Two people cleaning up marine debris from a rocky shore.

Funding Opportunities

The NOAA Marine Debris Program offers several nationwide, competitive funding opportunities for marine debris projects. To be alerted when a new Notice of Funding Opportunity is published, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Open Funding Opportunities

Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program

A special funding opportunity administered by BoatUS Foundation with funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

 

The BoatUS Foundation is seeking applications for up to $7.5 million in grants to remove abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) across coastal and marine areas of the United States. Projects may range from $50,000 to $1 million and funding will be administered by BoatUS Foundation through the abandoned and derelict vessel removal grant program.

 

For more information on the application process, visit the BoatUS Foundation BoatUS Foundation website.

Letters of Intent due: August 12, 2024 11:59 PM EDT.

 

Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

A special funding opportunity administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

 

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking applications for approximately $6 million in grants to remove marine debris from coastal communities in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina impacted by Hurricanes Fiona, Ian, and Nicole, and Typhoon Merbok. The program will primarily fund marine debris assessment, removal, restoration, and disposal activities. 

 

For more information on the request for proposals and upcoming applicant webinar, visit the NFWF website.

Full proposals due: July 26, 2024 11:59 PM EDT.

 

Closed Funding Opportunities

Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program

A special funding opportunity from the NOAA Marine Debris Program provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science awarded $1,475,000 in grants to remove derelict fishing traps throughout coastal waterways of the United States while collecting data to prevent future gear loss. Projects may range from $50,000 to $200,000. Funding will be administered by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science through the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program. 

This funding opportunity has closed. An announcement on the awards is coming soon!

Fiscal Year 2024 Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA)

A special funding opportunity from the NOAA Marine Debris Program provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, awarded $84,136 in grants to support communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened and to promote initiatives that investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris across the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. Projects include marine debris prevention, research, monitoring, detection, response, removal, and coordination activities.

This funding opportunity has closed. Check out the 2024 Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies Grants

The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $28 million across two funding opportunities and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that remove marine debris to benefit marine and Great Lakes habitats and communities. Funding will be administered through two competitions:  

  • Fiscal Year 2024 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law The letter of intent (LOI) deadline has passed for this competition and submissions are currently under review. Applicants can expect to receive notification following the LOI review process in mid-December.

Only LOI applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal may submit a full application. Full applications are due February 23, 2024, and applicants may refer to the FY24 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Applicant Resources page for additional resources on  writing and submitting your application. 

  • Fiscal Year 2024 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law The letter of intent (LOI) deadline has passed for this competition and submissions are currently under review. Applicants can expect to receive notification following the LOI review process in mid-January.

Only LOI applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal may submit a full application. Full applications are due March 15, 2024, and applicants may refer to the FY24 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Applicant Resources page for additional resources on writing and submitting your application.

 

For more information on these notices of funding opportunity visit the Removal and Interception Technologies opportunities on Grants.gov.

 

View examples of marine debris projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 and 2023.

 

Please visit the following links for applicant resources for each competition:

Applicant and Grantee Resources

This information is to assist applicants in applying for funding through the NOAA Marine Debris Program. It will also aid both applicants and grantees in understanding and meeting requirements involved in applying for and receiving federal funding.

Applying for federal funding can be complex. The information below helps applicants prepare a strong proposal and prepare for the requirements needed if an award is granted. Many of these documents are referenced in our Federal Funding Opportunities (Requests for Proposals) posted on Grants.gov.

Last updated Mon, 07/15/2024 - 03:15 pm EDT