The NOAA Marine Debris Program, authorized in the Marine Debris Act, codified at 33 U.S.C. § 1951 et seq., supports the development and implementation of locally-driven, marine debris assessment, removal and prevention projects that benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and marine and Great Lake resources. Projects awarded through this grant competition will actively engage and educate a target audience (such as students, teachers, recreational fisher communities, state or local governments, industries, elected officials, etc.) in hands-on programs designed to raise awareness, reduce barriers to marine debris prevention (e.g., lack of access to waste receptacles or alternatives to single-use items), and encourage and support changes in behaviors to ensure long-term prevention of marine debris. Projects awarded through this competition may be implemented throughout all United States coastal, marine, and Great Lakes areas; the coastal and marine areas of United States territories and Freely Associated States, or; within coastal areas of Mexico or Canada as long as benefits to United States resources, navigation, or economy can be clearly demonstrated.
This solicitation is focused on efforts to prevent marine debris from entering the environment through targeted education and outreach efforts, as well as activities that aim to change behaviors related to common marine debris issues. It is not intended for large-scale debris removal projects or scientific research.
Deadline for Required Letter of Intent: Oct. 29, 2021
As outlined in the Marine Debris Act, eligible applicants for projects taking place in the United States, territories, and Freely Associated States (or their adjacent waterways), are state, local, tribal, and territory governments whose activities affect research or regulation of marine debris. Equally eligible are any institution of higher education, nonprofit organization, or commercial (for-profit) organization with expertise in a field related to marine debris. Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Interested federal agencies may collaborate with eligible applicants but may not receive funds through this competition. Foreign public entities (see 2 CFR 200.1) from outside of the Freely Associated States are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant but can be involved as project partners.
Eligible applicants for projects taking place in Mexico or Canada are limited to any institution of higher education, nonprofit organization or commercial (for-profit) organization with expertise in a field related to marine debris. This includes community based organizations, business associations, and non-public foreign organizations. Foreign public entities (see 2 CFR 200.1), from Canada or Mexico are not eligible to receive awards or subawards under the Marine Debris Act and will not be considered. Interested governmental agencies in Canada or Mexico may collaborate with eligible applicants but may not receive funds through this competition.
NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of veterans, minority-serving institutions, and entities that work in underserved and underrepresented areas. The NOAA MDP encourages applicants of all backgrounds, circumstances, perspectives and ways of thinking to apply.
Funding of up to $5,000,000 is expected to be available for this grant solicitation. The actual funding amount available is contingent upon the availability of FY2022 appropriations. The NOAA MDP does not plan to fund proposals for prevention activities at less than $50,000 or more than $400,000 under this solicitation.
