NOAA to provide $54 million in new funding to address marine debris

Today, NOAA and the Commerce Department announced the availability of up to $54 million across two funding opportunities to address marine debris throughout the coastal and Great Lakes states, territories and Freely Associated States. These funding opportunities allow NOAA to support impactful, large-scale marine debris removal projects, as well as the installation, monitoring and maintenance of proven marine debris interception technologies. 

The opportunities are a part of NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative is focused on creating climate solutions by storing carbon; building resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restoring coastal habitats; building the capacity of underserved communities; and supporting community-driven restoration.

“Marine debris threatens the health, productivity and overall economic viability of coastal communities throughout the nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These new funding opportunities, made possible thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, will strengthen our coastal infrastructure, keep debris from entering our waterways, and help protect our public health and marine ecosystems.”

“Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is creating opportunities for the coordinated removal of marine debris at an unprecedented scale, including the removal of legacy debris that has impacted the marine environment for decades,” said NOAA Marine Debris Program Director Nancy Wallace. “We are helping coastal communities build the future they want to see by investing in high-impact projects that increase resilience, restore habitat and prevent debris reaccumulation in the environment.”

The two funding opportunities include:

• Marine Debris Removal, which prioritizes large-scale removal projects that focus on marine debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear and other large debris. Letters of Intent are required and are due on September 27, 2024.
• Marine Debris Interception Technologies, which prioritizes the installation, monitoring and maintenance of proven interception technologies that capture marine debris at or close to known debris sources or pathways. Letters of Intent are required and are due on October 09, 2024. 

The funding application process

Each funding opportunity will be reviewed separately due to different application requirements. Applicants and awardees are encouraged to support the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility when writing proposals and performing work. NOAA will select projects through a rigorous and competitive merit review process. 

For more information on these marine debris grant opportunities, please visit the Removal opportunity and the Interception Technologies opportunity on Grants.gov and the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s website.

NOAA has multiple funding opportunities focusing on marine debris priorities. Please visit the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law website to learn about current and upcoming funding opportunities.

Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources.