonstrate that the
applicant entity meets certain criteria, designation requirements, and
attributes consistent with 46 U.S.C. 51706. If you believe that your
entity qualifies for CoE designee status under an alternate
interpretation or by qualifications not otherwise clearly articulated
in the statute, your application should include a justification for any
such alternative, and it will be considered during review. Annual
program reviews, conducted throughout the 5-year period of designation,
are designed to assess whether CoE designees follow relevant Federal
requirements and continue to demonstrate a record of success in
providing maritime workforce training and education.
Key Terms
The following list of key terms are either directly taken from the
statute or were developed by MARAD, informed by comments received from
the public during the initial policy development and comment period.
The list is intended to assist applicants by providing context and
insight into the approval process.
1. ``Afloat career'' means a career as a merchant mariner
compensated for service aboard a vessel in the U.S. maritime industry.
2. ``Ashore career'' means a shore-based compensated occupation in
the U.S. maritime industry.
3. ``Covered training entity'' means an entity that
A. is in a State that borders on:
i. the Gulf of America;
ii. the Atlantic Ocean;
iii. the Long Island Sound;
iv. the Pacific Ocean;
v. the Great Lakes; or
vi. the Mississippi River System;
B. The prospective entity is:
i. a postsecondary educational institution (as such term is defined
in section 3(39) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) with an established maritime training
program as part of its curriculum;
ii. a postsecondary vocational institution (as such term is defined
in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1002(c))) with an established maritime training program as part of its
curriculum;
iii. a public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more
other structured experiential learning training programs for U.S.
workers in the U.S. maritime industry, including a program offered by a
labor organization or conducted in partnership with a nonprofit
organization or one or more employers in the U.S. maritime industry;
iv. an entity sponsoring an apprenticeship program registered with
the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training
Administration of the Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship
Agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship pursuant to the Act
of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship
Act;'' 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50); or
v. a maritime training center designated prior to the date of
enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2023 (FY 2023 NDAA);
C. has a demonstrated record of success in maritime workforce
training and education; and
D. has--
i. not been subject to a disciplinary or adverse administrative
action by Federal, State, or other regulatory bodies;
ii. no unresolved nonconformities from administrative audits by
regulatory bodies; and
iii. not been subject to any adverse criminal action by a Federal,
State, or local law enforcement authority.
5. ``Mississippi River System'' means the mostly riverine network
of the United States, which includes the Mississippi River and all
connecting waterways, natural tributaries, and distributaries. The
system includes the Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Red, Allegheny,
Tennessee, Wabash, and Atchafalaya rivers. Important connecting
waterways include the Illinois Waterway, the Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
4. ``Postsecondary educational institution'' means
A. an institution of higher education, as defined in 20 U.S.C.
1001, that provides not less than a two-year program of instruction
that is acceptable for credit toward a bachelor's degree;
B. a tribally controlled college or university; or
C. a nonprofit educational institution offering certificate or
other skilled training programs at the postsecondary level.
5. ``Postsecondary vocational institution'' means a postsecondary
vocational institution as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1002(c).
6. ``State'' means a State of the United States, the District of
Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the
United States.
7. ``Training program'' means a program that provides training
services, as described in section 134(c)(3)(D) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (Pub. L. 113-128; 29 U.S.C. 3174).
8. ``United States maritime industry'' (as such term is defined in
46 U.S.C. 51706(c)(6)) means the design, construction, repair,
operation, manning, and supply of vessels in all segments of the
maritime transportation system of the United States, including:
A. the domestic and foreign trade;
B. the coastal, offshore, and inland trade; or
C. non-commercial maritime activities, including:
i. recreational boating; and
ii. oceanographic and limnological research as described in 46
U.S.C. 2101(24).
9. ``Demonstrated record of success'' is interpreted by MARAD to
mean a measurable and consistent history of achieving positive outcomes
in key performance areas. For maritime training entities, this
includes:
A. evidence of sustained or increasing student enrollment over time
and a strong retention rate, indicating effective recruitment and
student satisfaction;
B. a track record of students completing their programs on time,
demonstrating the entity's ability to support student program
completion;
C. high percentages of graduates securing employment in maritime-
related fields, further education, or other relevant opportunities
within a reasonable time after graduation, reflecting the entity's
effectiveness in preparing students for career success; and
D. validation from relevant industry bodies, employers, or
accrediting agencies that supports the quality and impact of the
entity's programs.
