The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, may designate certain eligible and qualified training entities as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE). Centers of Excellence designations serve to assist the maritime industry in obtaining and maintaining the highest quality workforce.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) developed the CoE Program to support maritime workforce training and education at designated CoEs. CoEs play a vital role in supporting the maritime industry by providing workforce development, research, collaboration, promotion, and policy support. Through their individual and comprehensive efforts, these centers contribute to the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of the maritime sector in the United States.

MARAD developed a policy to provide interested parties with comprehensive agency guidance on how best to apply for CoE designation. During application acceptance periods, MARAD will review and consider all applications it receives and may contact applicants with questions to assist in reviewing their applications. The CoE Program is a voluntary program and, therefore, any eligible and qualified training entity is free to decide whether it wishes to participate in the program and apply for a CoE designation. 

The inaugural CoE designees were announced on May 19, 2021. The 2024 designees were announced on February 22, 2024. A CoE designation is valid for 5 years.

You can discover more detailed information on each of the current CoE designees via our CoE Interactive Map.

Federal Resources

If you are interested in embarking on a career in maritime there are a number of federal resources, including financial assistance, that are available to help guide and fund your training:

- U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Employment Services: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/employment-services 

- Workforce Pell Grant Program (starting July 2026), U.S. Dept. Education Grants and Programs: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs

- U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VA Education and Training Benefits: https://www.va.gov/education/ 

Latest Updates

(02/12/2026) The current application period for Center of Excellence (CoE) for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education designation is now open. Information about the application opportunity is posted in the Federal Register. An application walk through webinar will be held on February 19, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Zoom meeting link here.

Previous Actions

Federal Register Notices related to the Centers of Excellence Program: 

• CoE- Opportunity to Apply for Designation: Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education - 89 FR 74366 (September 12, 2024)
• CoE- Designation Policy Update and Notice of Opportunity to Apply for Designation for 2023 - 88 FR 46829 (July 20, 2023)
• CoE- Notice of Opportunity to Apply for Maritime Training and Education Designation - 87 FR 43103 (July 19, 2022)
• CoE - Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection-Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) Annual Application for Designation - 86 FR 18115 (April 7, 2021)
• CoE - Notice of Opportunity to Apply for Training and Education Designation - 85 FR 67599 (October 23, 2020)
• CoE - Final policy and information collection requests for comments - 85 FR 13231 (March 6, 2020)
• CoE - Notice and request for comments - 84 FR 34994 (July 19, 2019)
• CoE - Notice and request for comments - 83 FR 25109 (May 31, 2018)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gerard Wall, Centers of Excellence Program Manager, Maritime Administration, at Gerard.Wall@dot.gov or 202-366-7273.