AMPP Launches Research Grant Program to Advance Maritime Decarbonization

AMPP seeks proposals for a $50,000 research project evaluating technical knowledge and gaps related to ammonia as a marine fuel.

HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, is announcing its first research grant program of this type and requesting proposals to evaluate published knowledge and expertise relevant to the use of ammonia as a fuel for marine applications. The $50,000 initiative will fund an eight-month project to identify critical knowledge gaps and recommend priorities for future research, standards development, technology implementation and technical guidance.

As the maritime industry pursues lower-carbon technologies to reduce emissions, ammonia is emerging as one of the most promising alternative marine fuels. While decades of research exist on ammonia in industrial and chemical applications, significant questions remain about its use to power marine ships, including materials performance, safety, standards and long-term asset integrity. As governments, shipowners and engine manufacturers continue evaluating alternative fuels to meet decarbonization goals, the need for reliable technical guidance is growing.

The selected research team will conduct a comprehensive review of published literature, industry standards, specifications, regulations and safety requirements related to ammonia as a marine fuel. The project will culminate in a publicly available report that synthesizes current knowledge, identifies remaining gaps, and outlines opportunities for future technical advancement.

The new program builds on AMPP’s long history of supporting corrosion and materials protection research. For decades, AMPP has advanced technical innovation through the publication of Corrosion journal, the Research in Progress Symposium, Research Topical Symposiums, Student Poster Sessions, and the Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant, which has supported emerging researchers for more than 60 years. The research grant program expands those efforts by funding targeted projects that rapidly develop knowledge in emerging technical areas, share findings with the global community, and equip industry with the technical resources needed to address emerging materials performance challenges before they become widespread operational risks.

“Emerging technologies often advance faster than the technical guidance needed to support their safe and reliable implementation,” said Florent Bocher, Ph.D., Director of Research and Program Innovation at AMPP. “Our goal is to identify and address emerging scientific, technical, and technological challenges that will shape the future of the corrosion and coating community. By bringing together existing knowledge, identifying gaps, and sharing those findings with the global community, AMPP can help guide future research, standards development and technology adoption.”

The findings will help inform future research priorities, standards development and technical guidance while providing the materials protection community with practical resources to support the safe adoption of emerging technologies.

AMPP is accepting proposals from qualified researchers, universities, research organizations and industry teams through 5 p.m. EDT on Sept. 25, 2026.
Additional information, including the full Request for Proposals, project requirements, eligibility criteria and submission instructions, is available at https://ampp.org/technical-research/ammonia-research.

Jennifer Kramer
AMPP: Association for Materials Protection and Performance
+1 330-714-8302
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