Funding

Sea Grant anticipates approximately $16,000,000 in FY 2024 and 2025 federal funds will be available to support innovative, transformational research to application projects that will address the prevention and/or removal of marine debris. Proposals are sought that will build upon and extend existing knowledge and efforts related to marine debris; support broad, non-proprietary, and innovative research to address critical gaps with respect to marine debris; and make that information available to communities and stakeholders.

Approximately 5-12 projects of up to three years duration may be funded. Matching funds will not be required for this competition.

This opportunity is open to any person or group within the United States or its territories, as well as tribal nations within those geographies. Applicants must submit proposals in partnership with a relevant Sea Grant program. Please note that it is not a requirement that investigators, including the PI, are part of a Sea Grant program.

Letters of intent are required in order to be eligible to submit a full proposal. Letters of intent or applications that do not come through a Sea Grant program will be rejected without review.

Please carefully review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific instructions on how to apply for the competition via grants.gov.

Letters of intent must be submitted to NSGO by January 31, 2024.
Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by March 27, 2024.

An informational webinar about the funding opportunity will be held on October 3, 2023 at 4:00 pm  ET. Register in advance here. 

If you have questions or need further assistance in identifying a Sea Grant Program to partner with, please contact oar.sg.marine-debris@noaa.gov and specify that your question is related to the Marine Debris Challenge Competition funding opportunity in the subject line.

Questions and Answers on Sea Grant’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Marine Debris Funding Opportunities (PDF)

This is one of two Sea Grant federal funding opportunities in support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address the prevention and removal of marine debris. The Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions opportunity will support the creation of coalitions and partnerships to address marine debris prevention and removal. Please contact your local Sea Grant Program if you are interested in partnering on this opportunity.