Eligibility
Under the statute and MARAD policy, a covered training entity that
provides training and education for the domestic maritime workforce may
apply so long as it meets the following criteria:
1. The entity is in a State that borders on at least one of the
following bodies of water:
[[Page 6725]]
A. Gulf of America;
B. Atlantic Ocean;
C. Long Island Sound;
D. Pacific Ocean;
E. Great Lakes; or
F. Mississippi River System;
2. The entity is:
A. a postsecondary educational institution;
B. a postsecondary vocational institution;
C. a public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more
other structured experiential learning training programs for U.S.
workers in the U.S. maritime industry, including a program that is
offered by a labor organization or conducted in partnership with a
nonprofit organization or one or more employers in the U.S. maritime
industry;
D. an entity sponsoring an apprenticeship program registered with
the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training
Administration of the United States Department of Labor or a State
Apprenticeship Agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship
pursuant to the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the
``National Apprenticeship Act;'' 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C.
50);
E. a maritime training center designated prior to the date of
enactment of the FY 23 NDAA; or
F. a group of covered training entities that:
i. consists only of members that meet the eligibility criteria at
(1), (2), (3) and (4);
ii. names a member of such group as a lead entity. The lead entity
will serve as the primary point of contact with MARAD and will be
responsible for all duties, including administrative, legal, and
financial, as related to the CoE designation. For example, the lead
entity is responsible for submitting the CoE application, responding to
any inquiries from MARAD, and coordinating and executing any
cooperative agreements with MARAD; and
iii. has a legally binding agreement signed by all members. That
agreement must include the name of the group, which will receive the
CoE designation if one is granted, and list the lead entity and its
responsibilities consistent with (ii) of this section;
3. The entity has a demonstrated record of success in maritime
workforce training and education; and
4. The entity--
A. has not been subject to a disciplinary or adverse administrative
action by Federal, State, or other regulatory bodies;
B. has no unresolved nonconformities from administrative audits by
regulatory bodies; and
C. has not been subject to any adverse criminal action by a
Federal, State, or local law enforcement authority.
Implementation and Administration
MARAD will evaluate the applicant's supporting documentation and
either approve or disapprove the request for designation. During the
evaluation of the application and the supporting documentation, MARAD
may request clarifications or additional information from the
applicant. Upon approval, the Maritime Administrator or his designee
will issue a decision. MARAD will thereafter publish the CoE's name and
contact information on its website at <a href="https://www.maritime.dot.gov">https://www.maritime.dot.gov</a>.
To assist MARAD in its review of the application and to ensure that
it is identified as complete, provide only concise and relevant
information and supporting documentation that demonstrate qualification
and compliance with the statutory designation criteria. MARAD
encourages applicants to ensure that each responsive section and each
page of any document or enclosure in their application clearly
references the submission requirement and section(s) as identified in
Information to Include in Application.
Example 1. ``Mar Ex'' is eligible for the CoE program as a
postsecondary educational institution, 4(a). Please find enclosed our
Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Status, and State
authorization validation document, (5)(a-c).
Example 2. ``Mar Ex'' is enclosing the following supporting
documents to demonstrate that our entity is accredited: U.S. Department
of Education Accrediting Agency XYZ accreditation (5)(e), and our
Afloat Track program and courses are approved by the United States
Coast Guard (5)(h).
Information To Include in Application
1. Letter applying for CoE designation from the Chief Executive of
the applicant entity.
2. Applicant's contact information:
A. Legal name of applicant entity and address.
B. Chief Executive's name, position title, address, phone number(s)
and email.
C. Point(s) of contact (POC) name(s), position title(s), phone
number(s), email(s).
3. Indicate the body of water that borders the entity's State:
A. Gulf of America;
B. Atlantic Ocean;
C. Long Island Sound;
D. Pacific Ocean;
E. Great Lakes; or
F. Mississippi River System.
4. Indicate the category under which the applicant entity is
claiming eligibility for the CoE program:
A. Postsecondary educational institution;
B. Postsecondary vocational institution;
C. Public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more other
structured experiential learning training programs for U.S. workers in
the U.S. maritime industry, including a program that is offered by a
labor organization or conducted in partnership with a nonprofit
organization or one or more employers in the U.S. maritime industry;
D. An entity sponsoring an apprenticeship program registered with
the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training
Administration of the United States Department of Labor or a State
Apprenticeship Agency;
E. A maritime training center designated prior to the date of
enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA; or
F. A group of covered training entities.
5. Submit the following supporting information and documents:
A. Charter, Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of
Incorporation, or equivalent.
B. Certificate of Status (also known as Certificate of Existence or
Certificate of Good Standing), a document issued by a State official
(usually the Secretary of State), if applicable.
C. State authorization validation documents, if applicable.
D. Public or non-profit status certification, if applicable.
E. Accreditation approval letter(s) from an accrediting
agency(ies).
F. Approval letter from a State Apprenticeship Agency in accordance
with 29 CFR part 29, if applicable.
G. Approval letter from the State's Department of Education or
equivalent State agency, if applicable.
H. Approval letter from the United States Coast Guard, if
applicable.
