FY2022 Marine Debris Removal | NOAA NOS ORR 2022 2006974

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS ORR 2022 2006974

The FY2022 Marine Debris Removal opportunity is a competitive NOAA grant program run through the NOAA Marine Debris Program under the Marine Debris Act (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.). Its main goal is to fund locally driven projects that assess, remove, and help prevent marine debris in ways that produce long-term, measurable ecological gains. The emphasis is on hands-on, on-the-ground removal work that improves habitat and environmental conditions in coastal areas, waterways, marine environments, and the Great Lakes, with the strongest preference given to projects that target derelict fishing gear and other medium- to large-scale debris that can cause outsized harm to wildlife, habitats, and navigation.

Projects are expected to do more than just haul debris out of the water. NOAA is looking for proposals that can clearly quantify benefits and show lasting outcomes, such as restored habitat function, reduced risks to marine life, or improved conditions for coastal resource use. In addition, the program encourages efforts that build public or stakeholder awareness about where debris comes from and why it matters, strengthen understanding of debris types and where they accumulate, and include practical approaches to reduce the chance that debris will quickly reaccumulate after cleanup. In other words, removal is the centerpiece, but applicants are also expected to connect removal work to learning, outreach, and prevention strategies that support durable conservation results.

Geographically, the competition is broad. Projects may be carried out across U.S. coastal, marine, and Great Lakes areas, including U.S. territories and Freely Associated States. NOAA also allows projects in coastal areas of Mexico or Canada, as long as the applicant can clearly demonstrate that the work benefits U.S. resources, navigation, or the U.S. economy. This reflects the reality that marine debris moves across borders and that removal in one place can protect habitats and infrastructure elsewhere, including within U.S. waters.

Awards under this solicitation are made as cooperative agreements, which typically means NOAA expects substantial involvement during the project period (for example, coordination on technical approaches, deliverables, reporting, or communications). For FY2022, NOAA anticipated up to $5,000,000 total available for Marine Debris Removal projects, with the typical federal share for individual awards falling in the $150,000 to $350,000 range. The published award ceiling is $350,000, and NOAA expected to make around 15 awards. Funding sources include NOAA appropriations to the National Ocean Service (specifically the Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and Restoration budget line) and supplemental funding tied to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-113, Title IX), supporting Marine Debris Act activities in the North American region.

The application process is two-step and time sensitive. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for competitive review, and only those invited based on the LOI can submit a full proposal. LOIs had to be emailed as an attachment to grants.marinedebris@noaa.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 24, 2021. If invited, full applications then had to be submitted through Grants.gov and validated by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 14, 2022. Because of limited federal office staffing, NOAA did not accept hardcopy submissions for either LOIs or full applications, and applicants were directed to follow the LOI and application instructions in the Notice of Funding Opportunity closely.

Key identifiers for this opportunity include the title "FY2022 Marine Debris Removal," the funding opportunity number NOAA NOS ORR 2022 2006974, the agency Department of Commerce (NOAA), the assistance listing reference CFDA 11.999, the opportunity category Discretionary, and the funding instrument type Cooperative Agreement. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification provided in the full notice, so prospective applicants would need to consult the eligibility section of the Notice of Funding Opportunity to confirm organizational fit and any partnership or documentation expectations.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2022 Marine Debris Removal" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.999.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 02, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 14, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA NOS ORR 2022 2006974

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