Funding Opportunities

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking applications for projects that address marine debris issues in the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada border areas. The grant competition will focus on projects that prevent or reduce the occurrence of marine debris, and projects that remove marine debris from the environment. Projects that include collaboration with partners in Mexico and/or Canada will be prioritized.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program offers funding that supports locally driven, community-based marine debris removal projects. These projects benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and wildlife including migratory fish. View removal projects funded in fiscal year 2020.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program provides funding to prevent the introduction of marine debris into the marine and coastal environment. Projects awarded through this grant competition will actively engage and educate a target audience in hands-on programs designed to raise awareness, reduce barriers to marine debris prevention (e.g., lack of access to waste receptacles or alternatives to single-use items), and encourage and support changes in behaviors to ensure long-term prevention of marine debris. View prevention projects funded in fiscal year 2020.

Marine debris is a relatively new field of research, and there are many opportunities to advance understanding of how debris impacts the environment. The NOAA Marine Debris Program offers funding for original, hypothesis-driven research projects focused on the ecological risk assessment, exposure studies, and fate and transport of marine debris. View projects funded in fiscal year 2019.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program supports marine debris projects through its Fishing for Energy partnership. You can read more about the program and find open grant opportunities here.