I. ISO 9001 or other quality management certification, if
applicable.
J. Data and statistics to demonstrate record of success in maritime
workforce training and education, as well as entity effectiveness. This
should include, but not be limited to, recruitment data; past/current
enrollment (trends); attrition rates; student program completion data;
post-program job and placement statistics (to the extent available);
and
[[Page 6726]]
program effectiveness feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and
other stakeholders.
K. A brief assessment of the entity's estimated ability to increase
student or trainee throughput to meet demand in a time of national need
such as war, armed conflict, or national emergency.
6. Indicate the total number of afloat career preparation tracks,
the total number of ashore career preparation tracks, or both, that the
entity offers in the U.S. maritime industry and submit the following
supporting information:
A. A program summary;
B. A description of applicable courses offered (only relevant
maritime-related program-specific pages from the catalogue);
C. If applicable, letters of authorization or endorsement of the
course or program or courses from an applicable professional society or
industry body (including, but not limited to Welding, Electrician,
Electronics, Maritime Construction, Maritime Logistics, Maritime
Systems, etc.) to issue industry accepted certifications that reflect a
professionally recognized level of educational or technical skill
achievement; and
D. Any other relevant supporting documentation.
7. Applicant entities offering afloat career tracks, ashore career
tracks, or both should demonstrate that they have satisfied
accreditation requirements, as set forth below:
A. Postsecondary educational institutions and postsecondary
vocational institutions:
i. are accredited by a regional accreditation agency or a
nationally recognized agency on the list of accrediting agencies
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; and
ii. if applicable, the mariner training program and mariner
training courses offered by the entity have United States Coast Guard
approval.
B. A public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more
other structured experiential learning training programs for U.S.
workers in the U.S. maritime industry, including a program offered by a
labor organization or conducted in partnership with a nonprofit
organization or one or more employers in the U.S. maritime industry:
i. has United States Coast Guard approval of the mariner training
program and mariner training courses offered by the entity, if
applicable; or
ii. holds current accreditation of the maritime training program
offered by the entity from one or more of the following:
a. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency;
b. employers in the U.S. maritime industry; or
c. other appropriate external review body, which is specifically
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and
is acceptable to MARAD.
C. An entity sponsoring a registered apprenticeship program holds
current accreditation from a State Apprenticeship Agency in accordance
with 29 CFR part 29.
D. A maritime training center designated prior to the date of
enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA must hold current accreditation:
i. of the entity, from a regional accreditation agency or a
nationally recognized agency on the list of accrediting agencies
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; or
ii. of the maritime training program offered by the entity from
either:
a. the State Apprenticeship Agency in accordance with 29 CFR part
29;
b. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency;
c. the United States Coast Guard; or
d. other appropriate external review body, which is specifically
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and
is acceptable to MARAD.
E. Each member of a group must hold current accreditation according
to each member's corresponding eligibility category and the
accreditation requirements outlined above in 7a-d.
8. All applicant entities should submit a brief narrative statement
highlighting efforts to accomplish the following:
A. Support the workforce needs of the local, State, or regional
economy;
B. Build the science, technology, engineering, and math
competencies of local and future workforce to meet emerging local,
regional, and national economic interests;
C. Offer a broad-based curriculum and stackable credentials, where
applicable;
D. Engage or collaborate with the maritime industry, including, but
not limited to, employers, associations, and other industry
organizations or partners;
E. Engage or collaborate with K-12 programs to promote interest in
maritime careers;
F. Engage or collaborate with maritime academies and other entities
or organizations for advanced proficiency and higher education;
G. Conduct other significant domestic maritime workforce
development related activities; and
H. If applicable, engage or collaborate with employer-led maritime
training practices and programs through Sector Partnerships as
authorized in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Section
3(26).
9. All applicant entities may provide any relevant endorsements,
awards, recognition, and significant accomplishments in support of
their application.
Note: As part of designation, CoE designees are geolocated on
MARAD's CoE Interactive Map located on the MARAD website. In
addition to identifying geographic location, this map also provides
a link to the landing page for each entity and a brief narrative
statement, a designee overview, and information about each entity's
maritime program. Applicants should note that the information they
submit for application sections 8a-h serves dual purposes--
application support and content for a one-page designee overview
that highlights your entity's achievements and aspirations.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements in the final CoE
designation policy have been approved under information collection
number 2133-0549 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320.5(b)(2)(i), and notwithstanding any other provision of
law, persons are not required to provide information to the Government
unless the information collection displays a current and valid OMB
control number. This application process is operating under the
following current and valid OMB control number: 2133-0549.
(Authority: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2023, Pub. L. 117-263 (December 23, 2022), 46 U.S.C. 51706, the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended,
49 CFR 1.93.)
By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-02784 Filed 2-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
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