Marine debris - National Sea Grant College Program

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law summary: “Shall be for marine debris prevention and removal through the National Sea Grant College Program (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.).”

Marine debris is a pervasive problem that the National Sea Grant College Program is uniquely suited to help solve.  Sea Grant's 34 institutional program members focus on stakeholder-designed research-to-application initiatives and educating and connecting stakeholders within academia, government, the NGO community, industry, and the public. Funding will be provided within the Sea Grant network and will complement broader NOAA efforts, particularly the National Ocean Service’s Marine Debris Program, focused on active removal, cleanup, mitigation, and prevention of marine debris. Each Sea Grant program will determine and prioritize local needs and research-driven solutions that best serve historically underserved communities as defined by Executive Order 13985 (Section 2(b)).

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also provides funding to the NOAA Marine Debris Program for marine debris assessment, prevention, mitigation, and removal over the same time period and close coordination will be a priority.

 $50M over 5 years

• NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies Grants  - NOAA announces $28 million available across two funding opportunities to tackle marine debris
• Marine Debris Challenge Competition/Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions offsite link - NOAA Sea Grant announces $27M to further community-engaged marine debris removal and prevention