Awards will prioritize removal of derelict fishing gear, abandoned and derelict vessels, and other medium- and large-scale debris. Projects should also foster public awareness of the effects of marine debris to contribute to the understanding of marine debris composition, distribution, and impacts. NOAA will also fund projects in the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada border regions, subject to additional eligibility criteria. 

The NOAA MDP encourages applicants of all backgrounds, circumstances, perspectives and ways of thinking to apply. NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of veterans, minority-serving institutions, and entities that work in underserved areas. Promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion improves the creativity, productivity, and vitality of the communities in which the program engages. The NOAA MDP included a dedicated priority and evaluation criteria in this FY 2022 notice of funding opportunity to strongly encourage applicants to support the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion when writing their proposals and performing their work.  

The Letter of Intent (LOI) submission period for removal projects will extend from August 2 to September 24, 2021. Applicants who submit successful LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal following the LOI review period. NOAA will select projects through a rigorous and highly competitive merit review process, with awards announced in the late summer of 2022, depending on the availability of appropriations. For more information on FY 2022 grant opportunities, please visit Grants.gov and the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s website.

For more information, please contact Tom.Barry@noaa.gov.