The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce two Notices of Funding Opportunity for Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NOAA will award up to $54 million to support impactful, large marine debris removal projects, as well as the installation of proven marine debris interception technologies, throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, United States territories, and Freely Associated States.

The Marine Debris Removal funding opportunity prioritizes the development of large scale marine debris removal projects. These removal projects should focus on large marine debris, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and other debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand. Applicants may submit letters of intent (LOI) from July 24 to September 27, 2024 for this opportunity.

The second funding opportunity for Marine Debris Interception Technologies focuses on the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of proven marine debris interception technologies that will capture marine debris at or close to known marine debris sources or pathways. These proven technologies may include litter traps, shoreline removal technologies, booms, skimmers, conveyors, floating collection devices, and other technologies that do not require additional research and development. LOIs can be submitted for this opportunity from July 24 to October 09, 2024.

Priority for both opportunities will be placed on proposals that clearly demonstrate the beneficial impacts the project will have on NOAA trust resources and the surrounding coastal environment or community; incorporate marine debris prevention activities that are tied to the appropriate audience for the debris type being removed; and support the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work.

These are two separate funding opportunities, and they have different application requirements. Applicants wishing to compete under both funding opportunities must submit separate applications for each. NOAA expects to fund awards from each competition depending on the merit of submitted proposals. Applicants who submit successful LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal following the LOI review period.

The Marine Debris Program will host an applicant webinar for each competition providing an overview of the process and materials required for submitting an LOI. The webinar schedule is as follows:

• Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on September 27, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. An applicant webinar was offered on August 07, 2024. Please find the recording here.
• Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on October 09, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. An applicant webinar was offered on August 14, 2024. Please find the recording here.

For more information, please visit the Removal and Interception Technologies opportunities on Grants.gov and the NOAA Marine Debris Program's website.