The NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP), authorized in the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1951-1958), provides funding to support eligible organizations to conduct research directly related to marine debris through field, laboratory, and modeling experiments. NOAA MDP invites applications for research that investigates and identifies the critical input pathways for marine debris introduction into the coastal zone (shoreline or nearshore), including evaluation of appropriate simultaneous pathways of riverine transport downstream, surface runoff, stormwater discharge, and wind-driven transport, and degradation and fragmentation of debris during transport. Projects should be original, hypothesis-driven projects that have not previously been addressed to scientific standards. Successful proposals through this solicitation will be funded through cooperative agreements. Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be available for Marine Debris Research grants in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Typical awards will range from $150,000 - $300,000. Funding for this grant competition comes through the NOAA Marine Debris Program as annual or supplemental appropriations to the Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service.
Deadlines:
This competition calls for research that will advance our understanding of the fate and transport pathways of marine debris and the variable processes of degradation and fragmentation that may occur during transport. Projects that consider both aspects of this priority (see A & B below), will receive higher consideration during proposal evaluation.
A. PATHWAYS, FATE, AND TRANSPORT OF MARINE DEBRIS FROM UPSTREAM TO MARINE AND FRESHWATER COASTAL ZONES
B. FRAGMENTATION AND DEGRADATION
As outlined in the Marine Debris Act, eligible applicants are state, local, tribal, and territory governments whose activities affect research or regulation of marine debris and 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.
All projects must take place within the United States or territories or their adjacent waterways. Foreign organizations and foreign public entities are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant but can be involved as project partners.
Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be available for this grant solicitation. The actual funding amount available is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations. The NOAA MDP does not plan to fund proposals with a total project budget of less than $75,000 or more than $350,000 under this solicitation. Typical project awards range from $150,000 to $300,000.
