The highest priority for this funding opportunity is to support impactful, large marine debris removal projects. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, “large debris” is defined as abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), derelict fishing gear (DFG), and other debris that is unable to be easily collected by hand. Priority will be placed on proposals that clearly demonstrate the beneficial impacts the removal project will have on NOAA trust resources, and the surrounding coastal environment or community. Applicants may conduct removal activities on their own, collaborate with other organizations, pass-through funding to subawardees, or administer a competitive funding opportunity to allow for funding of smaller projects and lower the administrative burden on applicant organizations. Subawardees must be capable of planning and executing removal operations.
NOAA seeks to fund a suite of projects that together address large marine debris across the country. When selecting proposals for this competition, NOAA will consider the proposals in the context of already-funded projects, including projects that received funding through previous Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Marine Debris Removal Grants, to avoid duplication of removal efforts in similar locations.
NOAA will prioritize applications that demonstrate clear removal and disposal outcomes. Removals should be conducted with a focus on alternative disposal methods when possible, which means applicants should use disposal methods that are the most environmentally friendly given the location, availability, and resources of the specific removal effort. Examples of alternative disposal may include: recycling, reuse, waste-to-energy, or other innovative disposal methods.
Removal projects that include strategies to prevent the reaccumulation of marine debris in the future may be prioritized. This might include: the development or expansion of state-, regionally-, or nationally-focused marine debris prevention programs, vessel or fishing gear turn-in opportunities, vessel or fishing gear recycling programs, targeted programs working with boaters or fishermen, etc. Prevention activities should aim to reduce the recurrence of the type of debris removed.
Funding is primarily aimed at supporting new or impactful removal efforts, or programs that require funding to scale-up or expand their existing removal efforts to achieve broader and more impactful outcomes. Proposals that scale-up projects that were funded through the previous Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Marine Debris Removal competition are allowed, but the proposals must clearly indicate how additional funding will lead to outcomes above and beyond what was considered through the previous grant application.
Estimated Total Program Funding:
